Teens & Tech

Teens are spending their time differently than they did a decade ago, but gender differences remain in time spent on leisure, grooming, homework, housework and errands.

Close to half of U.S. teens say they are on the internet “almost constantly." Yet highly plugged-in youth in America are just as likely as their less-connected peers to socialize regularly with their friends in person.

Teens credit social media for helping to build stronger friendships and exposing them to a more diverse world, but they express concern that these sites lead to drama and social pressure.

Some 15% of U.S. households with school-age children do not have a high-speed internet connection at home. Some teens are more likely to face digital hurdles when trying to complete their homework.

Roughly six-in-ten U.S. teens have been bullied or harassed online. Senior Researcher Monica Anderson discusses the methods and meaning behind the data. 

59% of U.S. teens have been bullied or harassed online, and a similar share says it's a major problem for people their age. At the same time, teens mostly think teachers, social media companies and politicians are failing at addressing this issue.

Overall, 43% of U.S. adults say they often or sometimes play video games. Gaming is popular among teens – especially teenage boys.

Roughly half of U.S. teens say they spend too much time on their cellphones, and two-thirds of parents express concern over their teen’s screen time. But parents face their own challenges of device-related distraction.

YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat are the most popular online platforms among teens. Fully 95% of teens have access to a smartphone and 45% say they are online almost constantly.

The U.S. has more foreign students enrolled in its colleges and universities than any other country in the world. Explore data about foreign students in the U.S. higher education system.