More and more Russians are relying on social networks for information, though most still get their news from television programs, which are under tight government control. According to a poll conducted last month by Levada Center (an independent polling agency which the Russian authorities designate as a “foreign agent”), 42% of Russians named social networks as a source of information, while 64% said they follow the news on TV. Meanwhile, 39% said they also read online publications.
In January 2021, 57% of respondents said they used social networks on a daily basis, up from 46% in March 2019 and 37% in December 2017. Only 26% never use them today vs. 41% in December 2017.
The results of Levada Center’s new poll highlight the extraordinary rise of TikTok in Russia, which now eclipses Facebook in social media use (14% to 9%). Vkontakte (VK) remains Russia’s most popular social network (43% of respondents said they use it), followed by YouTube (35%) and Instagram and Odnoklassniki (each 31%). Just 3% of Russians said they use Twitter.
Which social networks do you use? (Jan. 2021)
Which social networks do you use? (2013-2021)
In July 2020, TikTok attracted 22.4 million monthly active users, according to Mediascope.
In January 2021, teenagers and elder Russians massively used the platform to support imprisoned opposition leader Alexey Navalny and mock the luxury mansion allegedly built for President Putin.
