Ages 11 and 12 represent a pivotal transition from childhood to adolescence — a time traditionally marked by first crushes, growing independence, and deepening friendships. But according to new research, this age group is also marked by something more troubling: widespread social media addiction. The study of over 10,000 American youth reveals that most pre-teens are active on platforms they’re technically too young to use.
As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments against Congress’ TikTok ban, the research pulls back the curtain on what many parents have long suspected: nearly 64% of pre-teens have at least one social media account, flouting minimum age requirements and raising concerns about online safety and mental health impacts.
Drawing from a diverse sample of adolescents aged 11 to 15, researchers found that TikTok reigns supreme among young users, with 67% of social media-using teens maintaining an account on the short-form video platform. YouTube and Instagram followed closely behind at around 65% and 66% respectively.
“Policymakers need to look at TikTok as a systemic social media issue and create effective measures that protect children online,” said Dr. Jason Nagata, a pediatrician at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals and the lead author of the study, in a statement. “TikTok is the most popular social media platform for children, yet kids reported having more than three different social media accounts, including Instagram and Snapchat.”
Notable gender differences emerged in platform preferences. Female adolescents gravitated toward TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Pinterest, while their male counterparts showed stronger affinity for YouTube and Reddit. This digital divide hints at how social media may be shaping different aspects of adolescent development and socialization between genders.
Among the study’s more concerning findings was that 6.3% of young social media users admitted to maintaining “secret” accounts hidden from parental oversight. These covert profiles, sometimes dubbed “Finstas” (fake Instagram accounts), represent a digital double life that could put vulnerable youth at risk while hampering parents’ ability to protect their children online.
Signs of problematic use and potential addiction emerged as significant concerns. Twenty-five percent of children with social media accounts reported often thinking about social media apps, and another 25% said they use the apps to forget about their problems. Moreover, 17% of users tried to reduce their social media use but couldn’t, while 11% reported that excessive use had negatively impacted their schoolwork.
“Our study revealed a quarter of children reported elements of addiction while using social media, with some as young as eleven years old,” Nagata explained. “The research shows underage social media use is linked with greater symptoms of depression, eating disorders, ADHD, and disruptive behaviors. When talking about social media usage and policies, we need to prioritize the health and safety of our children.”
Recent legislative efforts, including the federal Protecting Kids on Social Media Act and various state-level initiatives, aim to strengthen safeguards around youth social media use. The U.S. Surgeon General has called for more robust age verification systems and warning labels on social media platforms, highlighting the growing recognition of this issue as a public health concern.
To address these challenges, medical professionals recommend structured approaches to managing screen time. The American Academy of Pediatrics has developed the Family Media Plan, providing families with tools to schedule both online and offline activities effectively.
“Every parent and family should have a family media plan to ensure children and adults stay safe online and develop a healthy relationship with screens and social media,” said Nagata, who practices this approach with his own children. “Parents can create strong relationships with their children by starting open conversations and modeling good behaviors.”
As social media continues evolving at breakneck speed, this research, published in Academic Pediatrics, provides a crucial snapshot of how the youngest generation navigates the digital landscape. The timing proves particularly relevant as the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments about Congress’ TikTok ban, set to take effect January 19th. While the case primarily centers on national security concerns, the study’s findings suggest that children’s welfare should be an equally important consideration in platform regulation.
Source : https://studyfinds.org/most-pre-teens-already-deep-in-social-media/