The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
A global survey conducted in April 2026 sheds light on the main reasons people aged 16 and older continue engaging with social media platforms.
Staying connected with friends and family emerged as the top motivator, cited by nearly half of respondents at 49.0 percent. Entertainment and boredom relief also play a significant role, with 39.3 percent using platforms to pass time, 34.2 percent turning to them for news, and 30.1 percent browsing general content such as articles and videos.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel
Beyond personal connection and leisure, commercial and social interactions also drive substantial engagement. Around 27.6 percent log on to keep up with trending conversations, while more than 26 percent use social media to discover products to buy or gather lifestyle inspiration. Meanwhile, watching sports, tuning into live streams, and meeting new people each attract the attention of over 22 percent of users.
Rounding out the list are sharing opinions, following favourite brands, professional networking, keeping tabs on influencers, and avoiding the fear of missing out — each cited by between 19 and 22 percent of respondents.
