Pew Research on "Teens, Social Media and Technology 2023"

what the research reveals and questions we should ask ourselves

“Despite negative headlines and growing concerns about social media’s impact on youth, teens continue to use these platforms at high rates – with some describing their social media use as “almost constant,” according to a new Pew Research Center survey of U.S. teens.”

There is a very real tension in our usage and experience with technology, specifically social media and the internet. On the one hand, we use technology every day - it’s an almost necessity in getting from one place to another, communicating with co-workers, friends, family members. Computers, smart devices and the like, are going nowhere anytime soon (barring any catastrophic events).

The Pew Research Center revealed some data about how teens use technology, with YouTube being highest on the list, and TikTok topping the charts as well, where teens are using these mediums “almost constantly.”

How, then, do we navigate this online world filled with tension? There is good here, certainly, but not all is good. The constant use of YouTube and TikTok… We want to connect, and laugh, and experience parts of the world we may never physically be able to visit. But at what cost? We don’t always stop in the moment to think about the longer-term impact of something we’re doing right now. With smart devices, the internet, and social media, we need to do just that. Why? Because it appears that kids are “almost constantly” on their devices - and what we spend the most time with forms and disciples us in deep ways.

What was once simply correlated has not been proven to be causal - social media has negative mental health effects on teenagers. Social Psychologist Jon Haidt wrote about this in his book called The Anxious Generation and continues to write on his substack After Babel. Jean Twenge wrote about this, too, in her ground-breaking research in the book iGen.

And yet.

Even though we may hear or understand some of these things, we’re left in the middle of the tension. We often desire social media to stay in touch, up to date, connected with others. And our kids want it too, with similar motivations. Part of parenting and discipleship is walking in the tension with grace, understanding, and a willingness to keep learning and growing but also a discernment on where to stand firm.

How much is too much? How much is not enough? As the research shows, they’re going to want to active users. But, is that a good thing?

Even the Surgeon General has suggested putting a warning label on social media sites, much like what was mandated to be put on cigarette packs.

The U.S. surgeon general has called on Congress to require warning labels on social media platforms and their effects on young people's lives, similar to those now mandatory on cigarette boxes.

So, where does that leave us? Where should we go with social media? Should we limit our time? Should we keep our kids off of it until a certain age? These are valid questions. We want to teach our kids to be good stewards. We don’t want to run away from the world or the things in it, but be wise to the things that are going on.

Here is a link to a resource that was designed to help us think through digital wisdom as a parent. My hope and prayer is this will be a benefit to you as you walk through this digital world yourself and alongside your kids.