Facebook at a Crossroads: Generational Divide and the Question of Relevance at 21

Turning twenty-one is usually a big moment. A milestone. It means freedom, responsibility, and maybe a wild night out. Facebook just hit that age, but instead of throwing a party, people are wondering if it's still cool or just another outdated platform we keep around. Social media changes fast, and Facebook used to be the place. Now, it's losing its appeal.

Meta—the big boss behind Facebook, Instagram, and some other apps—was once untouchable. It sets the rules for online social life. Now, it looks like those rules are shifting, and Meta isn’t in control anymore.

A survey by ExpressVPN asked 4,000 people across the US, UK, France, and Germany what they think of Facebook in 2025. The results varied widely. It’s still huge, no doubt. But is it aging gracefully or stumbling through a crisis? Let's explore.

Still Big, But Losing Its Shine

Facebook isn’t dead. Not even close. More than 60% of those surveyed still use it. But being big doesn’t mean being the best. Numbers only tell part of the story. The other part shows cracks in the foundation. When you look at who's using it, the picture changes.

Young People Moving On, Older Users Staying Put

A split is obvious. Younger people are leaving quickly. Only about 35% of those aged 18-24 use Facebook regularly. Another third still have accounts but barely touch them. And 19% have never even signed up. That’s a big red flag.

Older users, though, are staying. More than 70% of people over 35 are still active. It’s just part of their routine. For them, Facebook is familiar. Comfortable. Feels like home. But this shift means something big—Facebook is turning into a platform for older generations. Younger ones have moved on to TikTok, Instagram, or the next trending platform.

Why People Are Leaving

Why is Facebook losing users? Simple. Other apps are more fun. TikTok and Instagram feel faster and cooler. Facebook feels old and cluttered, like a chore.

Too many ads fill the feeds with junk, leading to more scrolling and less connecting. It feels like you're dodging ads every two seconds, and people just get tired of it. There's nothing exciting anymore. TikTok has short, addicting videos, and Instagram has reels and stories. Facebook feels stuck in time with no big updates or fresh content.

Privacy? Not great. Fake news, data leaks, misinformation—it’s all there. Trust is fading. Some users no longer feel safe using it.

Even Loyal Users Are Spending Less Time

Even those who still like Facebook aren't using it as much. The survey showed people across all ages are using it less.

• Feels less important. People realize they don’t need Facebook anymore. They have other ways to stay in touch.
• Friends aren’t posting as much. If your circle isn’t active, what’s the point?
• Feeds feel messy. People want to see friends’ posts, but instead, they get random stuff they don’t care about.
• Too much drama. Political fights, comment wars—it's exhausting.

Facebook: Less Social, More Browsing

People still use Facebook, just not how they used to. Less posting, less chatting. More scrolling, watching, observing. It feels less like a community and more like background noise.

For some, it’s still useful—groups, discussions, marketplace. But overall, it doesn’t feel as alive as before. Younger users especially don’t see it as a place to connect. Some even say it’s too negative, too many arguments, and not enough fun.

Can Facebook Make a Comeback?

Not all bad news. About 35% of users think Facebook can turn things around. It has changed before, and maybe it can again. But it’s not going to be easy.

What do users want?

• Less clutter. Feeds feel too messy.
• More trust. Privacy concerns need fixing.
• Real value. A reason to actually stay.

For younger users, it needs to feel fresh again. New features. Better content. Something exciting. Older users want simplicity. Easy. A place to stay connected without all the extra noise.

Facebook could still survive by focusing on real connections. Fewer spam and more meaningful interactions. But small tweaks won’t be enough. It needs big changes, or people will keep walking away.

Facebook’s Big Decision: Evolve Or Fade?

So here we are. Facebook’s 21. It is still powerful and widely used. But at a crossroads.

Social media evolves rapidly. Younger users set the trends. If Facebook ignores that, it risks becoming background noise. Can Meta fix the problems? Can it rebuild trust? Or is this the beginning of a slow fade into irrelevance?

One thing’s for sure—Facebook’s twenties will decide its future. It either adapts or fades away. What happens next? We'll have to wait and see.