Social networks play a central role in the lives of modern Cypriot youth. Teenagers aged 14-17 spend an average of about three hours a day on TikTok and more than two hours on Instagram. Their main goal remains entertainment, although 74% of young people also use social networks to obtain news, most often by following the pages of news platforms.
According to the survey results, Instagram remains the absolute leader in popularity – 92% of respondents have an account there.
In second place is Facebook (88%) and only then comes TikTok (53%), which is especially loved by teenagers and adults from 14 to 24 years old. Less common are X (22%), LinkedIn (14%) and Snapchat (11%).
Instagram, according to respondents, has long ceased to be just a social network with photos: thanks to stories, reels and chat, it has become the main channel of communication and information. Young people follow news through short stories and follow links if they want to learn more. TikTok is also gaining popularity - it is called the most addictive platform.
Per day, young people spend:• On TikTok – 111 minutes,• On Instagram – 108 minutes,• On Facebook – 47 minutes,• On X – 26 minutes. Moreover, the younger the user, the more time he spends viewing content.
84% prefer short videos (up to three minutes) to quickly learn new things, 66% watch long videos too. More than half (55%) follow influencers, 77% follow organizations. Half of those surveyed listen to podcasts, usually while doing chores or working. Favorite topics: self-development, social and political issues, history, profession.
Where do they get information from?
The vast majority of respondents named the same social networks as the main source. The main channels for obtaining information were distributed as follows:• social networks (91%),• official news sites (39%),• search engines (33%),• television (26%),• media applications and friends/family (23% each for both options),• podcasts (17%),• radio and educational institutions (13% each),• books and scientific articles (9%),• newspapers and magazines (8%).
Young people admit that even if they talk about “news sites,” most often they follow their pages on social networks, rather than visiting the sites themselves.
Although social networks have become the main source of news, young people doubt their reliability: - 40% admit that it is difficult for them to understand how reliable information is. - 29% believe that there is not enough information on certain topics. - Another 29% complain that there is an overabundance of it. - 88% have already encountered false news and disinformation.
To ensure the veracity of the data, many people compare information from different sources or go to official media websites.
The most trusted are: - official news sites (59%), - social networks (37%), - educational institutions (25%), - podcasts (24%), - books and scientific publications (22%), - television (20%).
What are they interested in and what are they afraid of?
The main interests of young people are: - current events (63%), - entertainment (60%), - work and career (56%), - social issues (52%), - opportunities for youth (49%), - education and training (44%), - politics and technology (41%), - health (40%), - ecology (37%), - entrepreneurship (31%).
Their main concern is the economic situation and lack of prospects. Young Cypriots feel that work only covers basic needs and does not give them the opportunity to build a life like their parents did. Housing remains a particularly acute problem: buying an apartment is perceived as an unattainable dream, and renting seems too expensive, often equal to a month’s salary. Young people are also worried about: stress, aggression and increased crime; problems of migration and integration; social inequality and corruption. Some study participants complained that they experienced inequality and protectionism.
The study was commissioned by the University of Nicosia for the Cyprus Youth Organization. It was attended by 1000 people (equally male and female) aged 14 to 35 years, from all regions of Cyprus: 39% from Nicosia, 29% from Limassol, 16% from Larnaca, 10% from Paphos and 6% from Famagusta.
The text was prepared based on materials from Phileleftheros.
