Study Finds Half of US Teens Are Online Nearly Constantly

New Delhi: A recent Pew Research Center study reveals that nearly half of US teenagers, aged 13 to 17, are online almost constantly, primarily on social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. This growing trend raises concerns about the impact of digital technology on youth.

The survey shows that YouTube remains the most popular platform, with 73% of teens using it daily, including 15% who describe their usage as “almost constant.” Overall, nine-in-ten teenagers reported being active on YouTube.

The report highlights a sharp rise in the number of teens who are online almost constantly, increasing from 24% a decade ago to nearly 50% today. Meanwhile, 96% of teenagers say they use the internet daily, demonstrating the pervasive role of digital connectivity in their lives.

Platforms like TikTok and Instagram also attract significant teen engagement, with approximately six-in-ten teenagers using each platform. About 16% of TikTok users and 12% of Instagram users describe their usage as almost constant, marking a slight increase in Instagram's numbers compared to 2023. Snapchat also draws daily attention from around half of teens, with roughly one-in-10 using it almost constantly.

However, the use of platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) has declined steeply among teenagers over the past decade. Currently, 32% of teens use Facebook, while only 17% use X. In contrast, about a quarter of teenagers use WhatsApp, and 14% are active on Reddit.

Interestingly, across all five major platforms, one-third of teenagers report using at least one almost constantly. Gender differences were observed in platform preferences. Teenage girls are more likely to use Instagram (66% vs. 56%) and TikTok (66% vs. 59%) compared to boys, while boys are more likely to use YouTube (93% vs. 87%). However, no gender differences were found in the frequency of constant use of Instagram or Facebook.

The study comes amid growing international concerns about teenage social media usage. For instance, Australia recently announced a ban on social media for children under 16, which will take effect in late 2025 and apply to platforms like Instagram, X, and Snapchat.

As teen engagement with social media continues to rise, the report underscores the importance of understanding its long-term implications for mental health, social development, and overall well-being.