U.S. teens spend nearly five hours a day on Social Media

A recent Gallup poll reveals that American teenagers, particularly 17-year-old girls, dedicate a substantial portion of their daily lives to social media. The survey, conducted as part of a broader examination of family and adolescent health, gathered data from 6,643 parents and 1,591 adolescents during the summer.

According to the findings, the average U.S. teen spends 4.8 hours daily on social media apps, including popular platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). Notably, 17-year-olds spend 5.8 hours daily, almost a quarter of an average day, while 13-year-olds spend 4.1 hours. Teen girls spend about an hour more per day on social media than boys, with an average of 5.3 hours compared to 4.4 hours for boys.

YouTube emerges as the dominant platform, accounting for 1.9 hours of daily teen viewing, closely followed by TikTok at 1.5 hours. Despite parents' concerns, the data indicates that social media takes precedence over homework for many teens, with 76.7% spending two or more hours daily on social media, compared to 29.1% dedicating the same amount of time to homework.

Interestingly, the survey highlights parental attitudes toward screen time restrictions, revealing that 25% strongly agree with limiting screen time for children aged 3 to 19. The findings also substantiate concerns about the impact of extensive social media use on mental health. Teens who spend five or more hours daily on social media are more likely to experience sadness or have suicidal thoughts than those who spend less time.

The implications of these findings are significant, prompting discussions about appropriate social media use, regulation by parents and institutions, and the potential impact on mental health. The Institute for Family Studies, a conservative-leaning think tank, emphasizes the need for guidance from parents, clinicians, and public health officials to address these concerns.