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Social Media Design--How companies tailor your teens experience to increase use

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Social Media Design--How companies tailor your teens experience to increase use

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By: Jenny Radesky, MD, FAAP & Megan Moreno, MD, FAAP

Social media sites such as Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Discord, TikTok, YouTube, Twitch and Reddit are incredibly popular among children and teens. Kids seek social connection, entertainment and ideas through social media. But as they interact with these platforms, kids create a "digital footprint" that make them the target of digital marketing and other content aimed at influencing their behavior.

For parents who might have grown up watching television and DVDs, it's important to understand the unique design features of social media that can have positive or negative effects on your child. Here are 4 of these features, paired with ways you can help your child understand and manage them.

1. Personalization in social media

Social media personalizationmeans that every child or teen has their own custom "feed." It includes recommendations that suit their tastes and personality, based on what the platform learns about them as they use it.

Kids can follow their favorite celebrities, sports teams, creative interests, learn about new things and discover new ideas. But a personalization also means that their feeds may be tailored with digital ads or content that aren't in their best interest. Think diet ads being sent to a teen with poor body image or conspiracy theory videos being sent to a teen who likes science fiction.

What parents can do

Talk to your child about what shows up in their social media feeds: what is inspiring or hilarious? What is creepy or annoying? Help them recognize that personalization on social media means they may be in their own "filter bubble." This can prevent them from recognizing how other people from different backgrounds experience the online world.

If your child seems stressed out by social media, you can have them take a 2-week break and see how it feels. Or, change up their feed by searching out more positive and inspiring content.

2. Easy social connection

As soon as your child creates a social media account, it immediately seeks to access their contacts to build a big network. In some ways, this can be good. It can let them easily keep in touch with family and friends, find support for specific life experiences or medical conditions, for example. It also lets them build networks that include more diverse groups of people and perspectives.

On the downside, if their social media account isn't private, they can be contacted by marketers or adults they don't know. Another potential drawback is that seeing other "popular" users with a lot of followers and "likes" can make teens feel more lonely. Plus, the ease of interacting over social media also means that kids and teens may be more likely to post toxic or rude comments about each other - things they wouldn't necessarily have the nerve to say in real life.

What parents can do

Your child or teens' social media settings should be set to private, so that strangers can't contact them. It's important to monitor kids' social media interactions. However, the approach will depend on your relationship with your child.

One solution that has worked for many parents is to make a deal with their child that they will occasionally look at their texts and social media feeds together. This way, parents can help their child navigate bullying interactions, stand up for others or filter and block people who are behaving in toxic ways. Other parents may want to give their teens privacy, but check in from time to time by asking questions like "what's the craziest or coolest thing you saw online today?" Either way, opening the doors of communication about what kids and teens experience online is key. Show them that you have an open mind about what they are experiencing online and are there to help them.

3. Social media content creation & "performance"

Anyone with a smartphone can publish their thoughts, dance moves, musical talents or video game expertise. This ready access allows or diverse children and teens have a voice in a world that is dominated by adults. It also means that some kids start to "perform" online in a way that isn't authentic to their inner true self. Instead, they may start to over-focus on "likes" and positive online feedback. Research has also found that content creators sometimes post racist or sexist material that doesn't get taken down by platforms.

What parents can do

Does your child post their own material online? If possible, subscribe to their channel to get regular updates and monitor what they're posting. If you think they're getting too obsessed with their appearance or their "followers," have them take a break or find other ways they feel competent and valued. Also, help them recognize the subtle biases and inappropriate posts that may show up in their feed, so they can become more critical thinkers about what they see.

4. Social media algorithm traps

Social media algorithms, sets of mathematical rules based on what users have viewed before, determine what people see on their sites. This means that your child's feed will be filled with videos or posts that the platform predicted your child might click on. Research has found that algorithms can "pigeon-hole" users into feeds dominated by self-harm, eating disorder content or biased posts.

Social media posts that are the most extreme - in terms of beauty, sexiness, violence or humor, for example - tend to get the most "engagement." Because of this, they are then amplified in users' recommendation feeds. This may lead to teens seeing more unrealistic views of beauty, wealth or behavior. In turn, it may influence their self-esteem or get them to take part in dangerous internet challenges.

What parents can do

Help your kids become savvy about ridiculous beauty standards, extreme stunts, challenges or over-the-top social media posts that may appear in their feed. Also help them understand that more extreme posts go "viral" because social media companies make more advertising money, and collect more data, when users are sharing and interacting more.

