WhatsApp Remains Top as Teens in Austria Embrace ChatGPT

WhatsApp Remains Top as Teens in Austria Embrace ChatGPT

Image: APA/THEMENBILD/TANJA UNGERBÖCK

 

The use of WhatsApp, YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok among teenagers in Austria has grown over the past year, with ChatGPT also emerging as a key source of information, a new survey has found.

The Youth Internet Monitor 2025, conducted by the EU initiative Saferinternet.at, surveyed 405 young people aged 11 to 17. It found that WhatsApp remains the most popular platform, used by 87% of teenagers, with 82% logging on daily. YouTube ranks second (80% overall, 47% daily), followed by Snapchat (74% overall, 89% daily), Instagram (73% overall, 78% daily) and TikTok (72% overall, 87% daily).

Microsoft Teams, now used by 35% of respondents, has entered the rankings for the first time, securing sixth place. The platform has become a fixture of school life, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Barbara Buchegger, Educational Director at Saferinternet.at, explained: “Features like single-view photo sharing and new communication tools through channels and communities seem to have boosted WhatsApp’s popularity.”

Chatbots Gaining Ground

The gaming platform Discord has seen its popularity dip, with usage dropping from 33% in 2024 to 26% this year. Meanwhile, Roblox has gained a foothold, with usage rising from 19% to 24%.

AI tools are becoming a regular part of life for Austria’s youth. Three-quarters (75%) of those surveyed said they had used a chatbot at least once. Usage varies by age group, with 67% of 11- to 14-year-olds and 84% of 15- to 17-year-olds having tried one.

ChatGPT leads the pack, with 92% of users accessing it directly on the OpenAI platform. Snapchat’s MyAI is the second most popular, used by 45%, while Microsoft’s chatbot on Bing is a distant third at 12%.

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