“Social Media, Social Lives: Teens Dish on Everything from Cyberbullying to Digital Distraction”

…from the post

“Social Media Use- They can’t stop. They won’t stop. 70 percent of teens use social media more than once a day (compared to 34 percent in 2012). Interestingly, most teens think technology companies manipulate users to spend more time on their devices. Many of them also think that social media distracts them and and their friends…”

“Preferred Social Networks- Snapchat and Instagram are where it’s at. In 2012 Facebook utterly dominated social networking use among teens. Today, only 15 percent say it’s their main site (when one 16-year-old girl was asked in a focus group who she communicates with on Facebook, she replied, “My grandparents”).”

“Social Media Psychological Impact on Teens- Thumbs mostly up. Only a very few teens say that using social media has a negative effect on how they feel about themselves; many more say it has a positive effect. 25 percent say social media makes them feel less lonely (compared to 3 percent who say more); 18 percent say it makes them feel better about themselves (compared to 4 percent who say worse); and 16 percent say it makes them feel less depressed (compared to 3 percent who say more).”

yet…

“Managing Digital Overload- Managing devices is hit or miss. Many turn off, silence, or put away their phones at key times such as when going to sleep, having meals with people, visiting family, or doing homework. But many others do not: A significant number of teens say they “hardly ever” or “never” silence or put away their devices.”

Link: https://blog.mozilla.org/internetcitizen/2018/09/10/social-media-social-lives-common-sense/