The big picture

Whether your child is already on social media or they're asking you if they can start, be sure to go through your family rules for using it. You can make a family media plan that everyone agrees to follow. Overall, it's important to be open-minded about the laughs and connections that teens get from social media. But it is also important to help them recognize behavior that is not authentic, misinformation and how they are profiled by companies.

Keep channels of communication open about the whole family's media use. Consider how mhow it's affecting mood, sleep, or family interactions, and whether it's a positive force in your lives or becoming a time-waster.

About Dr. Radesky

Jenny Radesky, MD, FAAP is an Assistant Professor in Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics at the University of Michigan Medical School. Within the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Radesky is a member of Council on Communications and Media and was the lead author of the AAP policy statement, " Media and Young Minds." Clinically, her work focuses on developmental and behavioral problems in low-income and underserved populations, family advocacy, parent-child relationship difficulties, and autism spectrum disorder. Follow Dr. Radesky on Twitter@jennyradesky.

About Dr. Moreno

Megan Moreno, MD, MSEd, MPH, FAAP, is an executive committee member on the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Communication and Media and the lead author of the 2016 academy policy statement, "Media Use in School-Aged Children and Adolescents." She is principal investigator of the Social Media and Adolescent Health Research Team (SMAHRT) within the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Moreno served on committee for the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine's 2016 report: "Preventing Bullying Through Science, Policy and Practice."

American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Communications and Media (Copyright © 2022)

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Social Media Design: 4 Things Parents Need to Know

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​Social media sites such as Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Discord, TikTok, YouTube, Twitch and Reddit are incredibly popular among children and teens. Kids seek social connection, entertainment and ideas through social media. But as they interact with these platforms, kids create a "digital footprint" that make them the target of digital marketing and other content aimed at influencing their behavior.

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Why Teens MUST Audit Their Digital Footprint BEFORE Applying To College

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66% of colleges said that an applicant’s social media is FAIR GAME during the admissions process. 

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66% of colleges said that an applicant’s social media is FAIR GAME during the admissions process. 

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What is a Digital Footprint?

Your digital footprint is made up of EVERYTHING you share digitally. That includes texts, photos, videos, social media posts, and for your kids, even their schoolwork. Once you make something digital, it becomes part of your digital footprint, which is akin to a permanent record that follows you the rest of your life.

Why do teens need to audit their digital footprint before applying to college?

Your digital persona matters when it comes to college admissions. If you're not already involved in the process, you ought to know that it's become sort of a competitive sport in it's own right. Parents and teens are doing everything they can to make sure that their application will stand out. In fact, the latest Kaplan survey of college admissions officers found that 66% said that an applicant's social media is FAIR GAME during the admissions process. What does that mean in practical terms for you/your teen? It means that you can no longer ignore the impact your teen's digital communication can have on their future.

"Do you want to risk potentially negating all the hard work you have invested throughout high school with one thoughtless post or comment?" Brennan Barnard

So, how do you audit your digital footprint?

1. To start, teens need to consider how other people, in this case, adult decision-makers, will view their posts. Will they understand the joke? Will they view the words, images, and video they shared in the light they intended it to be viewed? Social media, and especially digital text, is easily misunderstood. Tone, sarcasm, teasing, etc., often don't translate as the author intended. How many times have you read a text and thought the author meant one thing when they actually meant it something else (think all caps in text or emoji misunderstandings)?

2. After that, perform an audit. That means taking a look at ALL your social media accounts and examine through a different lens. That means, looking at all your posts with a critical eye and considering how someone who doesn't already know you would see them (someone like a college admissions officer or a future employer). Think about what your posts say about you as a person...about the quality of your character. Take a look at the red flag list below to see what colleges (and employers) DON'T want to see if they choose to check you out online. Edit or delete any posts that could cause a decision-maker (like an admissions officer) to question your character or judgment.

3. Next, Google yourself to see what comes up. Make sure you're not getting noticed for the wrong reason.

4. Finally, I suggest creating a LinkedIn account (using a "professional/grown-up" email address) that you'll be proud to use both during college admissions and beyond, when you're looking for a job. LinkedIn is a great place to not only highlight your accomplishments from high school (grades, activities, jobs, etc.), but also a platform to showcase your community service/volunteer experience, show-off and get endorsements for skills you have, and store recommendations from teachers, coaches, employers, and volunteer coordinators, that not only highlight you and your experience, but help you maintain connections, expand your network of support, and set you up for future success.

