Facebook just hit a major milestone: 21 years old. It’s the legal drinking age in the United States, and it’s a symbol of adulthood. But as the platform matures, questions about its relevance and role in the social media ecosystem have never been more pressing. Is Facebook still a place to connect and share, or has it been overshadowed by more modern platforms like Threads and Instagram?

VPN RICE, a leading VPN provider, surveyed 4,000 people in the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany to understand how different generations use—or no longer use—Facebook. The results show that the platform is at a crossroads. Some users are staying loyal, while others are turning to newer, safer, or more relevant alternatives that better suit their current needs.

Against this backdrop, TikTok—a formidable social media competitor—is facing a potential ban in the United States over national security concerns. Does this give Facebook an opportunity to win back younger users, or have those users really left for good? At the same time, Meta’s decision to cut back on censorship raises new concerns about the spread of misinformation and trust in the platform. These factors, along with the changing habits of its users, will play a major role in shaping Facebook’s future.

Here are some numbers that illustrate who’s still with Facebook, who’s left, and what direction the platform will take in the years to come.

Facebook at 21: A milestone or a midlife crisis?

Mark Zuckerberg’s journey from Harvard student with an idea to connect with his dorm mates to founder of a social media empire is legendary in the tech world. From a simple tool for college students to socialize, Facebook has grown into a platform that has shaped the way billions of people interact online. It has not only fueled the age of connectivity, but also created trends like viral news, global community, and digital self-expression.

Yet, after 21 years, Facebook is less a pioneer and more a giant facing challenges. Its role as the leading social network is under threat from the rise of rivals like Instagram (also owned by Meta), TikTok, X, Snapchat, and even newcomers like Threads and Bluesky. Young users who once found Facebook indispensable have now migrated to other platforms, seeing Facebook as a space for older generations, filled with ads and information clutter.
Content moderation adjustments
Meta’s recent decision to end its partnership with independent fact-checking organizations has been controversial. These partners were initially brought in to help Meta tackle the flood of fake news and misinformation on the platform, providing a layer of assurance about the credibility of the information users consume. However, with the departure of fact-checkers, many are concerned that Facebook will become a breeding ground for fake news and harmful content. The lack of third-party oversight could cause the platform to lose trust from users who are already skeptical about its authenticity.
TikTok’s challenge, Facebook’s opportunity?

At the same time, TikTok—one of Facebook’s most formidable competitors—is facing major challenges. The US government has increased pressure on parent company ByteDance over national security concerns, and the possibility of a TikTok ban in the US is becoming more apparent than ever. But the question is: Will a TikTok ban really help Facebook regain its footing, or is the platform too far removed from what younger generations are looking for? For Generation Z, TikTok is more than just an app, it’s a way of life. Moreover, if TikTok is taken out of the picture, platforms like Instagram or Snapchat could quickly fill the void, making Facebook’s chances even more insignificant.
Is Facebook Still Engaging Users?
Still, Facebook’s influence on its current user base is undeniable, although the extent depends on region and age group. More than 60% of users globally are still actively using the platform. In the UK, that figure is as high as 73%, while the US is at 68%. However, in France and Germany, usage is just 58% and 49% respectively, with many admitting that they are less engaged than before. Specifically, 26% of Germans and 23% of French people say they hardly use their accounts anymore.

These data suggest that, while Facebook still retains a significant user base, the decline in engagement—especially among younger generations—is an undeniable trend.

Why are people leaving Facebook?

Facebook engagement is falling across all age groups, albeit at different rates. 32% of 18- to 24-year-olds and 35% of 25- to 34-year-olds report that they have significantly reduced their Facebook use, with 38% and 37% saying they have cut back somewhat.

Middle-aged users aren’t far behind. Among the 35–44 age group, 33% have significantly reduced their time on the platform, and another 34% say they’ve reduced it somewhat. Meanwhile, the 45–54 age group shows a slower but still noticeable disconnect, with 24% significantly reducing their use and 32% reducing it somewhat.
Older users, however, have been more consistent. Among those aged 55–65, 45% say their Facebook use has stayed the same, and only 23% report a significant decrease.
How Facebook Use Has Changed: Less Status Updates, More Browsing

While engagement on Facebook has been declining across generations, the way people use the platform has also changed significantly. For many, Facebook is no longer the primary place to share life updates or maintain regular social connections. Instead, the platform is increasingly a tool for passive browsing or intermittent use.
Older users, particularly those aged 55–65, remain the most consistent users, with 51% reporting that their usage patterns have not changed over time. However, even among this group, 22% report that they use Facebook less for social connection than before, and 20% admit to rarely posting personal updates. This reflects a clear trend: while older users still value Facebook, they are increasingly withdrawing from active content contributions, moving more into the role of audience than creator.
Facebook’s role as a community platform is shrinking

Among Millennials (aged 25–34), 38% admit that they only occasionally use Facebook to socialize, while 28% say the platform does not affect their sense of belonging. At the same time, while 34% still see Facebook as essential for connecting with like-minded people, this number represents a slow but clear decline in Facebook's role as a community hub.

