**Nearly Half of U.S. Teens Are Online Almost Constantly, Pew Research Finds**

The effect of social media on the mental health of teenagers continues to be an important issue, and recent data from the Pew Research Center indicates that almost half of American teens are “almost constantly” connected.

As per Pew’s newest study, *Teens, Social Media, and Technology 2024*, published on Thursday, 46 percent of teens aged 13 to 17 state that they are online nearly all the time. This statistic has remained stable compared to information from 2022 and 2023 but represents a notable increase of 24 percent over the past decade. Furthermore, a staggering 96 percent of teens indicate that they go online every day, closely aligning with the 95 percent who have access to a smartphone.

The report originates from a web survey carried out from September to October 2024, involving 1,391 U.S. teens and one parent for each participant. The study also provides insights into the social media platforms most frequented by teens and their usage frequency. Among the results:

– **TikTok**: 16 percent of teens claim they are “almost constantly” engaged on this platform.
– **YouTube**: 15 percent report usage that is nearly constant.
– **Snapchat**: 13 percent are on this app almost all the time.
– **Instagram**: 12 percent share the same sentiment.
– **Facebook**: Only 3 percent indicate they are on Facebook nearly constantly.

In addition to frequent usage, a significant number of teens access these platforms daily. YouTube ranks as the most popular, with 73 percent of teens using it at least once each day. TikTok comes next, with 57 percent of teens logging in daily, while about half of teens report daily use of Instagram and Snapchat. Despite its lower popularity, Facebook still has 20 percent of teens visiting it at least once a day.

The study further reveals differences in platform preferences based on gender. Teenage girls tend to favor Instagram and TikTok, whereas boys show a stronger preference for YouTube. Other platforms like X (previously Twitter), Reddit, and Threads have lower engagement, with 17 percent, 14 percent, and 6 percent of teens, respectively, indicating they use these sites.

This research emerges during a period of heightened scrutiny regarding the effect of social media on teenage mental health. In October, the CDC confirmed a correlation between social media use and mental health issues among teens. Additionally, countries like Australia have implemented strict measures, including the prohibition of social media for users under 16, in response to these worries.

As teens persist in dedicating considerable time online, the dialogue surrounding the balance between technology usage and mental wellness remains essential.