Beware of Red Flags

I conducted a survey of college admissions officers regarding how (and if) they use social media during the admissions process. One of the most interesting things to come out of that survey was a list of 5 "red flag" issues that if seen, lead them to question a candidate's character.
1. Symbols of Violence or Displays of Prejudice or Discrimination
Students must recognize that even though they may not view something as a symbol of violence (like the image of a gun), other might. Before posting, consider trying to take a look at your post as if you are behind a variety of lenses: How would someone in a different part of the country view your post? How would someone with different political opinions view your post? How would someone who has experienced negative outcomes due to something contained in your post view your post? How would someone older or younger or from a different religion or race view your post?

What we often forget is that for better or worse, we are often judged based on what we post and all that content becomes a part of our "personal brand".

Be thoughtful and try to view your words or images through the lenses of others who don't know you IRL and most likely will never contact you to ask you what you really meant by the post.
2. Partying, Alcohol or Drugs
You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. When you post about partying or images of yourself partying, it can lead adult decision-makers question your character and judgment especially if you're underage. Even a photo in your kitchen with beer bottles in the background that were from your parents' party the evening before and haven't made it to the recycling bin yet could get you into trouble. When someone sees a photo you've posted, they don't have any context from which to draw conclusions so in this case, they might assume those beer bottles were yours.

Once again, think about the lenses through which others will view your posts and recognize that no one will ever call you to ask if the beer bottles behind you in the photo are your or not. When it comes to posting party pictures, don't post anything photo you take while you're at the party. Instead, wait until the light of day to view them and make responsible decisions about what's smart/not smart to post.
3. Negative Comments about School
Every student at one time or another has been as a result of something that happened at school. Maybe it's a teacher you don't see eye-to-eye with or maybe it's a school or class policy you don't agree with. When you post negatively about your school, it can reflect negatively upon your character. Schools (secondary and colleges alike) have employees whose job it is to note every time their school is mentioned online.

When it comes to posting negatively about school, if you don't have something nice to say, it's better to say nothing at all.
4. Nudity or Partial Nudity
Everyone likes to post pics of themselves on vacation and while there's nothing wrong with sharing those good memories online, it's important to recognize that not all pictures should make the cut to post online. Before you post pics of yourself and your friends from your spring break trip, look at the angles in the photograph as well as the expressions on everyone's faces.

The angle of the photo of a girl on the beach or the pout on her face may cause the image to appear sexualized even if that wasn't the subject's or poster's intention. A good rule of thumb, if grandma or grandpa wouldn't like the photo then an adult judging your character online won't either.
5. Profanity
Every adult knows that teens and college students swear online and most aren't too offended by it. That number goes up however if your social media pages are filled with profanity.

Be thoughtful about the words you use online and make sure that before it's time to apply to college or for a job, you scan your posts and edit out most of the profanity or foul language you used in the past.

"Every year, there are high-profile cases of newly admitted students sharing a meme, posting a picture, or making a statement online that is inappropriate, leading to their offer of admission being revoked." Brennan Barnard

What Can You Do?

Take some time to go through your digital history and edit or remove posts that could cause someone (like a college admissions officer) to judge you negatively. That doesn't mean you can't be your authentic self online, BUT, it does mean though that you need to consider how other people might view or judge you based on what you choose to share online.

Julie Fisher, M.Ed. is digital parenting & technology coach at Your Digital Guardian. She is a seasoned educator, engagement & advocacy consultant, social media expert, speaker, and author who helps teesn navigate the complicated task of balancing the digital world with the real one.

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Why Teens MUST Audit Their Digital Footprint BEFORE Applying to College

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Your digital footprint is made up of EVERYTHING you share digitally. That includes texts, photos, videos, social media posts, and for your kids, even their schoolwork. Once you make something digital, it becomes part of your digital footprint, which is akin to a permanent record that follows you the rest of your life.

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10 things to know about digital footprint.JPG

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requires websites to remove anything a teen posts online if they request it. Supporters say this so-called "eraser" law would give embarrassed teens a chance to delete something they regret.

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Teens on the pressures and issues of social media

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Teens on the pressures and issues of social media

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Here’s what’s really happening on social media

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Nine teens share how apps such as Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok influence their lives.

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If you love data, this page has Pew Research Center's 2022 Teen Social Media Use survey results.

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If you love data, this page has Pew Research Center's 2022 Teen Social Media Use survey results.

