9 Popular Social Media Apps for Teens in 2024
In 2024, keeping up with the social media apps teens love can be tough for parents and teachers. Each app offers fun new ways for teens to connect and share. Still, there are also worries about safety, bullying, and how being online a lot affects their feelings about themselves.
Adults must understand these popular apps to help teens navigate their online world safely and happily. With this in mind, let's look at the top nine popular social media apps for teens this year, exploring what makes them appealing and what considerations we should consider.
YouTube
YouTube is the most common and widely used social media platform among teens, with approximately 93% of U.S. teens with the age of 13 to 17 using it. It's a video-sharing platform where teens can upload, share, and view videos.
YouTube is free to use on iOS, Android, and web browsers. However, it offers a subscription for an ad-free experience and access to additional content. Its appeal to teens lies in the vast range of content it hosts, from music videos and tutorials to vlogs and educational material, making it a central hub for entertainment and learning.
Cost
Free with ads; offers YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience, background play, and access to YouTube Music for $11.99/month.
Risk of Using it
Exposure to inappropriate content, privacy concerns, potential for cyberbullying.
User Review for YouTube
Parents have raised concerns about explicit content on YouTube and criticized YouTube for not adequately filtering out harmful content. They emphasized the importance of co-viewing with children and restricting children to YouTube Kids and specific, vetted channels to ensure age-appropriate viewing.
TikTok
TikTok, with 63% of teens reporting usage, has become a cultural phenomenon among younger audiences. This platform specializes in short-form video content, where teens can create and share videos ranging from 15 seconds to three minutes long.
TikTok is known for its highly personalized content feed, which uses an algorithm to recommend videos based on user interactions. Teens are drawn to TikTok for its entertainment value, ease of content creation, and social interaction through video sharing and comments.
Cost
It is available for free on iOS and Android and allows for in-app purchases.
Risk of Using it
Privacy concerns, potential for exposure to inappropriate content, addictive nature.
User Review for TikTok
User reviews on range from high praise for its entertainment value to frustrations with algorithm biases and the negative impact on mental health. Some appreciate TikTok as a superior streaming alternative, while others are annoyed by excessive live sales and technical issues. Concerns also include censorship and the platform's approach to community guidelines. Despite these issues, many find TikTok to be a valuable source of creativity and learning.
Users express concerns about TikTok, highlighting exposure to inappropriate content and its potential impact on mental health, especially for kids. They suggest the app is not suitable for those under 17, citing privacy worries and the influence of toxic content.
Snapchat
Snapchat is used by 60% of teens and is particularly notable for its ephemeral messaging feature, where photos and messages disappear after being viewed.
Snapchat appeals to teens through features like Stories, filters, and Snap Map, encouraging spontaneous and creative communication among friends.
The platform's focus on privacy and temporary content offers a unique way for teens to share moments without the pressure of leaving a permanent digital footprint.
Cost
It's a free app available on iOS and Android that also offers in-app purchases.
Risk of Using it
Potential for sexting and sharing inappropriate content due to the ephemeral nature of messages privacy concerns.
User Review for Snapchat
Parents also share their experiences with Snapchat for their kids, highlighting the importance of trust and monitoring. One parent was initially hesitant but, after personal review and consulting with a teacher, allowed her 12-year-old daughter to use Snapchat, finding it to be a positive influence on her social life.
Another parent emphasized trust as crucial, allowing their 14-year-old son to use Snapchat responsibly after much deliberation. Both parents noted the importance of setting privacy settings and periodically checking their children's activity on the app.
Instagram
Instagram is used by 59% of teens, serving as an app for photo and video sharing. Instagram's features, including the feed, Stories, Reels, and direct messaging, cater to a wide range of content sharing and social interaction.
Teens are drawn to Instagram for its visual-centric approach, the ability to follow and interact with friends and influencers, and the vast array of content, from memes and fashion to art and travel.
Cost
It's accessible on iOS, Android, and web browsers and is free to use with options for in-app purchases.
Risk of Using it
Privacy concerns exposure to inappropriate content can contribute to body image issues and FOMO (fear of missing out).
User Review for Instagram
Parents' concerns about Instagram's impact on reality perception and mental health are prevalent, with parents cautioning against the influence of "influencers" and the portrayal of seemingly perfect lives. It's suggested to maintain private accounts and parental oversight until the child is older.
Facebook
Facebook's usage among teens stands at 33%, indicating a decline in its popularity with this demographic over the years. As a social networking site, it allows teens to create profiles, share photos, videos, and links, join groups, and engage in various forms of social interaction.
Despite its decreased popularity among teens, it remains a platform for staying connected with family and broader social circles, with features that facilitate event planning, marketplace transactions, and news sharing.
