Adolescent Tech Usage Transformed by COVID-19 Impact
In the digital age, social media platforms have become a significant part of teenagers' lives. According to the Pew Research Center's "Teens, Social Media and Technology 2018" report, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are the most popular social media apps among teenagers.
YouTube leads the pack with around 90% usage among Gen Z, followed closely by Instagram (75%), TikTok (69%), and Snapchat (64%). These figures highlight the dominance of these platforms among teenagers.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further accentuated the role of social media in teenagers' lives. Rideout, Fox, Peebles, and Robb's "Factsheet: The coronavirus, depression, and social media use among U.S. teens and young adults" reveals that during the pandemic, social media usage among teens increased significantly.
TikTok, with its short, engaging video content, has seen a surge in popularity during this period. The platform's daily average usage time has rivaled that of YouTube, according to Statista's "Approximate daily time spent by children on digital devices during COVID-19 outbreak according to parents in the United States as of August 2020."
However, it's important to note that excessive screen time can pose risks. Despite this awareness, over half of Gen Z spends at least four hours daily on social media, a figure that intensified during pandemic-related lockdowns and social distancing.
Parents play a crucial role in managing their children's screen time. It's essential to establish and consistently enforce rules regarding social media usage. By doing so, parents can help their children maintain a healthy balance between online and offline activities.
Common Sense Media's "Tweens, Teens, and Phones: What Our 2019 Research Reveals" provides insights into teen and tween phone usage. The report shows that the average time spent by teens watching videos online has increased from about a half-hour a day to an hour a day.
Moreover, the number of youth who watch videos online "every day" has more than doubled, going from 24% to 56% among 8- to 12-year-olds, and from 34% to 69% among 13- to 18-year-olds.
Parents can learn about social media sites and their privacy settings through resources like commonsensemedia.org. They can also explore online monitoring tools, such as those offered by their service provider or fee-based services, to ensure their children's online safety.
In addition, parents can model the behaviour they want for their teens regarding social media use. By demonstrating responsible use of social media, parents can guide their children towards healthy online habits.
The University of Minnesota Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare has resources on youth in care and social media use. These resources can provide valuable insights for parents who are concerned about their children's social media usage.
In conclusion, while social media provides a valuable means of connection and entertainment for teenagers, it's crucial for parents to manage their children's screen time effectively. By establishing rules, learning about social media privacy settings, and modelling responsible use, parents can help their children maintain a healthy balance between online and offline activities.
Technology has transformed entertainment, with social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat becoming popular sources of entertainment for teenagers. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accentuated this shift, as social media use among teens has significantly increased, particularly on platforms such as TikTok. However, it's essential for parents to be aware of the amount of screen time their children are spending on these platforms to ensure a healthy balance between online and offline activities.