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Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech

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TikTok has established itself as one of the top online platforms for U.S. teens, while the share of teens who use Facebook has fallen sharply

The landscape of social media is ever-changing, especially among teens who often are on the leading edge of this space. A new Pew Research Center survey of American teenagers ages 13 to 17 finds TikTok has rocketed in popularity since its North American debut several years ago and now is a top social media platform for teens among the platforms covered in this survey. Some 67% of teens say they ever use TikTok, with 16% of all teens saying they use it almost constantly. Meanwhile, the share of teens who say they use Facebook, a dominant social media platform among teens in the Center's 2014-15 survey, has plummeted from 71% then to 32% today.

YouTube tops the 2022 teen online landscape among the platforms covered in the Center's new survey, as it is used by 95% of teens. TikTok is next on the list of platforms that were asked about in this survey (67%), followed by Instagram and Snapchat, which are both used by about six-in-ten teens. After those platforms come Facebook with 32% and smaller shares who use Twitter, Twitch, WhatsApp, Reddit and Tumblr.

Changes in the social media landscape since 2014-15 extend beyond TikTok's rise and Facebook's fall. Growing shares of teens say they are using Instagram and Snapchat since then. Conversely, Twitter and Tumblr saw declining shares of teens who report using their platforms. And two of the platforms the Center tracked in the earlier survey - Vine and Google+ - no longer exist.

There are some notable demographic differences in teens' social media choices. For example, teen boys are more likely than teen girls to say they use YouTube, Twitch and Reddit, whereas teen girls are more likely than teen boys to use TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. In addition, higher shares of Black and Hispanic teens report using TikTok, Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp compared with White teens.

This study also explores the frequency with which teens are on each of the top five online platforms: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook. Fully 35% of teens say they are using at least one of them "almost constantly." Teen TikTok and Snapchat users are particularly engaged with these platforms, followed by teen YouTube users in close pursuit. A quarter of teens who use Snapchat or TikTok say they use these apps almost constantly, and a fifth of teen YouTube users say the same. When looking at teens overall, 19% say they use YouTube almost constantly, 16% say this about TikTok, and 15% about Snapchat.

When reflecting on the amount of time they spend on social media generally, a majority of U.S. teens (55%) say they spend about the right amount of time on these apps and sites, while about a third of teens (36%) say they spend too much time on social media. Just 8% of teens think they spend too little time on these platforms.

Asked about the idea of giving up social media, 54% of teens say it would be at least somewhat hard to give it up, while 46% say it would be at least somewhat easy. Teen girls are more likely than teen boys to express it would be difficult to give up social media (58% vs. 49%). Conversely, a quarter of teen boys say giving up social media would be very easy, while 15% of teen girls say the same. Older teens also say they would have difficulty giving up social media. About six-in-ten teens ages 15 to 17 (58%) say giving up social media would be at least somewhat difficult to do. A smaller share of 13- to 14-year-olds (48%) think this would be difficult.

Beyond just online platforms, the new survey finds that the vast majority of teens have access to digital devices, such as smartphones (95%), desktop or laptop computers (90%) and gaming consoles (80%). And the study shows there has been an uptick in daily teen internet users, from 92% in 2014-15 to 97% today. In addition, the share of teens who say they are online almost constantly has roughly doubled since 2014-15 (46% now and 24% then).

These are some of the findings from an online survey of 1,316 teens conducted by the Pew Research Center from April 14 to May 4, 2022. More details about the findings on adoption and use of digital technologies by teens are covered below.

Smartphones, desktop and laptop computers, and gaming consoles remain widely accessible to teens

Since 2014-15, there has been a 22 percentage point rise in the share of teens who report having access to a smartphone (95% now and 73% then). While teens' access to smartphones has increased over roughly the past eight years, their access to other digital technologies, such as desktop or laptop computers or gaming consoles, has remained statistically unchanged.

The survey shows there are differences in access to these digital devices for certain groups. For instance, teens ages 15 to 17 (98%) are more likely to have access to a smartphone than their 13- to 14-year-old counterparts (91%). In addition, teen boys are 21 points more likely to say they have access to gaming consoles than teen girls - a pattern that has been reported in prior Center research.

Access to computers and gaming consoles also differs by teens' household income. U.S. teens living in households that make $75,000 or more annually are 12 points more likely to have access to gaming consoles and 15 points more likely to have access to a desktop or laptop computer than teens from households with incomes under $30,000. These gaps in teen computer and gaming console access are consistent with digital divides by household income the Center has observed in previous teen surveys.

