A third (33%) of Quebec adults use social networks as their main source of information, according to a NETendances survey unveiled Wednesday by the Academy of Digital Transformation at Laval University (ATN).

The survey, entitled "Online news, social networks and podcasts" also reveals that the proportion of Quebec adults who obtain their information mainly on social networks is 50% among 25 to 34 year olds and 67% among those aged from 18 to 24 years old.

Respondents said they spend an average of more than three and a half hours a day on social networks: 8% spend an average of less than an hour, 41% spend one to three hours, 26% spend three six hours and 13% spend more than six hours there.

“Nearly a third of Quebec adults, or 30%, mentioned often having difficulty disconnecting from social media. Among young Quebec adults aged 18 to 34, this proportion even reaches 54%, ”said the spokesperson for the NETendances surveys at the ATN, Bruno Guglielminetti.

It is the Facebook platform (85%) that is by far the most used by respondents for entertainment, followed by YouTube (59%) and Instagram (42%).

Other sources of information

Television remains respondents’ preferred media for obtaining information (64%), followed by websites offering information content (43%) and radio (31%).

In addition, 67% of Quebec adults said they trust news and current affairs broadcast on traditional media, while only 25% trust it when it is published on social networks.

The survey also reveals that nearly a third of Quebec adults (30%) are used to listening to podcasts. The six most listened to themes are music (56%), news and current affairs (32%), television and movies (28%), comedy (27%), technology (24%) and society and culture (23%).

The survey was conducted online with 1,027 people, between September 8 and September 22, 2021.