How many children and teenagers use social media in Brazil?

TIC Kids Online Brasil 2025 reports that 71% of internet users aged 9–17 used social media. Another indicator shows that 85% have their own profile on digital platforms. These figures answer different questions and should not be treated as equivalent. (Cetic.br/NIC.br) (Cetic.br/NIC.br)

How many minors use the internet? In the 2025 survey, 92% of the population aged 9–17 uses the internet, defined as access within the past three months. This indicator has a different base from online activity indicators: the percentage refers to the population in that age range, not only those who already use the internet. (Cetic.br/NIC.br)

Population total tables estimate 24,585,769 internet users aged 9–17 (about 24.6 million). The social media use indicator corresponds to 17.519.514 (about 17.5 million), and profile ownership to 20.966.971 (about 21 million). These are survey estimates, not an individual count of every Brazilian child. Published percentages are rounded; multiplying them by an also-rounded total produces less precise values. (Cetic.br)

Why is having a profile different from using social media? “Used social media” is a surveyed activity. “Has their own profile on digital platforms” identifies account ownership across the platforms surveyed. Messaging and video platforms are also included. Someone may have an account without reporting social media use in the corresponding indicator.

The two groups may overlap. Therefore, do not add 17.5 million and 21 million as if they were different people. Nor should the gap between indicators be used to infer how many profiles are fake or abandoned: those totals alone do not support that conclusion.

How does use vary by age? Among internet users aged 9–10, 33% used social media; ages 11–12, 63%; ages 13–14 and 15–17, 89% in each group. Own-profile ownership is 64%, 79%, 91%, and 99%, respectively. Each base consists of internet users in that age group. (Cetic.br/NIC.br) (Cetic.br/NIC.br)

On which platforms do they have their own profiles? Indicator C8, covering own profiles on platforms used at least weekly, reports 66% for WhatsApp, 66% for Instagram, 57% for TikTok, and 50% for YouTube among internet users aged 9–17. Among ages 9–10, the figures are 34%, 22%, 24%, and 35%, in the same order. (Cetic.br/NIC.br)

One person may have accounts on several platforms. These percentages are not exclusive slices of a pie chart and should not total 100%. The indicator does not show that a platform causes a particular harm.

What does the survey show about exposure to sexual content? In 2025, 8% of users aged 9–17 reported seeing sexual images or videos online in the previous 12 months. The executive summary also reports that 20% of users aged 11–17 received sexual messages or requests during the surveyed period. This indicator uses a different age range and definition from the preceding 8%. (Cetic.br) Indicator G11, for users aged 11–17, separates received messages, publicly viewed messages, requests to discuss sex, and requests for intimate images. Multiple responses are allowed, so adding categories does not produce a reliable rate of exposed individuals. (Cetic.br/NIC.br) (Cetic.br/NIC.br)

Do these figures show that social media causes health problems? No. This survey describes access, use, and experiences. It is not an experiment that isolates a platform's effects on each child's health. Discussing sleep, well-being, or problematic use requires specific studies and consideration of their limitations. See what we know about risks and inappropriate use.

How can families use these figures to make decisions? Start with the specific need: communicating, studying, playing, or publishing to an audience. A child does not need followers to message a relative. Alkateia focuses on communication among people authorized through invitation and approval. Explore alternatives to social media for communication and consider age, permissions, and family agreements before choosing a service.