According to a recent report by TechCrunch, social media can sometimes have a positive impact on teenagers.
A study by the Pew Research Center revealed that 74% of American teens feel more connected to their friends through social media, while 63% view these platforms as creative outlets.
The research also found that 34% of teens turn to social media for mental health information, and 63% consider it a crucial resource for finding information.
In a separate study by The Trevor Project, 53% of young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people of color reported feeling safe and understood on TikTok, with Discord (43%) and Instagram (41%) following closely behind. Interestingly, respondents who felt secure in online spaces were 20% less likely to have attempted suicide in the previous year.
However, it’s not all roses in the world of social media. The survey highlighted some downsides, with 45% reporting negative effects on sleep and 40% on productivity.