Teens are becoming more worried about the effects of social media

Engadget - Apr 22nd, 2025

A recent Pew Research report reveals a significant shift in teens' perceptions of social media, highlighting a growing concern about its impact on mental health and time consumption. The survey, which included 1,391 teens and parents in the US, found that 48% of teens now view social media as a 'mostly negative' influence, a marked increase from the previous year. Concurrently, the percentage of teens who view social media positively has dropped to 11%. Despite this, only 14% of teens feel that social media negatively affects them personally. These findings come amidst heightened calls from lawmakers and regulators for social media companies to enhance protections for young users.

Pew's report also points to an increasing awareness among teens regarding their social media usage, with 45% acknowledging that they spend excessive time on these platforms, which adversely affects their sleep and productivity. This growing self-awareness is reflected in the fact that 44% of teens have reduced their smartphone and social media use. Although the debate over social media's role in young people's lives remains unresolved, the report underscores a significant shift in teen perspectives, aligning with a broader societal discourse on digital well-being.

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RATING

8.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-researched and accurate account of teens' changing perceptions of social media, supported by credible data from the Pew Research Center. It effectively highlights the growing concern over social media's impact on youth mental health, making it both timely and relevant to public interest. The piece is clear and engaging, though it could benefit from including a wider range of perspectives, such as input from social media companies or mental health experts, to enhance balance and engagement. Overall, the article serves as a valuable contribution to ongoing discussions about social media regulation and youth protection.

Accuracy

The news story is largely accurate, with its main claims supported by data from the Pew Research Center. The article accurately reports that 48% of teens view social media as a 'mostly negative' influence, and only 14% feel it negatively affects them personally. These statistics align with the Pew findings. Additionally, the story correctly notes the increase in teens who believe they spend too much time on social media, rising from 27% to 45%. However, the story's mention of lawmakers and regulators calling for more protections is based on broader context rather than specific data from the Pew report, which could use additional verification from legislative sources.

Balance

The article presents a balanced view by including both the negative and positive perceptions of social media among teens. It highlights the growing concern about social media's negative impact while also noting that teens are less likely to report personal harm. However, the piece could benefit from including perspectives from social media companies or experts to provide a more rounded discussion of the issue. The absence of these viewpoints may lead to a slight imbalance, focusing primarily on the negative aspects as perceived by teens.

Clarity

The article is well-written, with clear language and a logical structure that makes it easy to follow. It effectively communicates the main findings of the Pew report and contextualizes them within broader societal concerns about social media and mental health. The tone is neutral, focusing on the data without overt bias, which aids in reader comprehension. However, a brief explanation of the survey's methodology could further enhance clarity.

Source quality

The article relies heavily on data from the Pew Research Center, a reputable and reliable source known for its detailed surveys and reports. The use of a single source limits the diversity of perspectives, but Pew's credibility lends significant weight to the findings presented. To enhance source quality, the article could incorporate additional expert opinions or studies to corroborate the Pew data and provide a broader context.

Transparency

The article is transparent about its primary data source, explicitly mentioning the Pew Research Center and the survey of 1,391 teens and parents. However, it lacks detail on the survey's methodology, such as how the data was collected and any potential biases. Greater transparency about these aspects would strengthen the article's credibility and help readers understand the basis for the claims made.