If you’re worried about what your kids are doing on Facebook, you probably don’t need to be, because according to a new Pew Research poll, not many of them are actually on Facebook.
The poll finds that YouTube is actually the most popular social media site amongst teems with 85% of teens saying they use YouTube, and another 32% saying the use it most often. While Facebook was the most dominant platform just three years ago, with 71% using it, it’s now dropped to fourth, with only 51% of teens saying they use it, and only 10% saying they use it most often.
Most Popular Social Media Platforms for Teens
- YouTube (85%)
- Instagram (72%)
- Snapchat (69%)
- Facebook (51%)
- Twitter (32%)
- Tumbler (9%)
- Reddit (7%)
- None of the above (3%)
When it comes to social media in general, 31% of teens say it has a positive effect on their lives, while 45% believe it has a mostly negative effect. As for the reasons for that negative effect, they include:
- Bullying/rumor spreading (27%)
- Harms relationships/lack of personal contact (17%)
- Unrealistic views of other’s lives (15%)
- Causes distractions /addiction (14%)
- Peer pressure (12%)
- Causes mental health issues (4%)
- Drama in general (2%)
And good luck trying to get teens to take a break, with the poll finding that most have at least some access to a phone or computer. In fact, the poll finds 88% of U.S. teens have access to a desktop computer or laptop, while 95% have access to a smartphone.
Source: Pew Research