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Saved February 14, 2026
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A Pew Research survey reveals that most U.S. teens actively use social media, with YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram being the most popular platforms. AI chatbots like ChatGPT are also gaining traction, with about two-thirds of teens reporting usage. The article explores usage patterns across demographics and highlights changes over time.
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Teens' relationship with social media remains complex, with many expressing mixed feelings about its effects while still engaging with it frequently. A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals that around two-thirds of U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 use AI chatbots, with roughly 30% reporting daily use. YouTube is the most popular platform, used by about 90% of teens, followed by TikTok and Instagram (around 60% each), with Snapchat at 55%. Facebook and WhatsApp have seen declines in teen engagement, with Facebook usage dropping from 71% in 2014-15 to 31% today.
Demographic factors influence platform preferences. Girls are more likely to use Snapchat and Instagram, while boys lean towards Reddit and YouTube. Black teens show higher usage rates for platforms like Instagram and TikTok compared to their White and Hispanic peers. Older teens (15-17) engage more with platforms than younger ones (13-14), particularly Instagram. In terms of income, lower-income teens tend to use TikTok and Facebook more than their higher-income counterparts.
Daily engagement with social media is prominent. Three-quarters of teens use YouTube daily, with 61% on TikTok and 55% on Instagram. Some teens describe their usage as "almost constant," especially on TikTok and YouTube. In the realm of AI chatbots, ChatGPT leads in popularity, used by 59% of teens, significantly higher than the next options, Gemini (23%) and Meta AI (20%). Daily use of chatbots is more common among Black and Hispanic teens compared to their White peers, and older teens also show higher engagement rates.
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