While 72% of U.S. teens say they have access to a smartphone, a computer and a gaming console at home, more affluent teens are particularly likely to have access to all three devices. Fully 76% of teens that live in households that make at least $75,000 a year say they have or have access to a smartphone, a gaming console and a desktop or laptop computer, compared with smaller shares of teens from households that make less than $30,000 or teens from households making $30,000 to $74,999 a year who say they have access to all three (60% and 69% of teens, respectively).

Almost all U.S. teens report using the internet daily

The share of teens who say they use the internet about once a day or more has grown slightly since 2014-15. Today, 97% of teens say they use the internet daily, compared with 92% of teens in 2014-15 who said the same.

In addition, the share of teens who say they use the internet almost constantly has gone up: 46% of teens say they use the internet almost constantly, up from only about a quarter (24%) of teenagers who said the same in 2014-15.

Black and Hispanic teens stand out for being on the internet more frequently than White teens. Some 56% of Black teens and 55% of Hispanic teens say they are online almost constantly, compared with 37% of White teens. The difference between Hispanic and White teens on this measure is consistent with previous findings when it comes to frequent internet use.

In addition, older teens are more likely to be online almost constantly. Some 52% of 15- to 17-year-olds say they use the internet almost constantly, while 36% of 13- to 14-year-olds say the same. Another demographic pattern in "almost constant" internet use: 53% of urban teens report being online almost constantly, while somewhat smaller shares of suburban and rural teens say the same (44% and 43%, respectively).

Slight differences are seen among those who say they engage in "almost constant" internet use based on household income. A slightly larger share of teens from households making $30,000 to $74,999 annually report using the internet almost constantly, compared with teens from homes making at least $75,000 (51% and 43%, respectively). Teens who live in households making under $30,000 do not significantly differ from either group.

This survey asked whether U.S. teens use 10 specific online platforms: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, WhatsApp, Reddit and Tumblr.

YouTube stands out as the most common online platform teens use out of the platforms measured, with 95% saying they ever use this site or app. Majorities also say they use TikTok (67%), Instagram (62%) and Snapchat (59%). Instagram and Snapchat use has grown since asked about in 2014-15, when roughly half of teens said they used Instagram (52%) and about four-in-ten said they used Snapchat (41%).

The share of teens using Facebook has declined sharply in the past decade. Today, 32% of teens report ever using Facebook, down 39 points since 2014-15, when 71% said they ever used the platform. Although today's teens do not use Facebook as extensively as teens in previous years, the platform still enjoys widespread usage among adults, as seen in other recent Center studies.

Other social media platforms have also seen decreases in usage among teens since 2014-15. Some 23% of teens now say they ever use Twitter, compared with 33% in 2014-15. Tumblr has seen a similar decline. While 14% of teens in 2014-15 reported using Tumblr, just 5% of teens today say they use this platform.

The online platforms teens flock to differ slightly based on gender. Teen girls are more likely than teen boys to say they ever use TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat, while boys are more likely to use Twitch and Reddit. Boys also report using YouTube at higher rates than girls, although the vast majority of teens use this platform regardless of gender.

Teens' use of certain online platforms also differs by race and ethnicity. Black and Hispanic teens are more likely than White teens to say they ever use TikTok, Instagram, Twitter or WhatsApp. Black teens also stand out for being more likely to use TikTok compared with Hispanic teens, while Hispanic teens are more likely than their peers to use WhatsApp.

Older teens are more likely than younger teens to say they use each of the online platforms asked about except for YouTube and WhatsApp. Instagram is an especially notable example, with a majority of teens ages 15 to 17 (73%) saying they ever use Instagram, compared with 45% of teens ages 13 to 14 who say the same (a 28-point gap).

Despite Facebook losing its dominance in the social media world with this new cohort of teens, higher shares of those living in lower- and middle-income households gravitate toward Facebook than their peers who live in more affluent households: 44% of teens living in households earning less than $30,000 a year and 39% of teens from households earning $30,000 to less than $75,000 a year say they ever use Facebook, while 27% of those from households earning $75,000 or more a year say the same. Differences in Facebook use by household income were found in previous Center surveys as well (however the differences by household income were more pronounced in the past).

