RESEARCH BY APP CATEGORY
Communication
In just a few decades, the cell phone has turned into a powerful handheld computer that lets us browse the web, take photos, play games, watch movies, navigate the world, and so much more. While it’s evolved far beyond just making calls and sending texts, the smartphone is still, above all, a communication tool.
This is backed up by the massive popularity of communication apps. WhatsApp, the leading messaging app in over 60 countries, is downloaded more than 50 million times a month, and expects its user count to surpass 3 billion in 2025. Gen Z-favorite Snapchat is downloaded over 41 million times per month and has 800 million monthly active users.
The apps kids use to communicate give us insight into how they communicate. In 2024, kids worldwide averaged 37 minutes daily on their favorite communication apps, 2 minutes less than the previous year. While WhatsApp remained the most widely-used communication app, Snapchat users were the most active – with kids globally spending 78 minutes per day snapping their friends and families.
RESEARCH BY APP CATEGORY
Communication
What we found
In just a few decades, the cell phone has turned into a powerful handheld computer that lets us browse the web, take photos, play games, watch movies, navigate the world, and so much more. While it’s evolved far beyond just making calls and sending texts, the smartphone is still, above all, a communication tool.
This is backed up by the massive popularity of communication apps. WhatsApp, the leading messaging app in over 60 countries, is downloaded more than 50 million times a month, and expects its user count to surpass 3 billion in 2025. Gen Z-favorite Snapchat is downloaded over 41 million times per month and has 800 million monthly active users.
The apps kids use to communicate give us insight into how they communicate. In 2024, kids worldwide averaged 37 minutes daily on their favorite communication apps, 2 minutes less than the previous year. While WhatsApp remained the most widely-used communication app, Snapchat users were the most active – with kids globally spending 78 minutes per day snapping their friends and families.
*Ranked 1-6 from most-least popular, based on total % of children opening app for at least 5 minutes across the year
*Ranked 1-6 from most-least popular, based on total % of children opening app for at least 5 minutes across the year
children and communication apps in 2024
In 2024, WhatsApp was the number 1 communication app globally and in almost every country examined, with only Snapchat managing to beat it to the top in Australia and the US, two regions where WhatsApp has never managed to win over the locals. WhatsApp enjoys strong popularity in Europe – as demonstrated in Spain, France, and the UK, where kids’ use of the Meta-owned messenger service secured it the top spot for yet another year. History aside, WhatsApp still managed to make some waves over 2024, climbing in popularity in the US to a new 3rd place position, and 2nd down under.
Looking at the time kids spent on their favorite communications apps over the year, however, tells us where their attention really lies. Based on apps opened on kids’ devices over the year, WhatsApp was the most popular communication app – but in general, children spent more time using Snapchat and Discord. Discord also stayed high in the communication tool rankings, securing 2nd place in the US, while hitting 3rd place globally, and in France, Spain, and Australia.
In 2024, Kids globally spent an average of 78 minutes per day on Snapchat – an increase of 4 mins/day from 2023 – eclipsing the 19 minutes they spent on WhatsApp. The most active Snapchat users were kids from the UK and the US, dedicating 97 and 90 minutes per day to the app, respectively – an increase from 2023’s 95 and 88 minutes.
In terms of time spent, the only country bucking the Snapchat trend was Spain, where children only spent 24 minutes on the platform a day on average, just a minute more than they spent chatting away on WhatsApp.
The large gap between the time kids spend on Snapchat and other communication apps can be explained by the nature of the platforms. Although Snapchat is by definition a communication app, it has time-devouring features commonly found on social media apps – such as Stories and Discover content.
Our 14-year-old was browsing YouTube and random sites during class, and during homework time. It was a huge distraction so we had to put up guardrails.
– Parent of 2, 50.
Time spent on top 6 most popular communication apps, from 2020-2024
children and communication apps in 2024
In 2024, WhatsApp was the number 1 communication app globally and in almost every country examined, with only Snapchat managing to beat it to the top in Australia and the US, two regions where WhatsApp has never managed to win over the locals. WhatsApp enjoys strong popularity in Europe – as demonstrated in Spain, France, and the UK, where kids’ use of the Meta-owned messenger service secured it the top spot for yet another year. History aside, WhatsApp still managed to make some waves over 2024, climbing in popularity in the US to a new 3rd place position, and 2nd down under.
Looking at the time kids spent on their favorite communications apps over the year, however, tells us where their attention really lies. Based on apps opened on kids’ devices over the year, WhatsApp was the most popular communication app – but in general, children spent more time using Snapchat and Discord. Discord also stayed high in the communication tool rankings, securing 2nd place in the US, while hitting 3rd place globally, and in France, Spain, and Australia.
