Unveiling Teen Social Media Trends: What Pew Research Reveals About Their Favorite Platforms

As governments worldwide explore new measures to limit teens’ use of social apps, the latest stats from Pew Research on teen social media use come at a particularly interesting time, showcasing where teens are engaging and how much time they spend on social platforms.

Survey Insights

Based on a survey of 1,391 U.S. teens aged 13 to 17, along with their parents, the report provides a snapshot of where teens are engaging and which apps are the key focus for this demographic.

YouTube Dominance

It’s no surprise that YouTube remains the leader in the space, with 90% of participants indicating they use it regularly, even though its usage has seen a slight decline since Pew’s last survey. YouTube is often viewed as more of a video platform than a social app, yet its influence on cultural trends among young audiences is undeniable.

Rising Stars: Instagram and WhatsApp

In contrast, Instagram and WhatsApp are the only apps that have seen a rise in usage since Pew’s last teen report. TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat continue to be the primary social apps for teens looking to stay connected. According to Pew:

“Roughly six-in-ten teens say they use TikTok and Instagram, and 55% say the same for Snapchat.”

Declining Popularity of Facebook and X

While these apps maintain their popularity, both Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) have seen significant declines in usage among teens, with only 32% of teens now using Facebook, down from 71% in 2014-15.

Time Spent on Apps

The report reveals that YouTube and TikTok are the platforms where teens spend the most time.

“Overall, 73% of teens say they go on YouTube daily, making it the most widely used and visited platform. About six-in-ten visit TikTok daily.”

Gender Differences

The data indicates that teen girls are more likely to use TikTok almost constantly, while boys prefer YouTube. The gender splits for other apps show a much more aligned usage pattern, providing valuable insights for marketers targeting teens.

Conclusion

Pew’s full report includes further information on usage among different demographics, including ethnicity-specific usage and household income data. These insights are valuable for anyone looking to reach teens online.