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Do You Follow Your Coworkers on Social Media? You’ll Be Surprised Who Does

by | Jul 30, 2025 | Media & Entertainment, General, Social Media

Image Credit: Photo by dole777 on Unsplash

The world of social media is a realm unto its own, with etiquette and behavior unique to each platform. With so many unwritten rules and expectations, it’s not uncommon for users to have wildly different opinions on what is appropriate or normal. One of these topics where users may vary is the question of whether or not to follow colleagues on social media. And while 56% of U.S. adults have connected with coworkers online, that still leaves a sizable chunk of users who have opted out.

 
Are you friends with / do you follow your colleagues on social media?

CivicScience has the most up-to-date insights on Americans who have taken their work friendships online. And at first glance, the data might be expected–with Gen Z leading the way with overall connection online. Lower-income adults–who often overlap with younger adults–are also the most connected to colleagues on social media and men are more likely than women to say they follow their coworkers online. 

However, the data goes on to reveal that employment situation does matter. Those who are currently employed are largely more likely than those who have retired or are unemployed to be connected to coworkers online suggesting that work friendships may not be lasting the test of time online.  

Despite the majority of Americans connecting with their coworkers on social media, those most likely to have followed their colleagues online are also the most likely to only spend an hour or less on social media. So, while they may be connected, the depth of that connection is open to interpretation. 

Additionally, given that those who communicate with friends and family via email are the most likely to be following coworkers on social media, it seems that connecting with a colleague online may be more of a superficial link than the sign of a deeper relationship outside of work. 

Of course, even if there isn’t great depth to a colleague connection online, that doesn’t mean it can’t be rewarding. Consider the strong correlation between those who have played fantasy sports and those who have connected with coworkers on social media. Clearly, these types of virtual links can be beneficial if you know how to play them. 

It’s also worth noting that those who have connected with colleagues online are the most likely to switch banks in the next three months–a hint at the uncertainty that continues to plague Americans in 2025. 

While the majority of Americans do choose to follow their coworkers on social media, the data sheds light on the realities of what these connections entail–namely a constellation of loose acquaintances that may not become anything more in real life but may boost self-image in the digital sphere. 

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This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights.

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