What’s happening:

TikTok has seen a considerable boost in popularity among Israelis since the start of the Gaza war, recording a 23% increase in usage, which surpasses the adoption rates of all other social media networks combined. Meanwhile, Telegram has also experienced strong growth.

Why it matters:

The rise in social media activity, especially on apps like TikTok and Telegram, reflects a shifting landscape in how people consume media and connect during times of conflict. However, this shift also presents challenges in controlling the spread of misinformation and biased narratives, particularly anti-Israeli content.

By the numbers:

• Telegram: New client surge of 60%, with daily usage doubling.
• TikTok: 23% rise in Israeli usage, becoming the leading social media platform in the region.
• Facebook: 5% reduction in user numbers.
• Twitter (referred to as “X”): 50% surge in use, 20% increase in user numbers, and 31% higher rate of use compared to pre-conflict levels.
• Instagram: Reported a 12% increase in use since the beginning of the year.

Other impacts:

The war has also influenced the popularity of various other apps and services. Navigation app Waze has seen a significant drop of 44% in Israeli use as people stay home. Dating service Tinder and music streaming service Spotify have also recorded decreases in user numbers, by 13% and one-third respectively, during the early days of the war. E-commerce saw a 20% drop in user activity.

The bigger picture:

Television remains a key source of news consumption for Israelis, with a particularly strong focus on live news programming during the conflict. However, the shifting user preferences toward digital platforms like TikTok and Telegram underscore the increasing importance of social media in shaping public opinion and communication during times of crisis.

Be advised:

While the increased use of these platforms offers a convenient means to stay informed and connected, it also poses risks due to the unregulated spread of potentially harmful content. Users and content providers are reminded to maintain integrity, seek verification, and remain cautious of the content they consume or disseminate.

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This story was first published on ynetnews.com.