Kenyans are spending more time on social media compared to internet users in other countries, according to the latest report by GlobalWebIndex. The report shows that on average, Kenyans spend about four hours on social media daily, which is far above the global average of two hours and 19 minutes.
The study was done by GlobalWebIndex, a company that studies internet user behavior, and it revealed that Kenya leads globally in time spent on social media, with countries like Chile and South Africa following behind.
Chileans spend an average of three hours and 39 minutes while South Africans spend about three hours and 36 minutes. Filipinos are also among the top users, averaging three hours and 32 minutes.Interestingly, countries like Japan recorded the lowest social media use.
According to the report, Instagram remains the most popular social media platform globally, with 16.6 per cent of internet users preferring it. WhatsApp follows closely with 16 per cent, while Facebook holds 13.1 per cent.
Other platforms mentioned in the report include WeChat at 12 per cent, TikTok and Douyin at 7.3 per cent, and X, formerly Twitter, at 3.2 per cent.
The data also showed that women tend to spend more time on social media than men, especially among the younger age groups.The report has sparked a lot of discussion in Kenya.
Some people see this as a sign that the country is embracing technology, while others think it could be a problem. One Kenyan social media user argued that too much time is being wasted online and even suggested that social media apps should only be accessible in the evening to increase productivity.
Another user said that the reason for this high social media usage could be the age of the population. Kenya has a younger population compared to Japan, which is made up of mostly older people, so naturally young people will spend more time online.
Another Kenyan saw this trend as a sign that social media will play a big role in the next general elections in 2027, calling it a political venue.
Many Kenyans believe that the rise in social media use is linked to the high unemployment rate. With fewer jobs available, more people are spending time online, which some say is a form of idle behavior.
But others argue that Kenya’s strong online presence reflects a growing digital economy. Social media is used for business, entertainment, sharing news, and connecting with others.
It has also played a big role in political movements, especially among the youth. Social media was one of the main tools used during the protests against the finance bill, which led to President William Ruto backing down from the proposal due to public pressure.
However, this influence has made some leaders uncomfortable. There have been attempts to limit internet freedom, with concerns that the government might try to control what people can post or read online. President Ruto has said that he supports freedom of expression, but he has also mentioned the possibility of internet restrictions, especially when facing criticism online.
This has led to fears that digital rights could be under threat in Kenya as social media continues to grow in power and influence.
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