Written by: Lisa Konick, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
February 21, 2025
Social media is deeply embedded in the lives of today’s teens, influencing their social interactions, self-image, and even mental health. It serves as a space for self-expression, entertainment, and connection, allowing young people to interact with peers, discover new interests, and engage with global conversations. For many teens, social media is not just a pastime—it is a central part of their identity formation and social development. However, the fast-paced and highly curated nature of these platforms can also contribute to issues like cyberbullying, anxiety, and unrealistic comparisons.
As digital landscapes continue to evolve, it is essential for parents and educators to stay informed about the platforms teens frequent, the appeal of these spaces, and the potential risks they pose. While social media offers opportunities for creativity, learning, and advocacy, it also requires careful navigation to avoid exposure to harmful content, privacy concerns, and addictive behaviors.
This guide provides a comprehensive look at the most popular social media platforms among teens, explaining how they work, their benefits and drawbacks, and key safety measures that can help young users build a positive and secure online experience. By fostering awareness and open conversations, adults can help teens engage with social media in a way that enhances their well-being rather than detracts from it.
1. YouTube: The Digital Learning and Entertainment Hub
Description:
YouTube is the world’s largest video-sharing platform, offering content ranging from educational tutorials and DIY projects to entertainment, music, gaming, and social commentary. Users can watch videos, create content, and interact through comments and live chats. Many teens turn to YouTube for learning new skills, entertainment, and staying informed on current trends.
Teen Usage: 95% of teens ages 13–17 use YouTube, and 77% visit it daily (Pew Research, 2022).
Pros:
✅ Access to educational and skill-building content (e.g., science experiments, history lessons, coding tutorials).
✅ Encourages creativity and self-expression through content creation.
✅ Can provide a sense of community through shared interests.
Cons:
⚠️ Exposure to inappropriate content, even with restricted settings.
⚠️ Unregulated comments sections can expose teens to cyberbullying.
⚠️ Highly addictive algorithm designed to keep users watching for hours.
Safety Tips for Parents & Educators:
🔹 Enable Restricted Mode to filter out explicit content.
🔹 Use YouTube Kids for younger users, as it offers curated, child-friendly content.
🔹 Monitor screen time limits to prevent excessive use.
🔹 Discuss the importance of critical thinking when consuming content (avoiding misinformation, harmful ideologies).
2. Instagram: The Visual Storytelling Platform
Description:
Instagram is a photo- and video-sharing social media app that allows users to post images, short videos (Reels), and Stories that disappear after 24 hours. The platform is highly visual and algorithm-driven, making it one of the top places for social influence, trends, and brand engagement.
Teen Usage: 62% of teens use Instagram, with 50% using it daily (Pew Research, 2022).
Pros:
✅ Provides a creative outlet through photography, digital art, and video editing.
✅ Helps teens stay connected with friends, family, and communities of interest.
✅ Allows networking and learning from professionals in various industries.
Cons:
⚠️ Can contribute to poor self-image and body dissatisfaction due to edited, curated content.
⚠️ Encourages comparison culture, which may lead to anxiety and low self-esteem.
⚠️ Risk of predatory behavior and exposure to inappropriate content through direct messages (DMs) and public accounts.
Safety Tips for Parents & Educators:
🔹 Set accounts to private to control who can follow and interact with your teen.
🔹 Use Instagram’s parental supervision tools to monitor activity.
🔹 Talk about the harm of comparing oneself to edited or unrealistic portrayals.
🔹 Limit exposure to influencers promoting unrealistic beauty standards or harmful trends.
3. TikTok: The Hub of Viral Trends and Challenges
Description:
TikTok is a short-video platform where users create and watch engaging, fast-paced content ranging from dance challenges and memes to educational snippets and activism. The app’s highly personalized algorithm keeps users engaged by continuously curating content based on their interests.
Teen Usage: 67% of teens use TikTok, with 58% using it daily (Pew Research, 2022).
