In one of the world’s most connected nations, with an overall internet penetration rate of 99.6%, social media has become central to everyday life.
As Saudi Arabia cements its status as a regional and global digital leader, the Kingdom is taking proactive steps to safeguard young users from commercialization and digital risks.
Social Media Boom
Driving the News: The Saudi Internet 2025 report, issued by the Communications and Space Technology Commission (CST), showed an uptick in internet usage across the Kingdom, with 61.3% of users being online for 7 hours or more daily.
The Deep Dive: Social media apps have dominated internet usage in Saudi Arabia. WhatsApp has topped the ranks with 92.7% (94.4% among males, 90.4% among females), becoming the Kingdom’s central digital communication channel.
Most Used Apps in Saudi Arabia:
- WhatsApp (92.7%)
- Snapchat (83.6%)
- TikTok (77%)
- YouTube (75.8%)
- Instagram (40.8%)
- X (34.9%)
- Telegram (24.3%)
- Facebook (18.8%)
- Facebook Messenger (11.6%)
- Jaco (5.4%)
Inside a Digital Society
The Big Picture: Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has solidified its status as a pioneering e-governance leader, transforming from a tech consumer into a super-connected nation rapidly progressing towards the digital economy objectives of its ambitious program. This push is driven by the rollout of e-government platforms, increased adoption of AI tools, and the establishment of smart cities such as NEOM and Red Sea Project.
Zoom In: The CST’s Saudi Internet 2025 report indicates a 99.6% internet penetration rate and 45.2% AI tools adoption rate. This data is reflected in a surge in the usage of government E-services, which recorded 96%, while the usage rate of online banking services reached 85.9% and online shopping 76.9%.
Most Downloaded Government Apps:
- NAFATH
- Absher
- Nusuk
- Tawakkalna
- GOSI
Catch Up Quick: Absher ranked first in the Digital Experience Maturity Index for 2026, for the second year in a row, achieving a general score of 94.38%.
Saudi Arabia’s Global Rankings:
- E-Government Services: Saudi Arabia ranked 6th globally, 1st regionally, in the UN E-Government Development Index (EGDI) 2024.
- IMD Competitiveness: The Kingdom ranked 13th globally and 3rd among G20 economies in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026.
- Digital Maturity: Saudi Arabia ranked 1st regionally for the fourth consecutive time in the 2025 Government Electronic and Mobile Services Maturity Index (GEMS) and ranked 2nd globally in the World Bank’s 2025 GovTech Maturity Index (GTMI).
Saudi Youth: The Driving Force
The Context: Saudi Arabia has one of the world’s largest youth populations, with nearly 70% of Saudis under the age of 35, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) data from 2024.
Most Used social media apps according to #SaudiInternetReport2025
To view the report : https://t.co/AAsTeYzxFQ pic.twitter.com/7wO4MsX6YP
— هيئة الاتصالات والفضاء والتقنية (@CST_KSA) August 27, 2026
Between the Lines: The CST’s Saudi Internet 2025 report shows high internet penetration rates for youth and children. Internet usage among individuals aged 30-39 reached 100%, while people aged 20-29 have a 99.9% penetration rate and the age group 10-19 has a 99.8% rate.
Most Used Social Media Apps Among Youth:
- Age Group 10-19: Instant video messaging and short-form content platforms dominated this category. Snapchat has topped social media apps used by this age group (89.3%), followed by TikTok (82%).
- Age Group 20–29: This age group relies heavily on instant messaging services for communication. WhatsApp has topped the most used apps (93.7%), while Snapchat came second (91%).
- Age Group 30-39: WhatsApp also dominated the most used apps in this category (96.2%), followed by Snapchat (85.2%).
The New Guardrails
The Catalyst: The increased screen exposure and social media dominance among children and adolescence (89.3%+ among 10–19 age group) carry health and social risks, from screen addiction to cyberbullying, online exposure, and the commercialization of children.
The Pivot: In response to these potential risks, Saudi Arabia has adopted a proactive approach to promote child safety online and protect the next generation from social media hazards.
Active Measures:
- Banning Children in Commercial Content: The Saudi General Authority of Media Regulation has officially banned influencers and creators from featuring children or domestic workers in daily lifestyle posts or promotional content, whether positive or negative.
- Age Verification: The Saudi Shura Council and the CST are considering the introduction of age verification requirements and appropriate usage restrictions for social media platforms for users under 16.
- Protecting Children’s Personal Data: Under the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), administered by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), platforms are restricted from harvesting or profiling the personal data of children under the age of 13.
The Takeaway: As social media apps and online services are gaining increased momentum in the Kingdom, Saudi Arabia is preparing a tech-savvy generation capable of coping with the accelerating digital innovation while protecting their safety and well-being, thereby emerging as a world-class model for digital leadership.