When it comes to the frequency that teens use the top five platforms the survey looked at, YouTube and TikTok stand out as the platforms teens use most frequently. About three-quarters of teens visit YouTube at least daily, including 19% who report using the site or app almost constantly. A majority of teens (58%) visit TikTok daily, while about half say the same for Snapchat (51%) and Instagram (50%).

Looking within teens who use a given platform, TikTok and Snapchat stand out for having larger shares of teenage users who visit these platforms regularly. Fully 86% of teen TikTok or Snapchat users say they are on that platform daily and a quarter of teen users for both of these platforms say they are on the site or app almost constantly. Somewhat smaller shares of teen YouTube users (20%) and teen Instagram users (16%) say they are on those respective platforms almost constantly (about eight-in-ten teen users are on these platforms daily).

Not only is there a smaller share of teenage Facebook users than there was in 2014-15, teens who do use Facebook are also relatively less frequent users of the platform compared with the other platforms covered in this survey. Just 7% of teen Facebook users say they are on the site or app almost constantly (representing 2% of all teens). Still, about six-in-ten teen Facebook users (57%) visit the platform daily.

Across these five platforms, 35% of all U.S. teens say they are on at least one of them almost constantly. While this is not a comprehensive rundown of all teens who use any kind of online platform almost constantly, this 35% of teens represent a group of relatively heavy platform users and they clearly have different views about their use of social media compared with those who say they use at least one of these platforms, though less often than "almost constantly." Those findings are covered in a later section.

Larger shares of Black and Hispanic teens say they are on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram almost constantly than White teens. For example, Black and Hispanic teens are roughly five times more likely than White teens to say they are on Instagram almost constantly.

Hispanic teens are more likely to be frequent users of Snapchat than White or Black teens: 23% of Hispanic teens say they use this social media platform almost constantly, while 12% of White teens and 11% of Black teens say the same. There are no racial and ethnic differences in teens' frequency of Facebook usage.

Overall, Hispanic (47%) and Black teens (45%) are more likely than White teens (26%) to say they use at least one of these five online platforms almost constantly.

As social media use has become a common part of many teens' daily routine, the Center asked U.S. teens how they feel about the amount of time they are spending on social media. A slight majority (55%) say the amount of time they spend of social media is about right, and smaller shares say they spend too much time or too little time on these platforms.

While a majority of teen boys and half of teen girls say they spend about the right amount of time on social media, this sentiment is more common among boys. Teen girls are more likely than their male counterparts to say they spend too much time on social media. In addition, White teens are more likely to see their time using social media as about right compared with Hispanic teens. Black teens do not differ from either group.

This analysis also explored how teens who frequently use these platforms may feel about their time on them and how those feelings may differ from teens who use these sites and apps less frequently. To do this, two groups were constructed. The first group is the 35% of teens who say they use at least one of the five platforms this survey covered - YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook - almost constantly. The other group consists of teens who say they use these platforms but not as frequently - that is, they use at least one of these five platforms but use them less often than "almost constantly."

When asked how they feel about the time they spend on social media, 53% of teens who almost constantly use at least one of the platforms say they are on social media too much, while about three-in-ten teens (28%) who use at least one of these platforms but less often say the same.

Teens who are almost constantly online - not just on social media - also stand out for saying they spend too much time on social media: 51% say they are on social media too much. By comparison, 26% of teens who are online several times a day say they are on social media too much.

When reflecting on what it would be like to try to quit social media, teens are somewhat divided whether this would be easy or difficult. Some 54% of U.S. teens say it would be very (18%) or somewhat hard (35%) for them to give up social media. Conversely, 46% of teens say it would be at least somewhat easy for them to give up social media, with a fifth saying it would be very easy.

Teenage girls are slightly more likely to say it would be hard to give up social media than teen boys (58% vs. 49%). A similar gap is seen between older and younger teens, with teens 15 to 17 years old being more likely than 13- and 14-year-olds to say it would be at least somewhat hard to give up social media.

A majority of teens who use at least one of the platforms asked about in the survey "almost constantly" say it would be hard to give up social media, with 32% saying it would be very hard. Smaller shares of teens who use at least one of these online platforms but use them less often say the same.

The teens who think they spend too much time on social media also report they would struggle to step back completely from it. Teens who say they spend too much time on social media are 36 percentage points more likely than teens who see their usage as about right to say giving up social media would be hard (78% vs. 42%). In fact, about three-in-ten teens who say they use social media too much (29%) say it would be very hard for them to give up social media. Conversely, a majority of teens who see their social media usage as about right (58%) say that it would be at least somewhat easy for them to give it up.

