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At least 36pc of Kenyans spend more than six hours on social media daily
More than 95 percent used their phones to access social media platforms, with WhatsApp standing out as the most widely used platform for its versatility.
More than a third of Kenyans spend more than six hours on social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, TikTok, and YouTube.
A new survey by global research firm GeoPoll found that 36 percent of respondents in Kenya spend more than six hours daily on social media. The survey sampled 3,945 respondents from Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria between July 22 and 25, 2025.
Kenyans spent their time on platforms including Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
“The survey reveals how users allocate their time on social media...The majority, accounting for 35 percent, spend between three and six hours daily on these platforms,” said GeoPoll.
“Following closely, 31 percent of users engage for 1 to 3 hours.”
The poll established that 20 percent of respondents in Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria spent six to nine hours on social media, while nine percent dedicated nine to 12 hours.
“In addition, 20 percent of users report spending six to nine hours on social media, while nine percent dedicate nine to 12 hours,” said GeoPoll.
“A smaller segment, around seven percent, spends more than half of their day on social media. This data highlights the significant amount of time many individuals invest in these online interactions.”
More than 95 percent used their phones to access social media platforms, with WhatsApp standing out as the most widely used platform for its versatility.
“The majority of respondents (91 percent) use WhatsApp primarily for personal and group messaging, reinforcing its role as a central tool for everyday communication. Additionally, 79 percent of users share daily moments via status updates, while 78 percent use it for voice and video calls, showcasing its multifunctional capabilities.”
Facebook followed with 84 percent using it for keeping in touch with friends and family, 71 percent for discovering news and current events, and 56 percent use it for making new friends.
Streaming platform YouTube ranked third in dominance, with an overall use of 80 percent.
More than eight people (88 percent) use it for entertainment, including watching videos and shorts, 87 percent for educational purposes, and 71 percent for news.
TikTok’s use stood at 72 percent, with 81 percent enjoying and sharing videos, 74 percent for entertainment, and 69 percent for learning new skills and hacks.
The respondents said social media had a positive impact on their overall well-being and mental health (60 percent), with an additional 23 percent saying it was somewhat positive.
“The recent study also reveals that more than half of the respondents (53 percent) have taken a break from social media at some point due to its negative impact on their well-being, while 48 percent have never paused from social media usage,” added GeoPoll.
