36% of Teens 'Almost Constantly' on Social Media
Data highlighted in relation to the Meta social addiction trial precedent shows that 36% of teenagers are "almost constantly" on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. The Indian Express reports this statistic, underscoring the intense engagement and potential for addiction among young users.
- The 36% figure originates from a 2023 Pew Research Center survey of U.S. teens aged 13 to 17. This survey found that while 93% of teens use YouTube, making it the most popular platform, TikTok and Snapchat are used more consistently throughout the day. - Usage patterns differ by gender, with teen girls being more likely than teen boys to report "almost constantly" using TikTok (22% vs. 12%) and Snapchat (17% vs. 12%). Hispanic teens are notably high users of TikTok, with 32% saying they are on the platform almost constantly. - While teen usage of platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram remains high, Facebook has seen a significant decline in popularity among this demographic. The share of teens who use Facebook dropped from 71% in 2014-2015 to 33% in 2023. - The "Meta social addiction trial" involves numerous lawsuits consolidated against Meta (parent company of Instagram and Facebook) and Google (parent company of YouTube). These lawsuits allege that the platforms are intentionally designed to be addictive and harmful to the mental health of minors. - A key bellwether trial began in a California state court, with the plaintiff alleging that her use of Instagram and YouTube from a young age led to severe mental health issues. This is considered a crucial case that could influence the outcomes of thousands of similar personal injury claims. - In February 2026, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in the trial, where he was questioned about the company's policies regarding users under the age of 13 and the platform's design features, such as recommendation algorithms and infinite scrolling. - While Meta and Google are proceeding with the trial, two other major platforms popular with teens, TikTok and Snap, have already reached settlement deals in the social media addiction lawsuits. - Beyond the personal injury lawsuits, a separate legal action is being pursued by school districts and dozens of states in federal court, indicating a broad and multi-faceted legal challenge to the social media giants.
