The great social media exodus

For over a decade, social media usage climbed relentlessly, transforming how billions communicate and consume content online. But new data reveals a dramatic shift, indicating that the era of explosive growth is over. By 2025, daily usage has plateaued while annual growth rates have collapsed, signalling market saturation. User behaviour has fundamentally transformed toward video-first consumption, yet as these platforms reach maturity, concerns are mounting, particularly around mental health impact among teenagers. Tanya Pandey breaks down the new normal.