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Emily A. Vogels, Risa Gelles-Watnick and Navid Massarat

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The landscape of social media is ever-changing, especially among teens who often are on the leading edge of this space. A new survey of American teenagers ages 13 to 17 finds that TikTok has established itself as one of the top online platforms for U.S.

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"Before you post a photo of your tween or teen on social media, ask them if it's OK to share. Not only will you give them control over their own digital footprint, you'll be showing them what you expect them to do with others' photos."

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"Together, go through all the settings on new apps to make sure you both know what information your kids are sharing. Especially in the beginning, it's better to share very little. Sit down with tweens and teens to show the privacy settings you use on your apps and devices. Talk about why you keep certain information private or limited to a small group. Ask them what information they feel comfortable sharing and why."

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With older kids, choose a celebrity or another famous person and look through their Twitter or Instagram posts with your kid. Discuss your impressions of them based on what they post. Ask your kid what kind of image they'd like to project online.

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Take turns looking up your name and your kid's name on a search engine and a social platform. Discuss the results. Are you both comfortable with what information and images are available to strangers? Is there anyone whom you wouldn't want to see those results?

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"As a parent, make sure you are nurturing the positive aspects of social media as well as discussing the dangers. By doing so, you will help your kids develop social media savvy, a skill that will ultimately help them in the years to come." 

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"As a parent, make sure you are nurturing the positive aspects of social media as well as discussing the dangers. By doing so, you will help your kids develop social media savvy, a skill that will ultimately help them in the years to come." 

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Almost every day there are reports of cyberbullying in the news. Combine this with the fact that victims of cyberbullying often suffer significant consequences, and it is not surprising that most parents equate social media with something that is bad for kids.

And while it is important for parents to instill healthy habits surrounding social media use-including limiting and monitoring time online-it is also important to recognize that social media is not a bad thing. It only becomes a bad thing when people misuse it for bullying, public shaming, and rumor spreading. In fact, research shows there are numerous benefits to social media use.

Benefits of Social Media for Youth

While the overuse of electronics and social media can certainly be a problem, there are also numerous potential benefits of social media for youth, including the following:

Strengthening friendships

Motivating kids to do good

Reducing feelings of isolation

Becoming a source of support

Building a platform

Encouraging personal expression

Accessing information

Social Media Can Strengthen Friendships

There is no doubt that friendships are a key component of teen life. When kids have healthy friendships, they not only feel accepted for who they are, but they also feel more empowered and connected to the world around them. Friends also can speak truth into their lives and encourage them to explore their dreams.

What's more, research has shown that having at least one solid friendship can go a long way in preventing bullying. In fact, bullies often target teens that are alone or isolated. But teens that have a core group of friends often have a built-in layer of protection from bullying.

More than half of teens believe that social media helps their friendships.

According to a survey by Common Sense Media, 52% of teens felt that social media improved their friendships and only 4% felt it hurt them. Additionally, the study found that nearly 30% of social media users believe that social networking makes them feel more confident and outgoing.

Social Media Is a Vehicle for Doing Good

Whether teens are developing fundraisers or supporting an important cause, social media can help them make an impact in their communities. Some social movements have started when teens leveraged social media to build awareness for an issue.

Whether they make YouTube videos or develop Twitter campaigns, teens have more impact on the world around them because of social media. Moreover, their voices are being heard more frequently.

Social media also exposes kids to important issues all over the world, not just those in their communities. As a result, they realize that social media is a way for them to help and support people even from far away. They can instantaneously make an impact on things like hunger in Africa, preserving the rain forest, or providing educational tools for kids without resources.

Social Media Reduces Feelings of Isolation

While social media can make adults feel lonelier, researchers are finding the opposite may be true for teens. One study found that even though teens have fewer friends than teens did a decade ago, they still report feeling less lonely than their counterparts. They also report feeling less isolated. Researchers suggest that the difference is social media and technology.

As teens find their niche, they are becoming more individualistic and more extroverted and have higher self-esteem. This increased individuality makes teens more secure in existing friendships and reduces feelings of loneliness overall. This is especially true if those friendships are healthy.

This research also suggests that teens are developing stronger social skills due to social media use. As technology becomes a bigger part of everyday life, solid online communication skills are important. Through social media, teens learn how to navigate social networking sites and other methods of online communication. This makes them better communicators in an increasingly digital world.

