Social networks and social media are influencing a growing number of people and intervening in social life increasingly often. In 2021, an estimated 4.4 billion people worldwide were said to be using social networks.

Many people now spend more time using social media than they do consuming news in analogue formats, such as print media, radio and television. Clinics, practices, professional societies and patient associations are implementing social media in their public communications, but individuals are also generating content and reaching a large audience.