Israelis are world’s top social media users, poll says

In Israel, 77 percent of adults use social media, making it the world’s top user, according to a Pew poll. 

By Batya Jerenberg, World Israel News

The Pew Research Center released a poll that put Israelis in first place when it comes to using their cellphones to stay connected with others, with 77% of adults using social media. South Korea is a close second at 76%.

In terms of cellphone ownership in general, South Korea, with a population of 50 million-plus, claims that every citizen owns a mobile phone – 95% of them smartphones – while the Jewish state is next on the list. Among the eight million Israelis, 88% own smartphones, 10% own “dumb” phones not connected to the internet, and only 2% do not own any type of mobile phone.

For comparison’s sake, the U.S. comes in sixth place in both categories, with 81% owning smartphones and 70% using social media.

The Pew report included numbers for 27 countries, nine of which are considered emerging economies. It noted that richer countries generally having a much higher incidence of mobile technology ownership and social usage.

Unsurprisingly, younger people in general were much more likely to have a smartphone and use social media than older folk, though the over-50 group has been catching up in the wealthier countries. Level of education also plays a significant role.

What does not seem to make much of a difference, however, is gender. In most countries, said the report, men and women generally use technology at similar rates. Only in India, where very few own smartphones overall, are men more than twice as likely as women to own the devices.

Just over 30,000 people took part in the Pew survey, which took place over a three-month period in mid-2018.