Daily time spent with selected media among adults in Canada 2023

As of the third quarter of 2023, Canadians spent an average of one hour and 17 minutes per day using social media and more than six hours per day using the internet in general. TV consumption was also high at over three hours, while Canadians devoted less time to music streaming or gaming activities.

Internet usage trends in Canada

Canada’s online population has steadily increased over the past two decades. In 2024, the number of internet users in Canada surpassed a record 36.7 million, which translates to approximately 96.5 percent of the Canadian population using the internet for information, communication, and entertainment. Given that most traditional media formats can now be accessed online, Canadians have gradually shifted from TV, radio, and magazine consumption towards digital channels. That said, some forms of analog media and entertainment experienced a surge in demand following the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020.

What are the leading social media platforms in Canada?

Social media has become one of the most popular online activities among Canadian internet users. In 2024, Canada’s social network user penetration stood at 94 percent, and according to the latest forecasts, this figure will surpass 98 percent by 2028. This rapid increase in social media usage is spearheaded by rising mobile adoption and the ever-increasing selection of digital platforms that Canadians can use to upload photos, send direct messages, or simply pass the time. Facebook was the leading mobile social media website in Canada as of 2024, outpacing Pinterest and Instagram by a large margin of visits.