Top 50 Social Media Sites for Young Adults in 2025

Young adults, primarily those aged 18–29 (Gen Z and younger Millennials), are a driving force in shaping social media trends, favoring platforms that offer visual content, interactivity, and community engagement. I’ve been fascinated by how these platforms evolve to capture the attention of this demographic, blending entertainment, commerce, and connection in innovative ways.

Determining the top 50 social media sites for young adults in 2025 involves analyzing usage, engagement, and demographic data from recent sources. Below, I’ve curated a ranked list of 50 social media platforms that resonate most with young adults, based on their monthly active users (MAUs), popularity among 18–29-year-olds, and relevance to current trends, drawing from sources like Statista, Pew Research, and DataReportal as of May 2025. Let’s dive into which platforms young adults are flocking to and why they dominate this vibrant digital landscape.

Ever wondered where young adults hang out online in 2025? From TikTok’s viral videos to Reddit’s niche communities, it’s a dynamic lineup. Ready to explore the top 50 social media sites for young adults?

Social media is the pulse of Gen Z and Millennials, with 93% of 18–29-year-olds active daily. I’ve tracked the platforms they love most. Let’s uncover the 50 best social media sites for young adults in 2025.

Methodology and Context

To compile the top 50 social media sites for young adults, I prioritized:

• Usage by 18–29-Year-Olds: High adoption rates among Gen Z and Millennials, per Pew Research (2024) and Statista (2025).
• Monthly Active Users (MAUs): Global and U.S. user bases, sourced from DataReportal, Shopify, and Buffer (2025).
• Engagement: Time spent, interaction rates, and platform-specific features appealing to young adults, per Sprout Social and Backlinko.
• Trends: Growth in short-form video, e-commerce, and emerging platforms like Threads, per HubSpot and Exploding Topics.
• Diversity: Inclusion of global platforms (e.g., WeChat, Xiaohongshu) and niche networks (e.g., BeReal, Fizz), per AppyPie and Tagembed.

Notes: Rankings emphasize platforms with strong 18–29 penetration, especially in the U.S., but include global players. MAUs are approximate, based on October 2024–May 2025 data. Some platforms (e.g., QQ) are declining but remain relevant. Platforms with under 100M MAUs are included if they show significant young adult engagement or growth.

