Teens Say Social Media Boosts Friendships, Mental Health: Pew Report
A new Pew Research report surveying 1,458 U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 finds that social media is doing more good than many parents believe. Alongside one parent per teen, the study examined how young people use Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram — and what they actually get out of it.
Teens reported turning to TikTok primarily for entertainment and product discovery, while Snapchat remained their go-to platform for staying in touch with friends. The private, ephemeral nature of Snapchat appears to make teens feel more comfortable posting and messaging there than on other platforms.
TikTok’s Double-Edged Influence
Despite its popularity, TikTok drew the most concern around sleep disruption and reduced productivity. Its algorithmically driven feed keeps users scrolling well past intended limits. However, teens also credited TikTok — alongside Snapchat and Instagram — with improving their mental health and strengthening friendships, pointing to a more nuanced picture than public debate often allows.
The Parent-Teen Perception Gap
Parents in the study largely viewed social media as harmful, even while acknowledging its connective value. This generational divide helps explain why governments continue pushing for teen social media restrictions — parents represent an active voting bloc whose concerns carry political weight.
Still, researchers caution that banning platforms may simply shift teen attention to alternatives rather than meaningfully reducing screen time. Understanding how teens genuinely use and benefit from social media is essential before drawing sweeping policy conclusions.