When making reference to media sites, the first that pops into mind is Facebook (FB), then Instagram (IG), followed by Twitter. This article zeroes in on Facebook, when looking into demography that indicates countries with highest number of users.
A country that lands at the top bracket for having the most number of FB users, immediately draws negative impression. After all, rising numbers constantly make experts and observers of that country worry if social media has a good or bad effect to its people. Not a few have expressed views that excessive use of social media sites like Facebook and Instagram, promotes narcissism, instills discontentment with one’s real life conditions, as well as make people less interested in actual social interaction.
Actually, there is another side to every country’s story on why the advent of social media became an important part of people’s lives. This can be gleaned by examining not only the number of users but also the entire population and the prevalent conditions in that country.
A Closer Look at Countries Ranked as Heavy FB Users
As of January 2019, India leads the pack of countries with the highest number of Facebook users, numbering around 300 million. The US trails behind for having the second highest number of FB users at 210 million.
Should India be Worried about the Effects of Social Media on Its Citizens?
India’s number of FB users must be compared to India’s total populace in order to get a clearer picture. India has more than 1.31 billion people; denoting therefore that the current 300 million users of FB in India, represent only 21% of the country’s entire populace. When compared to that of the US, India’s proportion of FB users is lower. It turns out that out of America’s 328,392,623 population, 210 million or 63.94% of the American populace are into Facebook use.
The government of India is not too concerned, because the high numbers denote that more and more of their nationals are enjoying Internet connectivity. Majority of the rest, are still hoping to experience the same kind of enjoyment.
Should the High Percentage of Users be a Cause for Worry in the US?
Not really, since a recent PEW research revealed that about 68% of America’s Facebook users are adults. Of those adults, 74% visit FB at least once as a daily routine, as many use the site in keeping up to date with current news. Although nearly half of American teens use Facebook, this particular group no longer dominates FB’s landscape.
How About Third-World Developing Countries Ranked As Heavy FB Users?
Now let us use a smaller country like the Philippines as example, which has a current population of 109 million. Based on the latest stats, the Philippines ranks as the 6th country to have the highest number of FB participants; accounting for 75 million of its population. This Is quite significant because as it turns out, the Philippines has a greater percentage of 68.88 % of FB users, which is higher when compared to US’ 63.94% and to India’s 21%.
Report: Filipinos still world's top social media user
Report: Filipinos still world's top social media user www.cnn.ph
Posted by CNN Philippines on Friday, February 1, 2019
One significant consideration taken into account is that a great number of Filipino families are dispersed throughout the globe as immigrants. Moreover, a large part of the Philippine population comprises Overseas Filipino Workers; whilst a great many are engaged in various types of outsourced processes or services commissioned by foreign businesses. Even a simple housewife can find work-at-home jobs by reselling products of online businesses like grain and gram; to which having numerous FB connections is definitely, highly beneficial.