Teens seems to be unconcerned about effects of social media on their lives

November 17, 2022 By Raulf Hernes

(Image Credit Google)

With widely spread misinformation, echo chambers, and dubious fact-checking, not to mention Twitter on the verge of collapse, you'd think today's teenagers would regard social media as a cesspool. However, a Pew Research Center survey released today paints a much more positive picture of how today's teens perceive the impact of social media on their lives.

Recent Study

Between April 14th and May 4th, 2022, the Pew Research Center surveyed 1,316 American teenagers aged 13 to 17. Children reported a more subtle — and often rosier — experience than adults who were brought up in pre-social-media eras might expect, similar to a previous version of the poll from 2018.

Eighty percent of teens polled say social media makes them more attached to their friends' lives, while 71% say it gives them a space to express their creativity. Sixty-seven percent said it connects them with people who help them through difficult times, while 58 percent said it makes them feel more accepted.

Most teenagers describe social media as a mostly neutral experience, with 59% saying it has no positive or negative impact on them. Nonetheless, it is more positive than negative, with more adolescents saying it has been favorable (32 percent) than unfavorable (nine percent).

Many of the teens polled, however, expressed concerns. Thirty-eight percent said they are overwhelmed by the daily drama on the platforms, and one-third believe their friends are leaving them out of things. Another 29% feel pressured to post content that receives a lot of likes or comments, and 23% say social media apps make them feel worse about their lifestyles. According to The Wall Street Journal in 2021, Meta knew its device made teen girls feel bad about themselves — and then downplayed it.

Effects of Excessive Use of Social Media on Teens

In today's climate, online privacy is a hot topic, and teens report low levels of confidence — or concern — about social media platforms harvesting their data. Sixty percent of adolescent respondents say they have little to no regulation over how companies are using their data. 44 percent are unconcerned about how much information social media companies have on them. One in every ten teens polled says they use social media to promote political action or to discuss social issues. When compared to Republicans, this rate more than increased among Democrat or left-leaning teens.

Teen girls report feeling more overwhelmed than their male counterparts: 45 percent versus about one-third. Girls were more likely to say that social media has made them feel excluded. Older girls report being more cautious about sharing content that could be used against them: Half of the girls aged 15 to 17 say they avoid posting content because they are afraid of being embarrassed. Younger girls and adolescent boys have lower rates of reporting the same.

Self-reporting surveys can show how polled groups perceive how social media influences them. However, assuming that it always tends to reflect reality would be a mistake. Previous studies that focused on measurable effects concluded that it is primarily dependent on how you use it. Those who use social media platforms to connect with others, for example, gain more than those who read content passively.

The survey did not address the rate at which teens use social media. Although Gen Z, which includes the majority of today's teenagers, continues to use social media extensively, it is the only generation that is declining in use. Perhaps growing up with social media has resulted in generational apathy.