Job Soken '2026 SNS Usage Reality Survey': 60% Addicted, Risk Realized but 'Cannot Stop by Will Alone,' Most Notable Among Youth

Job Soken, a research organization operated by Persol Career Co., Ltd., which provides the career change service 'doda,' conducted the '2026 SNS Usage Reality Survey' targeting 397 working men and women. This survey investigated the purpose of SNS use, awareness of SNS addiction, appropriate use, risks felt during use, and the necessity of usage restrictions for adults by age group.

### Regulation of SNS Use for Minors
In recent years, while the spread of SNS has increased convenience, issues such as addiction and trouble have also become apparent. In response, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has solidified a policy to obligate SNS operators to strengthen age verification and limit usage to protect minors from SNS addiction and harmful content. On the other hand, previous Job Soken surveys revealed that many people are aware of unconscious addiction and are in a state where they cannot quit even if they want to. Furthermore, about 80% feel that 'online behavior is difficult to control' in highly anonymous environments where guilt tends to thin out. Problems surrounding SNS are spreading regardless of age, and as the appropriate way for adults to use it is being questioned, how are working adults using SNS?

### Survey Overview
- Targets: JobQ Town registrants currently employed
- Conditions: Nationwide / Male and Female / 20s to 50s
- Period: April 22 to April 27, 2026
- Valid Responses: 397 people
- Method: Internet survey

### TOPICS
- Most used SNS: 'X' is the most common, and 'Collecting news/current events' is the top purpose.
- 64.0% feel SNS addiction: Highest in the 20s. The top reason for not quitting is 'Necessary for information collection.'
- 81.6% feel risk in SNS use: Highest in the 20s. Risks include 'Personal information leakage' and 'Flaming.'
- Appropriate SNS use: 'Preventing identification of personal information.' 80.9% feel they can use SNS appropriately.
- 66.8% feel regulations for adult SNS use are 'necessary': Most common reason is 'To prevent slander and flaming.'

### Purpose of SNS Use
Among the 397 respondents, the most used SNS was 'X' at 74.3%, followed by 'Instagram' at 72.5% and 'Facebook' at 35.0%. The top purpose for use was 'Collecting news and current affairs' at 66.0%, followed by 'Checking trends' (55.4%) and 'Collecting information on hobbies/interests' (55.2%).

### Awareness of SNS Addiction
When asked if they were aware of SNS addiction, 64.0% fell into the 'Aware' group (13.9% 'Very aware,' 21.4% 'Aware,' and 28.7% 'Somewhat aware'). The top reason for not stopping was 'Necessary for information collection' (46.1%), followed by 'Using it unconsciously' (45.8%) and 'Convenient as a time-killer' (45.3%).

### Risk of SNS Use
81.6% fell into the 'Feel risk' group (19.1% 'Very much feel,' 28.0% 'Feel,' and 34.5% 'Somewhat feel'). Among the 324 people who feel risk, the top content was 'Personal information leakage' (73.5%), followed by 'Damage from flaming/slander' (43.5%) and 'Being misled by misinformation' (43.2%).

### Addiction and Risk Awareness by Age Group
The percentage of those aware of SNS addiction was highest in their 20s (83.5%), followed by 30s (71.6%), 40s (49.5%), and 50s (44.7%), showing a trend where younger generations are more aware of addiction. Similarly, risk awareness was highest in the 20s (92.8%), followed by 30s (81.9%), 40s (80.6%), and 50s (68.4%).

### Consciousness in SNS Use
The top thing people are conscious of in SNS use is 'Public scope of personal information' at 68.0%, followed by 'Handling information related to work' (48.9%) and 'Misunderstanding of remarks and flaming risk' (42.3%).