For Boomers (ages 55–65), Facebook still holds a slightly higher value as a place to stay connected to social networks. However, 32% of this group said Facebook no longer plays a role in maintaining community connections, and only 20% considered it an essential part of their lives. Even among the most loyal users, signs of drifting away from the platform are starting to emerge.
Meanwhile, Gen Z and the younger Millennials are even less convinced of Facebook’s community value. Only 23% of Gen Z users (ages 18–24) said Facebook was essential for building connections, while 34% said the platform had no role for them. Notably, 13% of this group saw Facebook as a source of division rather than unity, underscoring the growing discontent among younger users.
As Facebook’s role as a community hub fades, the question is: where will these users find connection? Let’s explore the new trends.
What’s replacing Facebook? Social media preferences across generations
Millennials lean toward Instagram and TikTok
For Gen Z (ages 18–24), TikTok and Instagram are dominating the social media landscape. TikTok leads with 75% of users in this age group, while 74% use Instagram regularly. Snapchat also holds its own, with 64% of Gen Z using it for quick and frequent communication.
In contrast, Facebook is falling behind Gen Z’s expectations. Only 31% think Facebook is still competitive, while 32% think the platform is only holding its ground because of additional features like Groups and Marketplace. Notably, 26% feel Facebook has become outdated, reflecting why younger platforms are dominating.
Millennials: Social and Professional Balance
Millennials (ages 25–34) take a more balanced approach, using different platforms to meet both their social and professional needs. Instagram still leads the pack, with 74% using it regularly, followed by TikTok at 60%. LinkedIn is also prominent among this group, with 25% using it for professional networking and career development.
Facebook still holds some relevance for Millennials, but the purpose of use has changed. While 40% feel Facebook is keeping up with competitors, 25% think the platform is outdated, and 24% see Facebook’s relevance as largely driven by features like Groups and Marketplace. This shows that Millennials are diversifying their online habits, using Facebook for practical purposes while also turning to other platforms for content engagement or career development.
Older users are loyal but still exploring
For users aged 45–54, 35% still think Facebook remains competitive, but 23% believe the platform’s appeal is tied to its add-on features. Among users aged 55–65, only 30% see Facebook as innovative, while 23% are undecided.
Older users, however, are increasingly exploring other platforms. LinkedIn attracts 25% of users aged 45–54 and 19% of users aged 55–65, demonstrating its appeal even to those no longer working in the corporate world. Platforms like X and Reddit also attract 10–31% of users in this group, thanks to their real-time updates and community-led discussions.
However, Facebook remains a familiar tool for many older users. Features like Groups and the ability to stay socially connected remain valuable, even as interest in the platform wanes. The big question is, can Facebook simultaneously serve this loyal user base while meeting the rising expectations of younger generations?
Users want fewer ads and more control over their privacy and data on Facebook
What do users really want from Facebook? The answer is straightforward: simplicity, trust, and relevance. Across all age groups, users demand fewer ads and more privacy. They want a platform with a clear purpose—not cluttered with clutter or dominated by irrelevant content.

Diverse Generational Needs
For younger generations, especially Gen Z and Millennials, expectations of Facebook are higher than ever. They don’t want a platform that looks like the version their parents used. Instead, they’re looking for innovation—tools that encourage creativity, algorithms that surface content that’s relevant to their interests, and features that make it worth the effort. Without these, Facebook risks becoming an outdated option in a landscape dominated by newer platforms.
Older generations, meanwhile, are more focused on utility than flash. For them, Facebook’s appeal lies in its simple connectivity and easy-to-use interface. Streamlining the nonessentials, reducing clutter, and making it feel more welcoming could help retain this group. But even here, Facebook loyalty isn’t a given. If issues like privacy, misinformation, or invasive advertising continue to go unaddressed, the platform risks losing even its most loyal users.
The Future: Is Reinvention Possible?
The silver lining for Facebook is that there is still room for reinvention. About 35% of users believe the platform is adaptable and meets current needs. Facebook’s history also shows that it thrives by capitalizing on its core strengths—fostering connection and building indispensable tools.
However, to truly revive Meta, it needs to change its priorities. This requires listening to users, addressing issues like content moderation, and reinvesting in core features rather than focusing solely on projects like the metaverse. If Facebook can restore trust, improve the user experience, and deliver real innovation, it still has a chance to play a major role in the future of social media.