TikTok (Image courtesy of Pixabay)
SEOUL, March 10 (Korea Bizwire) — A new survey has revealed that many social media users primarily access platforms to kill time, with TikTok showing the strongest tendency toward habitual, passive consumption.
According to the “2024 Social Media User Survey” conducted by the Korea Press Foundation, 48.7% of TikTok users cited “killing time or habitual use” as their reason for using the platform. The survey polled 3,000 South Koreans aged 19 and above, allowing multiple responses.
Among 35 digital platforms surveyed – including social networks like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), messaging apps like KakaoTalk and Line, video platforms like YouTube and Naver TV, online communities, and blogs – TikTok ranked highest for time-killing and habitual use.
This behavior was most prevalent among TikTok users in their 30s at 54.8%, followed by users in their 60s at 52.5%, and those in their 70s at 51.5%. The primary motivation for using TikTok, cited by 64.6% of users, was “accessing entertaining information and content.”
The study found that 52.2% of TikTok users access the platform at least once daily. The platform’s largest user demographic is the 19-29 age group at 33.5%, followed by users in their 30s at 28.2%.
Instagram ranked second among social media platforms for passive consumption, with 45.3% of users reporting they use the platform to pass time or out of habit. Across all 35 digital platforms surveyed, 54.3% of users indicated they engage with social media primarily for time-killing or habitual purposes.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
