Teens may not be done with Facebook just yet, says study
For the last few years, some analysts have been heralding the downfall of Facebook as the social network of choice for teens, as more and more young people migrate to newer formats like Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and so on. But a new survey by the Pew Research Center shows Facebook is still going strong at all ages, with more teens reporting that they use Facebook than any other social media service.
“Facebook remains a dominant force in teens’ social media ecosystems, even as Instagram and Snapchat have risen into a prominent role in teens’ online lives,” wrote the Pew Research Center’s Amanda Lenhart.
According to a survey of 1,000 teenagers, 71 percent of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 reported that they use Facebook. Instagram, which is also owned by Facebook, is the second-most used service at 52 percent, followed by Snapchat at 41 percent. Twitter trails behind at a mere 33 percent.
While many teens use Facebook in addition to other social networks, many also reported that they use Facebook most often. About 41 percent of all teens surveyed use Facebook the most out of any service, and Instagram is again in second place with 20 percent.
The research also showed an interesting divide between genders, with girls being more likely to use multimedia. “Teenage girls use social media sites and platforms — particularly visually oriented ones — for sharing more than their male counterparts do,” wrote Lenhart. “For their part, boys are more likely than girls to own gaming consoles and play video games.”
Game consoles have seen a rise in social media support over the last few years, with many consoles and multiplayer games supporting share functions related to in-game accomplishments. For example, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. announced earlier this year that World of Warcraft would be getting Twitter integration.
Lenhart also points out that the saturation level of smartphone use in the U.S. has reshaped the way teens communicate, and it is actually traditional text messages that teens are really shunning. “Texting is an especially important mode of communication for many teens,” wrote Lenhart. “And teens are not simply sending messages through the texting system that telephone companies offer.”
