Meta, the company that owns Facebook, Instagram, and other social media apps, used to be the biggest name in the game. It shaped how people talked, shared, and scrolled. But now, things are changing fast, and it looks like Meta might be losing its grip.
A survey by ExpressVPN asked 4,000 people from the US, UK, France, and Germany about how they used Meta’s apps in 2025. The results? A big gap between generations, new social media habits, and maybe even a future where Meta isn’t on top anymore. Is Facebook still the king, or is it starting to fade away?
Facebook at 21: Still Strong or Falling Apart?
Facebook just turned 21 years old. That’s a huge milestone for a person—but for a social media platform, it’s ancient. While Facebook still has a lot of users (more than 60% of people in the survey use it), it’s losing its younger crowd.
Younger people don’t see Facebook as cool anymore. They’ve moved to Instagram, TikTok, and other apps that feel more fun and fast-paced. Meanwhile, Facebook is becoming a place for older users, filled with ads and debates that younger people don’t care about. Facebook used to be for everyone. Now? Not so much.
Who’s Still Using Facebook? The Age Gap
The survey shows a clear difference in how different age groups use Facebook:
- Gen Z (18-24 years old): Only 35% use Facebook actively. Another 33% have an account but rarely check it, and nearly 20% have never even signed up. The ones who do use it mostly just want to keep in touch with family (44%) or watch funny videos and memes (40%).
- Millennials (25-34 years old): More than half (54%) still use Facebook, but they also spend time on other apps for news, entertainment, and chatting.
- Older Generations (35+ years old): Facebook is most popular with people over 35. Around 72% of those aged 35-44 still use it, and numbers stay strong for those between 45 and 65. For them, Facebook is still a daily habit and a way to stay connected with friends and family.
The problem? Social media is driven by young people. If Facebook keeps losing them, its future will not look great.
Why Young People Are Leaving Facebook
The survey gives a few reasons why younger users are moving on:
- They Like Other Apps More: Gen Z and young Millennials prefer TikTok and Instagram. They like the faster, more visual style.
- Facebook Feels Old: A lot of young people just don’t see a reason to use Facebook. It seems slow and outdated.
- Too Many Ads: There are ads everywhere, making it annoying to scroll through.
- Boring Features: TikTok has cool videos, Instagram has stories and reels, but Facebook does not have anything new or exciting for younger users.
This isn’t just a trend—it’s a big warning sign. If young people keep ignoring Facebook, it could become a platform only older people use.
Even Older Users Are Losing Interest
Even Facebook’s most loyal users are starting to pull back. The survey found that people of all ages are spending less time on the platform. Their reasons?
- It Feels Less Important: Many are realizing they don’t really need Facebook anymore.
- Too Many Ads: Just like younger users, older people are tired of seeing constant ads.
- Friends & Family Are Using It Less: If the people you care about aren’t posting as much, there’s less reason to check Facebook.
This drop in interest isn’t happening overnight, but it’s a slow decline. And if older users start leaving too, Facebook will be in serious trouble.
Facebook Is Becoming a Place for Browsing, Not Talking
The way people use Facebook has changed. Instead of posting updates and chatting with friends, more users just scroll through their feeds without really interacting. They check out news, watch videos, or look at memes—but they’re not as social as before.
That’s a big problem. Social media thrives on people being engaged. If Facebook is turning into a place where people just browse without talking, it could lose its sense of community.
Facebook’s Community Is Fading
There is another big issue. Facebook doesn’t feel like a place to connect anymore. While some people still use it for groups and discussions, many feel like it causes more arguments than real conversations.
Younger users, especially, don’t think of Facebook as a place for friendships. Some even say it’s too negative and full of drama. If Meta doesn’t fix this, Facebook’s decline could happen even faster.
Can Facebook Survive?
So, what’s next? The survey says about 35% of users believe Facebook can turn things around, but only if Meta makes big changes.
People want fewer ads, better privacy, and a platform that actually serves a purpose. Younger users want fun, fresh content. Older users want something simple and trustworthy. Right now, Facebook isn’t fully delivering either.
Meta has reinvented itself before, so it’s not impossible. But small changes won’t cut it this time. Facebook has to listen to what people want and make real improvements—or risk becoming irrelevant.
Social media is always changing. Whether Facebook stays in the game or fades into the past depends on how well Meta adapts. The clock is ticking.
