Young people in Portugal are significantly reducing their use of social media, reflecting a broader shift toward more conscious and balanced digital habits, according to newly released data and academic research, reports XINHUA.
Figures from Portuguese market research firm Marktest show that social media use among young people has declined by 22 percent over the past two years. The trend extends to the wider population, with average daily time spent on social platforms falling by 13 percent over the past year.
Data released on Friday by Portugal’s National Institute of Statistics (INE) indicates that 79 percent of residents currently use social media—the lowest level recorded since 2017.
Researchers cited by the Portuguese newspaper Expresso say the pattern mirrors developments seen in other countries, pointing to signs of digital saturation as users reassess the role of social media in their daily lives. Increasingly, individuals are adopting “digital detox” practices, including limiting screen time or taking temporary breaks from online platforms.
Experts note that the decline among young people in particular reflects a conscious and sustained effort to establish healthier digital habits.
Patrícia Dias, assistant professor at the Faculty of Human Sciences of the Catholic University of Portugal (UCP), said reducing social media use is often a deliberate decision rather than a short-term reaction. Drawing on her research into digital disconnection among Portuguese adolescents, she explained that many young people choose to cut back after concluding that the benefits of social media no longer outweigh the time demands and psychological pressure involved.
Dias noted that young users frequently report anxiety, compulsive checking behaviors, and social pressure—especially the fear of missing out—which encourages them to set clearer boundaries, reduce usage, or disconnect altogether.
“This is a process of self-regulation,” Dias said. “We are seeing growing awareness among young people of the need to protect their attention and well-being, and to develop more balanced and sustainable patterns of online engagement.”
Despite the decline, analysts emphasize that social media continues to play a significant role in Portuguese society. The current trend, they say, signals not the disappearance of social platforms but a shift toward more selective and intentional use.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