Pros:
✅ Encourages creativity and self-expression through music, editing, and storytelling.
✅ Can be a valuable educational tool, offering quick learning content on various topics.
✅ Provides a sense of community through niche interests and supportive groups.
Cons:
⚠️ Addictive design encourages endless scrolling, leading to hours of screen time.
⚠️ Risky viral challenges may promote harmful behaviors.
⚠️ Exposure to inappropriate or misleading content, including misinformation.
Safety Tips for Parents & Educators:
🔹 Enable Family Pairing Mode to manage privacy settings and screen time.
🔹 Set the account to private and limit direct messaging from strangers.
🔹 Educate teens about the dangers of participating in viral challenges.
🔹 Encourage mindful scrolling to prevent excessive screen time.
4. Snapchat: Private Conversations and Ephemeral Content
Description:
Snapchat allows users to send photos and videos that disappear after being viewed. The app also includes Stories, Bitmojis, and Snap Maps, which allow real-time location sharing. While it’s a fun way to communicate, the ephemeral (short-lived) nature of messages can lead to risky behavior.
Teen Usage: 59% of teens use Snapchat, with 51% using it daily (Pew Research, 2022).
Pros:
✅ Fosters real-time, casual communication with close friends.
✅ Uses fun filters and augmented reality (AR) features for creative expression.
✅ Temporary messaging can reduce social pressure to maintain a permanent online presence.
Cons:
⚠️ False sense of privacy—screenshots and third-party apps can still save messages.
⚠️ Exposure to sexting, cyberbullying, and inappropriate content.
⚠️ Snap Map can reveal real-time locations, leading to potential privacy risks.
Safety Tips for Parents & Educators:
🔹 Enable Ghost Mode to prevent location sharing on Snap Map.
🔹 Discuss the risks of sending private or inappropriate photos, even in disappearing messages.
🔹 Regularly check Snapchat’s privacy settings to ensure safe communication.
5. Other Popular Platforms
Discord: Community-Based Chat Platform
🔹 Used for gaming, hobbies, and educational communities.
🔹 Can expose teens to unmoderated conversations and inappropriate content in public servers.
🔹 Enable parental controls and encourage use of private servers with known friends.
Reddit: Forum-Based Discussion Platform
🔹 Allows deep discussions on diverse topics.
🔹 Some subreddits contain explicit content, misinformation, or mature discussions.
🔹 Monitor which communities your teen follows and discuss critical thinking skills.
Twitch: Live-Streaming Platform for Gamers
🔹 Popular for watching live gaming, esports, and creative content.
🔹 Some streams have mature themes, unfiltered chatrooms, and online interactions.
🔹 Use Twitch’s parental controls to filter content and limit chat interactions.
Pinterest: Visual Inspiration and Idea-Sharing
🔹 Great for DIY projects, fashion, lifestyle, and educational content.
🔹 Some diet culture, beauty standards, and misinformation may be promoted.
🔹 Encourage a critical approach to content and healthy self-image discussions.
How Parents and Educators Can Help
Guiding teens through the world of social media requires a balance of supervision, open communication, and education. Rather than simply restricting access, parents and educators can empower young users to make responsible choices by teaching digital literacy, promoting healthy boundaries, and fostering critical thinking about online interactions. By staying informed and engaged, adults can help teens navigate social media in a way that supports their mental health and overall well-being.
✅ Stay Informed – Familiarize yourself with the platforms your teen uses.
✅ Set Boundaries – Establish healthy screen time habits and digital wellness routines.
✅ Foster Open Conversations – Encourage teens to talk about their online experiences.
✅ Teach Digital Literacy – Help teens analyze online content and interactions critically.
By understanding the platforms shaping teen social experiences, parents and educators can guide them in making safer, healthier digital choices.
📌 Stay tuned for the next part of our series, where we explore the Rewards and Risks of Social Media on Youth!