45% of Teens Say They Spend Too Much Time on Social Media

Welcome to Parent Pixels, a parenting newsletter filled with practical advice, news, and resources to support you and your kids in the digital age. This week:

• 45% of teens say they spend too much time on social media, which parents have been saying since 2010.
• More kids are intentionally cutting back on their smartphones and tablets to better manage their mental health. How can parents support them?
• How can AI actually make parenting easier? We break down the ways ChatGPT can be used for more than just writing emails.

Digital Parenting

📵 Today’s teens are more aware of the negative effects of social media: New research from Pew Research Center reveals that more teens believe they spend too much time on social platforms (which parents have been telling them since they signed up). The findings are based on a survey of teens ages 13–17. Here are a few highlights:

• Nine-in-ten teens say they use YouTube, followed by TikTok (63%), Instagram (61%), and Snapchat (55%). 
• About three-quarters of teens (73%) visit YouTube daily, and 15% say they use it “almost constantly.” As for TikTok, 57% use it daily, and 16% report near-constant use.
• 48% of teens say social media has a mostly negative effect on people their age, up from 32% in 2022. 
• And as parents who check their teen’s screen time reports know, 45% of teens say they spend too much time on social media. This is up from 26% in 2023.
• Four-in-ten teens say using social media hurts their productivity, and 45% say this about their amount of sleep. About one-in-five say it hurts their grades (22%) and mental health (19%)
• 44% of teens say they’ve cut back on social media use.

Pew’s findings echo new research from GWI that states more young people are limiting their screen time to better manage their mental health, personal safety, and attention span. Since 2022, the number of 12- to 15-year-olds who take breaks from devices rose 18% to 40%.

“Many of them are waking up to the fact that these platforms aren’t neutral. They’re designed to manipulate attention … They are realising that their time, focus and self-esteem are being monetised by some of the world’s biggest companies. Taking a break has become an act of rebellion.” - Daisy Greenwell

What this means for you: More teens are exhausted by the pressure of being chronically online. If your child uses social media, check in with them regularly to discuss how their online interactions make them feel. We always recommend:

1. Encourage your child to find IRL ways to fill their cup, like pursuing hobbies and extracurriculars outside of school and spending time with their friends in-person. Save this list of ways to help your child make strong offline friendships.
2. Stay involved in their online lives. Social media platforms aren’t made for kids — they’re made for attention and engagement. Monitoring their social platforms and setting parental controls are effective ways to keep them safe and on track. Learn how to monitor social media.

Did you know? BrightCanary monitors the apps your child uses most often, like YouTube videos and sent Instagram messages, and gives you emotional insights in one easy-to-read dashboard. 

---

Parent Pixels is a biweekly newsletter filled with practical advice, news, and resources to support you and your kids in the digital age. Want this newsletter delivered to your inbox a day early? Subscribe here.

---

Tech Talks

Learning how to put the phone down is one of the most important digital skills a teen can develop. Whether it’s recognizing when their brain needs a break, setting personal screen time limits, or choosing to be present, your teen may just need a little nudge (and a few honest conversations) to build that muscle.

1. “What are the signs your brain or body gives you when it’s time to take a break from your phone?”
2. “If you had to set a personal limit for how long you want to be on your phone each day, what would feel realistic?”
3. “What’s something you wish you had more time for?”
4. “Have you ever tried turning off notifications for a day just to see what happens?”
5. “What’s your go-to non-screen activity when you’re bored?”

What’s Catching Our Eye

🚗 Waymo, creators of self-driving cars, announced that 14- to 17-year-olds can now hail driverless rides on their own. The program is launching in Phoenix with plans to expand to more cities. No word on whether the youths will start calling this “ghost riding the Waymo.” 

😬 Once you’ve opened Pandora’s box (aka, given your child a smartphone or social media without any restrictions), how do you go back and add rules?

🤗 Do you follow us on Instagram and TikTok? Keep your eyes peeled for some big announcements in the coming weeks!