The most popular social media platforms among Finns were Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat. Out of messenger applications, WhatsApp ranked highest, leaving behind both YouTube and Instagram in terms of daily usage. Among the younger population, the top three most popular social media networks in 2019 were WhatsApp, YouTube, and Instagram. Furthermore, a study on digital media usage in Finland in 2019 revealed that the share of individuals using social media for more than two hours per day was several times higher among 15 to 24-year-olds (20 percent) compared to other age groups. In all age groups, WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube were the most frequently used platforms, with 47 percent of individuals using WhatsApp messaging services several times a day. However, 37 percent of Finns estimated in a 2020 survey that their Facebook usage has decreased over the past year.
As wearables and mobile devices take over from traditional electronic devices, it comes as no surprise that social networks are accessed increasingly via mobile phone. According to the Apple mobile application data, instant messenger apps, together with Facebook, dominated the most downloaded charts. Moreover, a recent Nordic survey found that video and photo platforms Instagram and Snapchat were both used with a smartphone by over 90 percent of respondents. For YouTube, both desktop and smartphone use were equally popular.
During the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in 2020, media consumption generally increased in Finland. Based survey results from March 2020, almost one third of Finns estimated that their social media usage grew due to the pandemic. Daily usage of WhatsApp and Instagram increased the most after the implementation of COVID-19 restriction measures. While most social media platforms increased their popularity, daily usage of Facebook, internet forums, blogs, and LinkedIn decreased during spring 2020.
