Semify’s 2021 Social Media Conduct Survey

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How can your social media habits shape your everyday life? Semify set out to explore how our online behavior has evolved over the past five years. Read on to discover the key findings from their 2026 Social Media Conduct Survey.

Social media has become an integral part of daily routines worldwide. Recent data indicates that 3.78 billion people now use social media globally, with 2020 marking a 5% increase in usage—a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

While usage continues to grow, understanding the nuances of how people interact with these platforms remains complex. Our own curated feeds and sophisticated algorithms often limit our view to personal bubbles, making broader insights harder to obtain without looking beyond familiar online communities.

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Introducing Semify’s Social Media Conduct Survey

Our white label SEO agency launched its first Social Media Conduct Survey in 2016, gathering firsthand data on how respondents perceive and engage with social platforms. A follow-up survey was conducted in 2018.

The world has transformed significantly since those early studies. Yet some perceptions have remained surprisingly consistent. It was striking to see that many people still hold major misconceptions about social media use and its potential effects on employment.

In this article, we examine current social media trends, share insights from our latest Social Media Conduct Survey, and compare the 2026 findings with those from 2016 and 2018.

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Survey Design and Questions

The 2026 edition featured eight questions exploring both usage patterns and attitudes toward social media behavior. Some questions carried over from previous surveys, while others were newly introduced to capture evolving dynamics.

The goal was to build a well-rounded picture of overall utilization and beliefs about specific online actions.

Respondents were asked about:

1. Daily time spent on social media
2. Social media use in the workplace
3. Frequency of posting about divisive issues
4. Whether they have criticized their job, boss, or coworkers online
5. Which social media behaviors raise the most concern during hiring
6. Whether they have ever rejected a candidate due to social media activity
7. Views on social media screening for employment
8. Whether firing employees for social media posts infringes on rights

The responses revealed notable variations across topics. Below, we present the findings alongside relevant external data for context.

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Key Findings from the 2026 Survey

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Question 1: How Much Time Do You Spend on Social Media Per Day?

The opening question focused on daily usage. Respondents chose from four time ranges: 0–30 minutes, 30 minutes to 1 hour, 1 to 3 hours, or 3 hours or more.

Results showed that 63.5% of respondents spend between 30 minutes and 3 hours on social media daily. Nearly 18% reported less than 30 minutes, while under 19% indicated more than 3 hours.

These figures align closely with broader industry data. One recent study found that North American users average slightly over 2 hours per day, while Statista reports a global average of 145 minutes (2 hours and 41 minutes) daily.

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Question 2: Do You Use Social Media While at Work?

With remote and hybrid work now common, many employees access social platforms during work hours. Our survey found a roughly 60/40 split: 64% reported using social media at work, while 36% said they do not.

Comparative data from earlier years suggests even higher workplace usage in the past. Pew Research Center data from 2016 indicated up to 80% of workers used social media on the job, while later reports showed figures around 77%. The 2026 results may partly reflect the age distribution of respondents, with 36.5% aged 45–60—a group that tends to engage less frequently.

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Question 3: How Often Do You Post About Divisive Issues?

This question, repeated from earlier surveys, asked how often respondents share content on divisive topics such as politics or religion. Around 66.8% said they never or rarely post such content, while 33.15% reported doing so sometimes or frequently.

These results mirror Pew Research Center findings from 2021, which showed that 70% of users rarely or never post about political or social issues. The majority appear to avoid content that could spark conflict among their networks.

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Question 4: Have You Posted Job-Related Complaints?

Nearly 80% of respondents said they keep work and personal life separate or have no complaints to share. About 12.5% admitted posting criticisms while keeping details vague, and roughly 8% said they had posted without concern for privacy settings.

Many still overestimate the protection offered by private accounts. Data from Statista shows that nearly half of users aged 60 and above lack confidence in their privacy settings or do not use them at all. Even among younger users, screenshots and data leaks can expose posts to unintended audiences.

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Question 5: Which Social Media Behaviors Raise Red Flags in Hiring?

When asked which behaviors would most concern them when evaluating a candidate, 41% cited discriminatory or inappropriate posts, while 35.7% pointed to content involving drugs, alcohol, or criminal activity. Poor grammar (12.7%) and religious or political posts (10.38%) ranked lower.

These priorities align with findings from a 2018 CareerBuilder survey, where inappropriate content, substance-related posts, and discriminatory comments were among the top reasons employers rejected candidates.

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Question 6: Has Social Media Influenced Your Hiring Decisions?

Just over 20% of respondents reported having passed on a candidate due to their social media profile. External data suggests that around 70% of employers conduct social media screening, with 57% discovering content that led them to reject an applicant.

Interestingly, 57% of employers also said they are less likely to interview candidates with no visible social media presence, highlighting the importance of maintaining a professional online footprint.

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Question 7: Should Social Media Screening Be Standard Practice?

Opinions were divided: 38% supported requiring social media screening during hiring, 39% opposed it, and 22.8% were unsure. While screening is generally legal, employers must avoid using information related to protected characteristics such as race, religion, or gender identity.

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Question 8: Is Firing Someone for Social Media Posts a First Amendment Violation?

Over 40% of respondents believed that firing employees for social media activity violates First Amendment rights, while 27% were unsure. In reality, the First Amendment protects against government interference, not actions by private employers.

Private companies may discipline or terminate employees for posts that conflict with company values or harm their reputation, provided the content does not involve protected characteristics.

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Comparing Trends Across Surveys

Comparing results from 2016, 2018, and 2026 shows gradual shifts in behavior and awareness. The share of respondents who post about divisive topics frequently has declined slightly, while understanding of employment-related social media risks has improved modestly. However, misconceptions about privacy settings and First Amendment protections remain widespread.

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Final Takeaways

The 2026 survey underscores that social media use continues to intersect deeply with professional life. While most people recognize the risks of inappropriate posts, a significant portion still underestimates how easily content can be discovered or used in hiring and firing decisions.

Employers increasingly rely on social media screening, making it essential for individuals to maintain a thoughtful and professional online presence. The core lesson remains consistent: think before you post, review privacy settings regularly, and remember that online actions can have real-world consequences.

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