In 2024, Kids globally spent an average of 78 minutes per day on Snapchat – an increase of 4 mins/day from 2023 – eclipsing the 19 minutes they spent on WhatsApp. The most active Snapchat users were kids from the UK and the US, dedicating 97 and 90 minutes per day to the app, respectively – an increase from 2023’s 95 and 88 minutes.
The large gap between the time kids spend on Snapchat and other communication apps can be explained by the nature of the platforms. Although Snapchat is by definition a communication app, it has time-devouring features commonly found on social media apps – such as Stories and Discover content.
Time spent on top 6 most popular online video apps, from 2020-2024
Just as the need to stay in touch remains fairly constant, so too did kids’ monthly average time on communication apps, dipping only slightly during back-to-school season in most of the countries analyzed. In Spain, time spent on communication apps dropped to its lowest average in July and August, to just 21 and 20 mins/day, respectively – a sharp contrast to the daily average highs they hit using social media over the same months (80 and 76 mins/day). Conversely, children in Australia hit peak talk time throughout the year, recording highs of 47 mins/day in January, April, and June.
how long did children spend on communication apps over 2024?
In 2024, kids spent a global average of 37 minutes per day chatting on their favorite communication apps, 2 minutes less than their 2023 global average of 39 mins/day. The most tech-talkative kids were from the US and Australia, where they spent a daily average of 44 and 43 minutes on their devices engaging with friends and family. With only 23 minutes per day, kids in Spain spent the least amount of time on communication apps.
Just as the need to stay in touch remains fairly constant, so too did kids’ monthly average time on communication apps, dipping only slightly during back-to-school season in most of the countries analyzed. In Spain, time spent on communication apps dropped to its lowest average in July and August, to just 21 and 20 mins/day, respectively – a sharp contrast to the daily average highs they hit using social media over the same months (80 and 76 mins/day). Conversely, children in Australia hit peak talk time throughout the year, recording highs of 47 mins/day in January, April, and June.
Average time spent on online video apps, month by month(avg. mins/day)
– Parent of 1, 54
Average time spent on communication apps, month by month (avg. mins/day)
– Parent of 1, 54
For another year, the communication app most likely to be blocked by parents was Snapchat. With kids spending a global average of 78 minutes a day on the platform, the decision to block Snapchat may have come down to screen time issues in part, or the known safety risks posed by disappearing messages, such as cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content.
As in 2023, Discord was the 2nd communication app most likely to be blocked by parents. While the time spent on Discord might be concerning, parents might also be worried about the safety issues kids can be exposed to on the gamer-favorite chat platform. Kids can potentially access servers with inappropriate content, be exposed to sexual and racist language, connect with strangers, and more.
These days, any content can be an opportunity for cyber criminals, or a potential security breach, so I try to teach [my kids] that common sense is the best tool that they have.
– Parent of 2, 45.
The most blocked communication apps in 2024
For another year, the communication app most likely to be blocked by parents was Snapchat. With kids spending a global average of 78 minutes a day on the platform, the decision to block Snapchat may have come down to screen time issues in part, or the known safety risks posed by disappearing messages, such as cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content.
As in 2023, Discord was the 2nd communication app most likely to be blocked by parents. While the time spent on Discord might be concerning, parents might also be worried about the safety issues kids can be exposed to on the gamer-favorite chat platform. Kids can potentially access servers with inappropriate content, be exposed to sexual and racist language, connect with strangers, and more.
These days, any content can be an opportunity for cyber criminals, or a potential security breach, so I try to teach [my kids] that common sense is the best tool that they have.
– Parent of 2, 45.
Most blocked communication apps
(% of parents)
What we expect
While AI has already been adopted by mainstream communication apps, it stands to only become more intuitive and more widely integrated. Snapchat’s augmented reality filters are powered by AI, as is “My AI”, Snapchat’s customizable chatbot that answers questions, helps with recommendations, suggests filters, and more. In some cases, AI might even help to keep children safe when they’re chatting away. For example, Discord uses AI to moderate servers and detect harmful content.
As well as more AI integration in 2025, experts expect a stronger focus on video, group, and community communication, along with improved cross-platform compatibility, and enhanced encryption. While these developments might mean greater protection for children, parental guidance will always be key to ensuring online safety.
Although top communication apps like Whatsapp, Discord, and Snapchat have been around for a while, they’re always evolving and regularly introduce features to keep up with changing demands and technological advances, such as artificial intelligence.
