How Teens Use Social Media and What the Data Shows
In 2025, roughly 95 percent of U.S. teens report using at least one social media platform, with TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube ranking at the top by daily active users among 13 to 17 year olds, according to Pew Research Center data on teen internet use Pew Research Center. Teens spend an average of 3 to 4 hours per day on social media, with some groups exceeding 5 hours, which is linked to higher rates of sleep disruption, anxiety symptoms, and reduced focus in school Forbes Health Council.
Usage patterns vary by platform, with short-form video apps driving the most daily engagement, while messaging apps like Snapchat and WhatsApp remain primary channels for peer communication. Platform ownership among teens is concentrated, with a small share of apps accounting for the majority of time spent online, and algorithmic feeds are designed to maximize watch time rather than well-being Forbes Business Council.
Privacy and Safety Settings Teens Should Use Now
Account Privacy Controls
Most major platforms offer private account options that limit who can view posts, send messages, and tag users, and teens should set their profiles to private by default and review follower lists regularly Facebook Help Center. On TikTok, users can restrict comments, duets, stitches, and direct messages to friends only, and can turn off the "Suggest your account to others" toggle in privacy settings TikTok Privacy Policy.
Data Collection and Ad Personalization
Platforms collect behavioral data such as watch time, search queries, and interaction patterns to serve targeted ads, and teens can limit ad personalization in account settings on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Google Account Settings. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission enforces the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which requires parental consent for data collection from users under 13, but many teens access platforms with accounts that do not fully reflect this protection FTC COPPA Page.
Screen Time Limits and Healthy Habits for Teens
Using Built-In Tools to Manage Time
iOS Screen Time and Android Digital Wellbeing allow teens and parents to set daily app limits, schedule downtime, and view usage breakdowns by app, and these tools can be configured to block social media during school hours or bedtime Apple Support. TikTok and Instagram both offer in-app daily reminder features and time-limit tools that notify users when they reach a set duration, and teens can use these to build self-regulation habits