Teen Social Media Use Report

Teens' use of social media has exploded over the past six years, while their preference for face-to-face interactions with friends has markedly declined. Teens on the whole say using social media makes them feel less lonely, less depressed, and more confident. They also say they're aware of social media's potential to distract and manipulate them, even if they sometimes struggle to moderate their own use.  And it's increasingly evident that parents and educators have a clear role to play in helping teens learn to limit and mold their own social media use.
Among the most striking findings:

• 70 percent of teens now say they use social media more than once a day, compared to 34 percent of teens in 2012. 
• Snapchat is now the most popular social media platform among teens, with 41 percent saying it's the one use most frequently.
• 35 percent of teens now say texting is their preferred mode of communication with friends, more than the 32 percent who prefer in-person communication. In 2012, 49 percent of teens preferred in-person communication.
• One-fourth of teens say using social media makes them feel less lonely, compared to 3 percent who say it makes them feel more lonely.
• Nearly three-fourths of teens believe tech companies manipulate them to get them to spend more time on their devices and platforms.

(2018). Social Media, Social Life: Teens Reveal Their Experiences. Washington, DC: Common Sense Media.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/social-media-social-life-2018