The latest 'Teens, Social Media and Technology' 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center shows that despite increased fears of social media's impact on adolescents' mental health, teen usage on these platforms has not been curbed.

The study, conducted between September 26 and October 23, 2023, encompassing 1,453 US teens aged 13 to 17, underscores YouTube's enduring dominance, with 93% of teens reporting regular usage. TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram also maintain popularity within this age group, with 63%, 60%, and 59% of respondents saying they use the apps and websites, respectively.

However, Facebook and X/Twitter have witnessed a notable decline in teen engagement over the past decade. Facebook's teen user base plummeted from 71% in 2014-2015 to 33% in 2023, while Twitter experienced a less steep decline from 33% to 20% in the same timeframe.

Furthermore, around one in six teens describes their use of YouTube and TikTok as 'almost constant.' Notably, 71% of teens visit YouTube daily, with 16% characterising their usage as 'almost constant.' Similarly, 17% report using TikTok almost constantly.

Why does it matter?

Concerns regarding potential negative impacts on teens' mental health are addressed in the survey. Although social media use can lead to distractions, sleep disruption, and exposure to bullying, it is also credited by teens with strengthening friendships and providing a support network. Previous Pew Research Center surveys have consistently shown that teens have a somewhat split view of the impact of social media, with a significant proportion acknowledging both the positive and negative effects.

This has not stopped individuals and states from suing big social media companies for designing addictive algorithms that specifically target younger and more vulnerable audiences, with experts calling for increased regulation too.