Internet usage in the United States - statistics & facts

Online behavior in the United States

From learning and working to shopping and dating – the internet has transformed and digitized many aspects of everyday personal and professional life. In the United States, some of the most popular digital activities include the use of e-mail, search engines, video streaming platforms, and social networks. Home to many social media giants, the country sees a particularly high demand for social networking platforms and apps. As of 2021, the number of social network users in the United States stood at 295.5 million, with Facebook remaining the leading social media website.

Cutting the chord: the rise of mobile internet

Seeing that most social media and instant messaging platforms are available via app, it comes as no surprise that internet usage is shifting towards mobile access. As of Q4 2021, almost 50 percent of web traffic in the United States originated from mobile devices, and according to the latest data, the number of mobile internet users in the United States is forecast to reach 300 million by 2026. Smartphone users not only use their mobile devices to browse through TikTok and Instagram but also to make purchases on the go. Mobile retail commerce or m-commerce sales are seeing constant growth in the United States, and so are the numbers of mobile digital buyers.

How COVID-19 impacted internet usage

With schools, offices, shops, restaurants, and nearly all public gatherings called off amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Americans had to move many parts of their lives online. In early 2020, social media platforms, videoconferencing services, and other forms of digital communication saw a significant boost in downloads and engagement, as these platforms became substitutes for personal encounters, during a time of social distancing. COVID-19 not only re-shaped the nature and extent of online usage in the United States, but also highlighted the digital divide. While the offline population in the United States is continuously shrinking, millions of households still lack internet access. As a majority of school children depend on online material to learn, and many workers have to perform their duties remotely, this digital disparity is hitting several demographics particularly hard.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.