Most teens aren't worried about their social media use: Pew
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Teens are largely not worried about their technology and social media use, but at least some say they want to cut back, per newly released survey data.
Why it matters: Social media company leaders are attempting to address their platforms' negative effects on youth mental health, as health experts and policymakers call for stricter regulations.
The big picture: Most teens think the benefits of smartphones outweigh the harms for their age group, according to a Pew Research Center survey of 13- to 17-year-olds and their parents.
Yes, but: 38% of teens said they spend too much time on their smartphones.
- About 25% said they spend too much time on social media, while 39% said they should cut back on social media use.
Reality check: 63% of teens have not limited their smartphone use, and 60% have not limited social media use, per Pew's report.
The other side: Parents overwhelmingly find it imperative to manage their teens' smartphone time, with 76% of parents saying it's important or a top priority.
- But they have a hard time getting there: 38% of both parents and teens said they argue at least sometimes about excessive phone use.
The intrigue: 69% of teens said smartphones make it easier to pursue their hobbies and interests, and 65% said smartphones help them to be creative.
- 45% said the devices make it easier to do well in school.
- But 42% believe that smartphones are a hinderance to social skills.
Threat level: Last year, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned that social media poses a threat to kids' mental health.
- He called on policymakers, platforms and parents to create safe limits, while the White House released plans including an interagency task force on kids' online safety.
- In January, large tech and social media companies' CEOs were grilled during a Senate hearing on their respective platforms' efforts to protect young people.
- The hearing was focused on digital safety, including child sexual exploitation, as artificial intelligence compounds what lawmakers called an urgent issue.
Methodology: Pew's report is based on a survey of 1,453 U.S. teens and parents conducted in September and October 2023. Results have a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points.
Go deeper: Pew: Many teens use social media "almost constantly"
