A recent study by Monima Wellness, a mental health treatment centre, has spotlighted alarming trends in US teenagers’ social media habits, drawing on data from the Pew Research Center. The findings reveal that over one-third of teens use at least one major social media platform almost constantly, prompting concerns about the impact on their identity formation and susceptibility to peer pressure.

The Pew Research Center’s data underscores a significant shift in platform preferences among teens. TikTok leads with 67% of teens using it, followed closely by Instagram at 62% and Snapchat at 59%. In contrast, Facebook’s popularity has plummeted, with only 32% of teens engaging with the platform, down from 71% in 2014-15. The study also highlights a growing dependence on social media, with 54% of teens reporting that giving it up would be at least somewhat difficult. This sentiment is particularly pronounced among girls (58%) and older teens aged 15-17 (58%).

The research identifies distinct demographic patterns in social media engagement. 

• Gender differences. Girls are more likely to use TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, while boys gravitate towards YouTube, Twitch, and Reddit.
• Racial and ethnic disparities. Black and Hispanic teens report higher usage of TikTok, Instagram, and WhatsApp, and are more likely to be online almost constantly.
• Age-related trends. Older teens (15-17) exhibit heavier social media use and find it harder to disconnect compared to their younger counterparts.

Dr Max Doshay, a Doctor of Psychology and CEO and Co-founder of Monima Wellness, explains the psychological implications of these trends. “When children try to fit into rigid roles, they base their decisions on what they see around them. And nowadays, these images and ideas that children consume, especially on social media, can drastically change and distort their understanding of personality and life around them,” he says.

Dr Doshay further notes the role of peer dynamics in amplifying these effects. “Children usually begin following trends when they start wanting to become a part of society and have this need to fit in. It intensifies during school years when peer relationships become more important and children become hyperaware of how others perceive them, where rejection can feel devastating,” he observes.

The data reveals that 97% of US teens access the internet daily, with 46% reporting they are online almost constantly—a sharp rise from 24% in 2014-15. This near-constant connectivity is enabled by widespread smartphone ownership, with 95% of teens possessing a smartphone.

For parents grappling with their children’s social media use, Dr Doshay offers practical advice. “Parents who feel worried about their children following trends should start with observing these behaviours and understanding who they want to follow and what images to fit in. The best is not to encourage or discourage these behaviours, but have a friendly and open conversation and gently encourage a child to follow what they feel is best, not pressuring them into something they saw on social media, even if they don’t feel like it,” he recommends.