Directions: In the question given below, a passage is given followed by five statements. Read the information and answer the question that follows.

As of January 2024, the global social media user base has reached 5.04 billion, covering 62.3% of the world’s population. The average user spends 2 hours and 20 minutes daily on social media and actively engages with 6.6 different platforms per month. Leading platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram continue to dominate, each boasting over 2 billion active users. Businesses have also leveraged this trend, with 77% of companies relying on social media marketing. Despite this rise, privacy concerns and misinformation remain key challenges.

Which of the following can be inferred from the given information?

I) More than two-thirds of the global population actively uses social media.

II) Users typically engage with fewer than five platforms monthly.

III) Each social media user spends over two hours daily on these platforms.

IV) All major social media platforms have over 2 billion users.

V) The use of social media as a marketing tool by companies is declining.

According to the given passage:

I) More than two-thirds of the global population actively uses social media. → Cannot be inferred

Two-thirds of the global population would be approximately 66.7%. However, the passage states 62.3% of people use social media, which is less than two-thirds. This means the statement exaggerates the user percentage and cannot be inferred.

II) Users typically engage with fewer than five platforms monthly. → Cannot be inferred

The passage states that the average user engages with 6.6 platforms per month, which is more than five, not fewer. Since the statement directly contradicts the given data, it cannot be inferred.

III) Each social media user spends over two hours daily on these platforms. → Can be inferred

The passage explicitly states that the average user spends 2 hours and 20 minutes daily on social media. Since 2 hours and 20 minutes is more than two hours, this statement is directly supported by the passage and can be inferred.

IV) All major social media platforms have over 2 billion users. → Cannot be inferred

The passage mentions that Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram have more than 2 billion users, but it does not confirm that all major platforms meet this criterion. Other major platforms might have fewer than 2 billion users, so this statement cannot be inferred.

V) The use of social media as a marketing tool by companies is declining. → Cannot be inferred

The passage states that 77% of businesses use social media for marketing, showing that reliance has actually increased rather than decreased. This contradicts the statement, so it cannot be inferred.

Thus, Only III can be inferred from the given information.

Hence, "Option 3" is the correct answer.