Teens and Their Screens: A Daily Routine

Teens in the U. S. are glued to their screens, with YouTube and TikTok being the top choices for daily entertainment. A recent survey of over 1, 400 teens aged 13 to 17 reveals that these platforms are deeply embedded in their lives. YouTube leads the pack, with three-quarters of teens using it every day. TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat are also popular, while Facebook is lagging behind. The survey highlights some interesting trends. Black and Hispanic teens are more likely to be constantly on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram compared to their white peers. Girls tend to use Snapchat and Instagram more frequently, while boys prefer YouTube and Reddit. Artificial intelligence chatbots are also gaining traction among teens. About 64% have used a chatbot, and nearly 28% use them daily. ChatGPT is the most popular, followed by Google’s Gemini and Meta AI. Some teens even use character-based chatbots like Character. ai several times a day.Experts are concerned about the constant screen time. While occasional use is harmless, being always plugged in can lead to missed opportunities for real-world interactions and activities. Constant screen use can disrupt sleep, exercise, and face-to-face friendships. Chatbots, while useful, don’t help teens develop essential social skills. Research shows that kids who get a smartphone by age 12 are more likely to face issues like depression, obesity, and poor sleep. Lawmakers are taking notice, with several U. S. states limiting phone use during school hours and Australia banning social media for kids under 16. Parents play a crucial role in managing screen time. Setting boundaries, like having a bedtime for devices, can make a big difference. Experts emphasize that unsupervised screen use, especially at night, can lead to negative outcomes.