U.S.: Teen's Daily Time on Social Media, by gender and platform
Social media platformBoys,
in h
Girls,
in h
YouTube2.11.7
TikTok1.11.9
Instagram0.71.1
Facebook0.30.4
Twitter/X0.20.3
WhatsApp0.10.2
  • Region: United States
  • Time period: Jun 26 to Jul 17, 2023
  • Published: Oct 2023

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Mar 28, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

YouTube Dominates Teen Social Media Usage

YouTube stands out as the most-used social media platform among U.S. teens, with boys spending an average of 2.1 hours daily and girls at 1.7 hours. This substantial usage underscores YouTube's appeal across genders, highlighting its dominance in the digital lives of young Americans.

Gender Differences in TikTok and Instagram Engagement

TikTok and Instagram show notable gender differences in daily usage. Girls spend significantly more time on TikTok, averaging 1.9 hours, compared to boys ' 1.1 hours. Instagram also sees higher female engagement, with girls at 1.1 hours daily versus boys ' 0.7 hours, indicating a stronger preference for visually oriented platforms among female teens.

Facebook and Twitter/X Show Modest Engagement

Facebook and Twitter/X exhibit the lowest engagement levels among U.S. teens. Facebook usage is slightly higher among girls (0.4 hours daily) than boys (0.3 hours), while Twitter/X usage is also modest, with boys and girls spending 0.2 hours and 0.3 hours respectively. These platforms, once dominant, now play a smaller role in teens' social media landscapes.

Minimal Usage of WhatsApp Indicates Platform Preference

WhatsApp demonstrates the least engagement, with boys and girls spending only 0.1 hours and 0.2 hours daily, respectively. This minimal usage suggests U.S. teens' preference for other social media platforms over messaging services for their digital interactions.

Overall Gender Trends in Social Media Usage

Analyzing the aggregate daily hours spent on these platforms reveals that girls generally spend more time on social media than boys. The difference is particularly evident on platforms like TikTok, where the gap is 0.8 hours, showcasing diverse usage patterns and preferences between genders in the digital space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which platform is the most used by U.S teens according to the hours they spend daily?

YouTube is the most used platform by U.S. teens, with boys and girls spending an average of 2.1 hours and 1.7 hours daily, respectively.

How do TikTok and Instagram usage by gender compare?

Girls spend significantly more time on TikTok (1.9 hours daily) than boys (1.1 hours), and also engage more on Instagram (1.1 hours for girls, 0.7 hours for by Gender and Platform).

What level of engagement do Facebook and Twitter/X show among U.S. teens?

Facebook and Twitter/X exhibit the lowest engagement among U.S. teens, with girls spending slightly more time on Facebook (0.4 hours daily) than boys (0.3 hours), and both sexes spending around 0.2-0.3 hours daily on Twitter/X.

Terms and Definitions

Social media refers to interactive platforms where content is created, shared, and exchanged by individuals on the web or through mobile networks. It includes platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and TikTok where users can communicate with a wide audience or community.

A teen is a term used to refer to an individual who falls within the age range of 13 to 19 years. They are also referred to as teenagers and are situated in the adolescent stage of human development.

In the context of social media, a platform refers to the type of digital service through which users connect and share with others. Popular social media platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter, each offering distinct user experiences and targeting varying demographics.

Facebook is a popular social networking site that enables users to create profiles, upload photos and videos, send messages, and keep in touch with friends, family, and colleagues. It also offers options for group discussions, event organization, and more.

Instagram is a social networking app made for sharing photos and videos from a smartphone. It's a visual platform that lets users post images and short videos, follow other users, and interact with them by liking and commenting on their posts.

Snapchat is a multimedia messaging app known for its temporary content sharing. Users can send photos and videos, known as 'Snaps,' that disappear after they're viewed, or they can post these to a 'Story' that disappears after 24 hours.

Twitter is a social media platform that enables users to send and read short 140-character messages known as 'tweets'. It is widely used for public communication, sharing news, and expressing personal opinions.
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Social media usage is dramatically increasing worldwide, with platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok leading in popularity and user engagement. Read more »