TikTok and YouTube Prove to Be Teens' Favorite Social Media Platforms

In the dynamic landscape of social media, the preferences of today’s tech-savvy generation are continuously evolving. Yet, three platforms have emerged as steadfast staples in the daily lives of teenagers: YouTube, TikTok, and Revealed. These platforms have not only captured the attention of adolescents but have also become integral components of their social interactions, self-expression, and entertainment.

From the immersive world of YouTube, where content creators wield influence with their diverse range of videos, to the short-form creativity of TikTok and the intriguing allure of Revealed, these three social media giants have solidified their positions as the most constantly utilized platforms shaping the digital experiences of teens across the globe.

This trio reflects the ever-changing nature of social media consumption, providing a unique lens through which to observe the evolving trends and preferences of the youngest members of the online community.

According to a poll by the Pew Research Center in 2023, adolescents’ social media platforms are YouTube and TikTok. The research indicates that nearly one in five adolescents in the United States use TikTok and YouTube “almost constantly.”

The results of the Pew study, which was conducted between September 26 and October 23 of this year and included 1,453 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 as respondents, were made public on Monday. The results showed that known apps continued to command most of the market share.

The two video-sharing sites are at the top of the list in terms of daily usage for adolescents in the United States who are between the ages of 13 and 17 (according to the survey) since users frequently visit YouTube, which is the most popular platform. Seven out of ten adolescents view the video-sharing website daily, with sixteen percent stating that they do it “almost constantly.”

A close second place was achieved by TikTok, which is owned by Bytedance and is used daily by 58% of adolescents—17% of those claim to utilize TikTok on a nearly constant basis.

Applications Behind YouTube and TikTok

Two video-sharing sites are at the top of the social media pyramid: YouTube and TikTok. Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook are the platforms that came in after these two platforms.

According to the findings of the Pew poll, Snapchat finished in third place overall in terms of daily usage, followed by Instagram. However, Snapchat is used by a somewhat higher number of users than Instagram, with 14% of users actively using the app, while Instagram only has 8% of users using it.

Facebook came in at number five, with only three percent of adolescents claiming to use the platform owned by Meta “almost constantly,” and only nineteen percent of those who participated in the survey claiming to use it daily.

According to the survey, 93 percent of adolescents claim they use YouTube regularly, making it the most popular social media network among adolescents in the United States. This is particularly true in terms of general usage beyond a daily basis. This figure dropped by two percentage points compared to the previous year, 2022.

This measurement also revealed that TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram were behind YouTube by at least 30 percentage points. Both of these platforms were behind YouTube. According to the survey results, usage on three of the four platforms had experienced a slight decline over the previous year. Conversely, Snapchat saw a one percent rise in its user base.

Facebook’s Woes

The percentage of teenagers who use Facebook daily is expected to drop from 71% in 2014-2015 to 33% in 2023, reflecting regular usage. There has also been a decrease in teenage Twitter users, now known as X.

In October, a group of 33 states, including California and New York, filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms, claiming that the company was complicit in the issue of teenage mental health by intentionally and knowingly creating features on Facebook and Instagram that encourage young users to become addicted to the social media sites. The Associated Press adds that the algorithms used by social media companies have recently come under fire. This comes after the lawsuit was filed. Meta is denying the allegations that were made.