YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram Remain Most Used Platforms Among Teens
According to findings from a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center on social media habits, the platforms continue to dominate among the U.S. teen demographic. The survey found YouTube holds strong as the preferred platform, with nine in ten teenagers actively using it.
TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram follow closely behind, with 63%, 60%, and 59% engagement rates, respectively. Facebook’s popularity has dwindled down to 33% today, while X experiences a milder decline. TikTok boasts a 58% daily usage rate, including 17% almost constant users among teens.
Nearly half of teens report being online “almost constantly,” with smartphone ownership almost universal, a finding which highlights the importance of optimising apps for mobile use.
Despite ongoing debates over social media’s impact on teens, the high engagement rates and social media use by the demographic shows no signs of slowing down. Usage patterns show stability, sustained high engagement rates and some demographic nuances.
Teen girls are more likely than boys to use Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, BeReal, and Facebook. Platforms which boys are more likely than girls to use include Youtube, Reddit, Discord and Twitch.
In terms of race and ethnicity data, Hispanic teens are the most active on TikTok and Whatsapp, and both Hispanic and Black teens spend more time on the internet than other groups. BeReal is the only platform that Caucasian teens are more likely to use than those of another ethnicity.
Notably, while most access social media via a smartphone, a computer or a gaming console, a significant share (65%) use a tablet. Another consistent trend is teens from lower-income households spending the most time online.
