1. What were the top three social media sites, in terms of traffic, in 21-22? List them in order of popularity.

As of 2022, Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp are the top three social media sites in terms of traffic. Facebook has 2.9 billion monthly active users, YouTube has 2.2 billion monthly active users, and WhatsApp has 2 billion monthly active users. 

2. Provide a brief summary of how each social media site works and why people use it.

Facebook is a platform that allows users to create a profile and share photos and videos with other Facebook users. Facebook also allows users to message and communicate with other users on the platform. People typically use Facebook to stay in touch with family and friends. People also use Facebook to share current events. Many Facebook users also use the platform to follow brands and research products. 

YouTube is a platform that allows users to follow creators and watch YouTube Videos. YouTube also allows users to create and share videos. Many people use the platform to comment on and like videos. Many people use YouTube to learn about specific topics by watching YouTube videos. People also use the platform for entertainment. YouTube is a platform that provides information and entertainment about a variety of topics. This quality allows users to find media that suits their interests. 

WhatsApp is a mobile messaging platform. WhatsApp has features that allow users to call, video-call, text, and send voice messages. Most WhatsApp users use the platform to communicate with other users. 

3. What are “demographics” and why is it important in social media?

Demographics are the data and statistics related to people and groups. Demographics are important to social media for several reasons. Social media demographics allow the content on social media to be relevant to its users. Social media platforms analyze data related to demographics to share target content to their users. This creates a more engaging user experience. Demographics are also important on social media as it helps advertisers reach their target audience through social media. By analyzing the demographics of a social media platform, marketers can use social media to promote products to a specific audience. 

4. Explain any demographics that stand out among the three social media sites you listed above. (More popular with a specific age group, are majority of users male or female, married or single, employees or self-employed, etc.)

Around 56% of Facebook users are male and around 44% of Facebook users are female. Most Facebook users are between 25 and 35 years old. Furthermore, 82% of people who have graduated college are Facebook users. Additionally, the countries with the most Facebook users are India and the United States. 

The country with the most YouTube users is India. Around 54% of YouTube users are male and 41% of YouTube users are female. In the United States, around 95% of people between the ages of 18 and 29 use YouTube.  

Around 54% of WhatsApp users are male and 44% of WhatsApp users are female. With over 390.1 million monthly active users, India is the country with the most WhatsApp users. Most WhatsApp users are between the ages of 26 and 35. Over 27% of WhatsApp users are part of this age group. 

5. On average, how much time do users spend on each social media site during a day, week, or month? Provide a resource that supports your answer.

According to “10 Average Time Spent on Facebook 2022 Stats: How Much Time Do People Really Spend Renolon” the average user spends 33 minutes per day on Facebook. Users spend an average of 3 hours and 51 minutes per week or 16 hours and 30 minutes per month on Facebook.  

“How Much Time Do People Spend on Social Media in 2022? Techjury” states that on average, WhatsApp users spend 18.6 hours monthly using the platform. This means that WhatsApp users spend 36 minutes per day or 4.2 hours per week using the platform. 

“How Much Time Do People Spend on Social Media in 2022? Techjury” also reveals that on average, users spend over 19 minutes per day using YouTube. Additionally, “How Much Time Do People Spend on Social Media in 2022? Techjury” states that users spend close to 24 hours monthly on YouTube. 

6. Which of the three social media networks is growing the fastest? Why do you think that is?

Of Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp, YouTube is the fastest-growing social media platform. YouTube is a growing platform and is increasingly gaining users. This is due to the variety of content available on YouTube. The recent growth of YouTube can also be attributed to the addition of YouTube Shorts. YouTube Shorts allows users to view and post short videos on the platform. Similar features have been added to many social media platforms due to the popularity of short videos. 

7. How are the majority of visitors accessing these three sites (computer, mobile device, tablet)?

Most visitors access Facebook using mobile devices such as smartphones. WhatsApp users also primarily access the platform using both Android and iPhone mobile devices. Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets are also used by most visitors to YouTube. 

Sources: 

“10 Average Time Spent on Facebook Stats in 2022 (New Data).” Renolon, 29 Sept. 2022, https://www.renolon.com/average-time-spent-on-facebook/#:~:text=The%20average%20time%20spent%20on%20Facebook%20per%20day%20is%2033,social%20media%2C%20adults%20are%20too.  

“10 YouTube Statistics That You Need to Know in 2022.” Oberlo, Oberlo, 4 Oct. 2022, https://www.oberlo.com/blog/youtube-statistics#:~:text=90%20percent%20of%20people%20say,channel%20for%20digital%20video%20consumption.  

“63 Facebook Statistics You Need to Know in 2022 – Omnicore.” Omnicore Agency, 2 Aug. 2022, https://www.omnicoreagency.com/facebook-statistics/#:~:text=The%20largest%20demographic%20group%20of,group%20on%20Facebook%20(4.8%25).  

Barnhart, Brent. “Social Media Demographics to Inform Your Brand’s Strategy in 2022.” Sprout Social, 11 Aug. 2022, https://sproutsocial.com/insights/new-social-media-demographics/.  

Greenwood, Will. “The State of Social Media in 2022.” Browser Media, 26 May 2022, https://browsermedia.agency/blog/state-of-social-media-2022/#:~:text=All%20channels%20have%20seen%20an,of%20their%20social%20media%20strategy.  

“How Much Time Do People Spend on Social Media in 2022?” Techjury, https://techjury.net/blog/time-spent-on-social-media/.  

SEJ STAFF Shelley Walsh May 30, 2022 ⋅ 11 min read SEJ ST. “The Top 10 Social Media Sites & Platforms 2022.” Search Engine Journal, 12 Aug. 2022, https://www.searchenginejournal.com/social-media/biggest-social-media-sites/.  

“Top 10 Whatsapp Statistics You Should Know in 2022.” Oberlo, Oberlo, 12 Oct. 2022, https://www.oberlo.com/blog/whatsapp-statistics.  

“WhatsApp 2022 User Statistics: How Many People Use Whatsapp?” Backlinko, 5 Jan. 2022, https://backlinko.com/whatsapp-users#whatsapp-gender-demographics.  

“Why Do People Use Facebook? [Updated Aug 2022].” Oberlo, Oberlo, https://www.oberlo.com/statistics/why-do-people-use-facebook.  

“• Youtube by the Numbers (2022): Stats, Demographics & Fun Facts.” Omnicore Agency, 21 Aug. 2022, https://www.omnicoreagency.com/youtube-statistics/.