Top 50 Social Media Sites for Young Adults in 2025

1. TikTok (1.9B MAUs, 62% of U.S. 18–29-year-olds): Short-form videos dominate; 36.7% of users are 18–24. Top for virality and trends.
2. Instagram (2B MAUs, 78%): Visual platform with Stories, Reels; 31.7% of users 18–24, ideal for shopping (29% of purchases).
3. YouTube (3.9B MAUs, 93%): Video hub for entertainment, tutorials; 48.7 min/day average use, 18–24 focus.
4. Snapchat (850M MAUs, 65%): Disappearing stories, AR filters; 40% Gen Z users, high engagement (3x daily use).
5. Facebook (3.07B MAUs, 67%): Still relevant for groups, marketplace; 31.1% of users 25–34, less with 18–24 (22 min/day).
6. Reddit (1.1B MAUs, 44%): Niche communities, discussions; 46% of U.S. users 18–29, growing fast.
7. X (formerly Twitter) (619M MAUs, 42%): Real-time news, memes; 36.6% users 25–34, 35% engage with brands.
8. Pinterest (553M MAUs, 45%): Visual discovery; 28.6% users 18–24, female-skewed, drives purchases.
9. WhatsApp (2B MAUs, 25%): Messaging with group appeal; strong globally, less dominant in U.S. among youth.
10. Threads (320M MAUs): Meta’s text-based platform, surging with 1M daily signups; 18–24-year-olds lead growth.
11. Discord (150M+ MAUs): Gaming, communities; 30% of Gen Z users, private servers popular.
12. BeReal (100M+ MAUs, 12%): Daily unfiltered photo posts; 12% of U.S. 18–29 users, niche college appeal.
13. LinkedIn (386M MAUs, 32%): Professional networking; growing with young adults for career content.
14. WeChat (1.34B MAUs): China’s “everything app”; younger urban users for social, e-commerce.
15. Xiaohongshu (RedNote) (300M+ MAUs): Lifestyle, e-commerce; surging with U.S. Gen Z post-TikTok ban fears.
16. Telegram (900M MAUs): Encrypted messaging; appeals to privacy-conscious youth, 200K group sizes.
17. Twitch (140M MAUs): Live streaming, gaming; skews 18–24, ideal for creators.
18. Tumblr (135M MAUs): Microblogging, fandoms; creatives aged 18–29, niche but loyal.
19. Lemon8 (100M+ MAUs): ByteDance’s photo platform; 18.7M downloads in 2024, Gen Z lifestyle focus.
20. Noplace (10M+ MAUs): Gen Z text-based app, Myspace-like; early traction with 18–24-year-olds.
21. Fizz (5M+ MAUs): Anonymous college network; 50K listings in marketplace, 18–22 focus.
22. Bluesky (35M MAUs): Decentralized platform; 18–29 users adopt for customizable feeds.
23. Airchat (5M+ MAUs): Audio-based, X-like; early adopter 18–24 crowd for voice notes.
24. Partiful (5M+ MAUs): Event planning; Gen Z party organizers, $27M funding.
25. Likee (200M MAUs): Short-video, gamified; Asia/Middle East youth, creative challenges.
26. Douyin (700M MAUs): China’s TikTok; young urban users, e-commerce integration.
27. Weibo (590M MAUs): China’s trend hub; younger, trend-focused 18–29 users.
28. Kuaishou (Kwai) (600M MAUs): Short-video, rural appeal; growing with global youth.
29. Badoo (100M+ MAUs): Dating-focused; 18–29 users in Latin America, Asia.
30. MeetMe (100M+ MAUs): Social discovery, live streaming; young adults seeking connections.
31. Quora (100M+ MAUs): Q&A platform; 18–29 users engage in niche discussions.
32. LiveJournal (100M+ MAUs): Blogging, community; nostalgic appeal for 18–29 creatives.
33. Kiwibox (5M+ MAUs): Teen/young adult network; smaller but dedicated U.S. base.
34. Ning (5M+ MAUs): Custom networks; niche communities for 18–29 interests.
35. Vimeo (100M+ MAUs): Video for creatives; young filmmakers, artists engage.
36. Bilibili (400M MAUs): China’s YouTube-like platform; Gen Z for anime, gaming.
37. Rumble (100M+ MAUs): Video, free-speech focus; growing with U.S. 18–29 conservatives.
38. Ten Ten (6M+ MAUs): Walkie-talkie app; teen/young adult voice messaging.
39. Jagat (10M MAUs): Location-based; 18–24 users for real-world meetups.
40. Quest App (5M+ MAUs): Skill-building; 18–29 job seekers, employability focus.
41. YouNow (5M+ MAUs): Live streaming; young adults for fan engagement.
42. Kik Messenger (5M+ MAUs): Free texting; 18–24 users for casual chats.
43. ShareChat (100M+ MAUs): India’s regional content; young adults for local videos.
44. Viber (100M+ MAUs): Messaging, calls; global 18–29 users, less U.S. traction.
45. Line (100M+ MAUs): Japan’s messaging app; young adults in Asia for stickers, chats.
46. VK (Vkontakte) (100M+ MAUs): Russia’s social network; 18–29 for music, groups.
47. Spotify (100M+ MAUs): Music with social features; 18–29 for playlists, sharing.
48. QQ (500M MAUs): Declining but used in China; 18–29 for legacy messaging.
49. Tagged (5M+ MAUs): Social discovery; smaller 18–29 dating, friendship base.
50. Hi5 (5M+ MAUs): Niche social network; 18–29 in select markets for connections.

Key Insights and Trends

• Dominance of Short-Form Video: TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Snapchat lead due to 80% of Gen Z seeking entertaining content, spending 34 hours/month on TikTok alone.
• Gen Z Preferences: 93% use YouTube, 78% Instagram, 65% Snapchat, per 2024 Pew Research; platforms like Reddit (44%) and BeReal (12%) gain for authenticity.
• Emerging Platforms: Threads (320M MAUs) and Xiaohongshu grow fast, with Threads adding 1M users daily, driven by X’s volatility.
• Global Influence: WeChat, Douyin, and Weibo dominate in China, while Bilibili and Likee appeal to young adults in Asia for niche content.
• Niche Communities: Discord, Fizz, and Bluesky cater to specific interests (gaming, college, decentralization), with 46% of 18–29-year-olds on Reddit for discussions.

What’s Next for You

Navigating the top 50 social media sites for young adults in 2025 is like mapping the digital playground where 5.31B users, including 90% of U.S. 18–29-year-olds, spend 18+ hours weekly, per DataReportal.

Read our blog on How Do Teen Influencers Describe Their Experiences?

I’ve been energized by how platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and emerging players like Threads shape culture and commerce, with 63.9% of the world online. Jumping on every platform wastes time; focusing on where your interests lie—whether TikTok’s trends or Reddit’s debates—maximizes connection. Will you scroll aimlessly, or engage where young adults thrive?

Here’s how to act:

• Explore platforms. Download TikTok, Instagram, or BeReal to join 78% of Gen Z; test Threads or Fizz for new vibes.
• Engage smart. Create content on YouTube or Reddit, where 93% and 44% of young adults are active, to build your brand.
• Stay updated. Follow Statista or Sprout Social for shifts, like TikTok’s 954M MAUs or Bluesky’s rise.

Social media is where young adults connect and create. Why it matters is about influence and opportunity. Dive into these 50 platforms today to find your digital home.