Social Media Is a Source of Authentic Support

Years ago, if teens were interested in a quirky subject or were grappling with who they were as a person, they often felt marginalized and alone. Today, teens can connect with others that share similar interests, desires, and concerns. This connection helps them feel validated and secure in who they are.

Another way teens are finding support is through online communities. For instance, kids struggling with issues like drug addiction and eating disorders now can find help and support online without ever having to leave their homes. This is especially helpful for teens in small communities or rural areas where resources may be limited.

Teens experiencing suicide ideation can even get immediate access to quality online support. One example of online support occurred when a Reddit Minecraft community talked a teen out of suicide. Aside from posting positive comments and messages, more than 50 of the users used voice conferencing to persuade the teen not to go through with it. This is a perfect example of how social media and technology can benefit teens today.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

Social Media Can Build a Platform

Your teen can use social media to begin developing an online presence that can attract the attention of colleges and future employers. For instance, some teens make YouTube videos or write blog posts on topics they are passionate about.

A young teen who has a passion for reading and writing might publish book reviews or film videos with their thoughts, ideas, and comments. As their work gains traction online, they may even develop a following which could include authors, literary agents, and publishers.

Then, when this teen applies for college, they can reference their social media accounts on college applications. This work demonstrates their creativity and maturity, but also shows that they are a self-starter.

Building a platform on social media can open a lot of doors for teens and help them build a positive online reputation. It also can expose them to college scholarships, college networks, and even a future career. And it can change their perspective on social media. It's no longer just a place to post silly pictures or observe digital drama. It becomes a tool they can use to share their passions and eventually find a career path.​

Social Media Allows for Personal Expression

Digital technology is the perfect tool for channeling creativity and personal expression. Whether kids enjoy singing, writing, or acting, they can share these talents with the world around them. Kids who enjoy fashion, make-up trends, or craft projects also can express themselves online. Providing this avenue of self-expression is important for teens.

Research shows that there is a direct connection between self-expression and self-confidence. When kids are given avenues for being authentic and true to themselves, they become content with who they are and happier overall.

By contrast, when they do not have many opportunities to express themselves or they do not know people with the same passions or interests, they begin to wonder if there is something wrong with them. They also question why they are not like everyone else.

Social Media Is a Tool for Gathering Information

Social media has become a source of information and news for many teens. Once they begin social networking, they can follow just about anyone with a social media account. From authors and athletes to celebrities, chefs, nonprofit organizations, and magazines, they are connected to all sorts of information.

Teens also can gather information about issues that impact them or their friends. For instance, if they are concerned a friend might have an eating disorder or a drug addiction, they can gather information about it. Or, if they want to learn more about a presidential election, climate change, or even find new ways to eat healthily, they can do so on their social media accounts.

A Word From Verywell

Overall, social media does not have to be scary. Even though it can be exploited by kids who bully others, instilling good digital etiquette and maintaining an open dialogue about online safety can go a long way in keeping kids safe online.

As a parent, make sure you are nurturing the positive aspects of social media as well as discussing the dangers. By doing so, you will help your kids develop social media savvy, a skill that will ultimately help them in the years to come.

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Why Social Media Is More Than a Vehicle for Cyberbullying With Teens

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Parents often assume social media is a bad thing. But there are some surprising benefits to its use among teenagers. Here's what you need to know.

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Passive use vs active use of social media can change how you feel after using social media

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Passive use vs active use of social media can change how you feel after using social media

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How Do Different Social Media Platforms Affect Your Mood?

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Pros and Cons of TikTok on Kid's Mental Health

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Pros and Cons of TikTok on Kid's Mental Health

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8 Pros and Cons of TikTok On Kids' Mental Health

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TikTok is the hottest social media app of the day. One of the most prevalent concerns about this platform is the effect it can potentially have upon mental health. Some argue that TikTok offers more upsides than downsides. Here is our take...

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https://www.commonsense.org/education/family-tips/6-12-digital-footprint-and-identity
https://www.kathleenamorris.com/2018/06/12/digital-footprints/

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As tweens and teens start sharing content and engaging with others online, it's important for them to understand the tracks they're leaving behind and what those tracks might reveal. Parents can help guide kids toward creating the kind of footprint they can be proud of.

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Grades 6-12 Family Tips: Digital Footprint & Identity

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As tweens and teens start sharing content and engaging with others online, it's important for them to understand the tracks they're leaving behind and what those tracks might reveal. Parents can help guide kids toward creating the kind of footprint they can be proud of.