While AI has already been adopted by mainstream communication apps, it stands to only become more intuitive and more widely integrated. Snapchat’s augmented reality filters are powered by AI, as is “My AI”, Snapchat’s customizable chatbot that answers questions, helps with recommendations, suggests filters, and more. In some cases, AI might even help to keep children safe when they’re chatting away. For example, Discord uses AI to moderate servers and detect harmful content.
As well as more AI integration in 2025, experts expect a stronger focus on video, group, and community communication, along with improved cross-platform compatibility, and enhanced encryption. While these developments might mean greater protection for children, parental guidance will always be key to ensuring online safety.
Communicate your concerns while appreciating theirs
One of the most challenging aspects of parenting is how to keep children safe online without sacrificing their trust. Rather than spying on your child’s communication, we recommend regular check-ins. Having open conversations with your child allows you to communicate your concerns while appreciating theirs. It’s also important to set fair boundaries appropriate for your child’s age and developmental stage while being open to adjusting them as they become more independent. Finally, lead by example by demonstrating healthy tech use in front of your children so they do not feel unfairly targeted. .
Parents lay down the first footprints that eventually become theirs
Long before our children start to spend their time online, it’s us – their parents – who lay down the first few footprints that eventually become their digital ones. When it comes to the question of online privacy, apply the ‘oxygen mask’ approach: Consider first how you think about the sharing of your own, your child’s, and other internet users’ personal information, and adjust personal posting habits first, before modeling them to your child. Conversations about consensual sharing are a great place to start; these will help your child become more thoughtful online. Some of the essential rules for sharing personal data are: no sharing of location, passwords, or birthdays, especially with strangers or in public online spaces.
Regularly review privacy settings together and adjust as your child grows
Teach children to recognize red flags, like requests for personal information or messages from people they don’t know. Encourage them to check with you before responding to people they aren’t sure about. Reinforce that photos and posts shared online can stay visible forever, so they should always stop and think before sharing. Regularly review privacy settings together on apps and devices, and adjust as your child grows and demonstrates responsibility and good decision-making.
Watch for changes in routine, increased isolation, or if your child is quieter than usual
If you’re concerned that your child may be experiencing cyberbullying or facing online abuse, the key is observation and active listening. Some of the signs to watch for include emotional, behavioral, or physical changes. They might seem low, be nervous or agitated, or exhibit mood swings. Watch for changes in routine, increased isolation, or if your child is quieter than usual. Their academic performance might also show a downward trend, and they might report more physical symptoms, such as frequent headaches or stomachaches. Creating a trusting environment, where your child feels safe to talk about what is happening, and where they know you will always listen without judgment, will allow you to intervene appropriately and provide the right support.
What we
recommend
Communicate your concerns while appreciating theirs
One of the most challenging aspects of parenting is how to keep children safe online without sacrificing their trust. Rather than spying on your child’s communication, we recommend regular check-ins. Having open conversations with your child allows you to communicate your concerns while appreciating theirs. It’s also important to set fair boundaries appropriate for your child’s age and developmental stage while being open to adjusting them as they become more independent. Finally, lead by example by demonstrating healthy tech use in front of your children so they do not feel unfairly targeted.
Parents lay down the first footprints that eventually become theirs
Long before our children start to spend their time online, it’s us – their parents – who lay down the first few footprints that eventually become their digital ones. When it comes to the question of online privacy, apply the ‘oxygen mask’ approach: Consider first how you think about the sharing of your own, your child’s, and other internet users’ personal information, and adjust personal posting habits first, before modeling them to your child. Conversations about consensual sharing are a great place to start; these will help your child become more thoughtful online. Some of the essential rules for sharing personal data are: no sharing of location, passwords, or birthdays, especially with strangers or in public online spaces.
Regularly review privacy settings together and adjust as your child grows
Teach children to recognize red flags, like requests for personal information or messages from people they don’t know. Encourage them to check with you before responding to people they aren’t sure about. Reinforce that photos and posts shared online can stay visible forever, so they should always stop and think before sharing. Regularly review privacy settings together on apps and devices, and adjust as your child grows and demonstrates responsibility and good decision-making.
Watch for changes in routine, increased isolation, or if your child is quieter than usual
If you’re concerned that your child may be experiencing cyberbullying or facing online abuse, the key is observation and active listening. Some of the signs to watch for include emotional, behavioral, or physical changes. They might seem low, be nervous or agitated, or exhibit mood swings. Watch for changes in routine, increased isolation, or if your child is quieter than usual. Their academic performance might also show a downward trend, and they might report more physical symptoms, such as frequent headaches or stomachaches. Creating a trusting environment, where your child feels safe to talk about what is happening, and where they know you will always listen without judgment, will allow you to intervene appropriately and provide the right support.