(The Epoch Times)—Nearly half of American teenagers are using social media sites such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat “constantly”, amid growing concerns about the impact on youth, according to a Dec. 12 report by the Pew Research Center.
Analysts found that YouTube remains the most widely used social media platform among teenagers, with 90 percent of those surveyed reporting they watch videos on the site, down slightly from 95 percent in 2022.
This was followed by ByteDance’s video-sharing platform, TikTok, used by roughly six in ten teens, as well as Instagram and Snapchat, each used by 55 percent of teens.
Teen use of Meta-owned Facebook and the platform X had fallen steeply within the past decade, the survey found.
A total of 22 percent of teens reported using Facebook, a sharp decline from 71 percent in 2014–15. About 17 percent of teens said they use X, roughly half the share from a decade ago (33 percent) and down from 23 percent in 2022.
Overall, 73 percent of teens said they visit YouTube on a daily basis, making the video-sharing platform the most widely used and visited platform among those surveyed. Among those who use the site on a daily basis, 15 percent described their use as “almost constant.”
For TikTok, 16 percent reported constant daily use while for Snapchat, 13 percent of teens surveyed said they use it constantly.
The research center surveyed U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 between Sept. 18 and Oct. 10.
The findings come as multiple social media platforms are facing lawsuits accusing them of fostering addiction and fueling the mental health crisis among children and teenagers.
A Harvard University study showed social media platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram produce the same neural circuitry that is caused by gambling and recreational drugs.
Florida Considers Under 14 Social Media Ban
Multiple platforms including Meta have denied claims their platforms are contributing to the mental health crisis. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote in an October 2021 statement that the company cares “deeply about issues like safety, well-being, and mental health,” and had employed more people dedicated to fighting harmful content on the platforms than “any other company in our space.”
Some U.S. states have passed laws aimed at restricting access for minors without a parent’s permission.
A full under-14s ban in Florida would require children ages 14 and 15 to have parental or guardian approval to sign up for social media.
The ban is due to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025, but is being challenged in court on free speech grounds.
In California, a newly-introduced bill could see it become the first state to require mental health warning labels on social media sites informing of the potential risk to children and teens.
The legislation, sponsored by state Attorney General Rob Bonta, is already facing pushback from industry officials who have vowed to fight it under the First Amendment.
Lawmakers in Australia recently passed a bill banning children under the age of 16 from using social networks.
That legislation includes fines of up to AU$49.5 million (US$32.2 million) for companies that fail to take “reasonable steps” to prevent minors under 16 from accessing their platforms.
Children will be able to access YouTube for educational programs, according to the bill.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
At Last, a Company With Integrity in the Gold IRA Industry
For several years, I’ve been vetting out precious metals companies in search of the best. I believe in gold and silver but it’s hard to find integrity in the Gold IRA industry. The vast majority operate with shady tactics and gigantic spreads that take advantage of Americans who simply want to protect their life’s savings.
I’ve found a handful that I like and I’ve worked with some of them. By no means would I “unrecommend” them because, again, I vetted them out and found them to be above the fold. Unfortunately, it isn’t hard to be better than the rest when the rest are so darn awful.
After years of searching, I finally found a company that truly operates with integrity. Augusta Precious Metals has three important attributes that set them far above the competition:
- Non-Commissioned Sales Team: I cannot stress how important and unique this is. With just about every other company in the Gold IRA industry, the sales teams make commission from every account they open. This means they steer their clients toward the gold and silver products with the highest commission. With Augusta Precious Metals, the team is solely focused on putting the best gold and silver for their clients into their IRA. They get paid to serve the best interests of the Gold IRA client, NOT their own commission pay.
- Incredibly Low Fees: Most Americans would be shocked if they knew the spread other Gold IRA companies charge. Augusta charges just 5% versus up to 45% elsewhere.
- No Pressure, No Gimmicks: There’s an understanding among most in the Gold IRA industry that fear and pressure is the way to go. Augusta Precious Metals takes a sober approach when working with clients because they hold integrity in the highest possible regard. This is why they don’t offer gimmicks like “free” or “bonus” silver. It’s also why they do not apply pressure tactics to get quick sales. Their educational and transparent approach to doing business is exceedingly rare in the Gold IRA industry.