Cost
Facebook is available on iOS, Android, and web browsers for free, though it also provides in-app purchases.
Risk of Using it
Privacy concerns, exposure to fake news and inappropriate content, potential for cyberbullying.
User Review for Facebook
Parents worry about Facebook's safety because of scams and trouble blocking bad content. Some like it for family chats, but others lose money to fake profiles. People like some things about Facebook but want better safety measures.
Twitter (X)
Twitter, now rebranded as X, has remained a significant social media platform despite changes in branding and ownership. With its focus on short, impactful messages and a global user base, X offers a unique space for real-time news, entertainment, and personal expression.
In 2023, about 23% of teenagers reported using the platform, indicating its popularity among younger audiences for staying connected with current events and cultural discussions. The platform has experienced shifts in user demographics and preferences. Still, it continues to attract users with its distinctive approach to social media interaction.
Cost
It is available for Web, iOS, and Android and is free to use.
Risk of Using it
Exposure to harassment and cyberbullying, as well as the spread of misinformation.
User Review for Twitter (X)
Parents warn against allowing children on Twitter, criticizing it as a breeding ground for predators and bullies. It has many content that is inappropriate for children.
Discord
Discord has grown from a gaming-centric voice and text chat app to a broad platform that supports various communities with shared interests, including hobbies, educational topics, and more.
It offers features such as servers, private messaging, and voice channels, making it popular among teens who seek a more organized and focused way to communicate and collaborate. Notably, Discord is more popular among teen boys than teen girls, with usage rates of 34% and 22%, respectively. This difference highlights the platform's strong roots in the gaming community, which traditionally has seen higher engagement from male users.
Discord's appeal lies in its customization options and privacy settings, which give teens a sense of ownership and control over their social interactions.
Cost
Compatible with Web, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux and is free to use; offers Nitro subscription for extra features at $9.99/month.
Risk of Using it
Exposure to inappropriate content in public servers, potential for cyberbullying.
User Review for Discord
Some parents think Discord is unsafe for unsupervised and uninformed kids; others suggest implementing strict rules, using moderation bots, and actively monitoring the child's activity to ensure safety. Despite concerns, many believe that with proper guidance and oversight, Discord can be a secure place for kids to interact with friends and classmates.
Roblox
Roblox is not just a game but a platform where teens can create, share, and play games made by others, effectively serving as a massive online universe driven by user-generated content.
It is especially popular among younger audiences, with 60% of its users being under the age of 16. This highlights its appeal to children and early teens because of its vast array of interactive experiences and the ability to design and build games.
Roblox's educational potential, social features, and emphasis on creativity and entrepreneurship resonate with teens, making it more than just a gaming platform but a venue for learning and imaginative play.
Cost
Free to play on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Xbox devices; offers in-game purchases.
Risk of Using it
Potential for exposure to inappropriate user-generated content, privacy concerns, and in-game purchases leading to unexpected expenses.
User Review for Roblox
Parents caution about Roblox due to adult themes, sexting, and exposure to alcohol and uncensored foul language, even in games that appear innocent. There are reports of children engaging in virtual sexual activities and encountering inappropriate ads.
Tumblr
Tumblr's usage among teens stands at approximately 5%, reflecting its niche position within the social media landscape. As a microblogging and social networking site, Tumblr allows teens to post a wide range of content, including text, images, videos, and links. It has carved out a unique space for itself, particularly among creative and expressive communities.
Teens are drawn to Tumblr for its flexibility in content creation and the ability to explore and express diverse interests and identities within a like-minded community. Despite its lower usage rate than other platforms, Tumblr remains a vital outlet for artistic expression and fandom engagement among its teen user base.
Cost
Free to use on Web, iOS, and Android devices.
Risk of Using it
Exposure to inappropriate content and the presence of NSFW material despite platform restrictions.
User Review for Tumblr
Users think that privacy is a strong point for Tumblr compared to other social networks. It has seen a decline in toxicity since banning explicit content. Despite these improvements, concerns persist that young teens are still being exposed to harmful communities on Tumblr, with reports of it negatively impacting their mental health.
- AirDroid Parental Control
- Filter inappropriate content and block website
- Monitor online activity by mirroring kids' phones
- Find your loved ones in real-time and set geofencing
- See, hear, and record kids' mobile surroundings remotely
- Limit and control your kid's screen time and app usage
Final Thoughts
Social media apps for teens in 2024 are a big part of their daily lives, helping them connect, share, and learn in new ways. As these apps change, it’s important for everyone involved—like parents, teachers, and the teens themselves—to keep up and make sure these changes are good for them. Social media will keep being important for teens, and it's up to us to help make this a positive experience for them.
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