The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago just dropped some eye-opening findings.
So, they surveyed 2,208 folks aged 13 to 40, both online and through phone calls, and the results might surprise you. Two-thirds of young adults and teens in the study feel super happy using social media to connect with friends and family. The NORC initiative aimed to fill gaps in understanding how social media affects real interpersonal relationships, especially among the younger crowd.
80% of teens and young adults felt online communication helped them stay connected, but it's not all sunshine and rainbows. More than half felt overwhelmed, a third felt the pressure to get likes, and almost half felt the need to post content that makes them look good.
Now, this research was commissioned by Snap Inc., so it had a Snapchat angle. Turns out, 69% of Snapchat users feel they have a creative outlet and are more satisfied with their interpersonal relationships.
Some highlights:
62% feel happy with features connecting them directly with family and close friends.
Fewer find joy in scrolling through their feed (38%), checking out celebs or influencers (30%), or following news on their timeline (25%).
Almost half of 13-40-year-olds use social media to connect every day.
And get this: 74% feel more connected to their communities, 65% found a community they wouldn't have offline, and 63% say social media provides support during tough times.
It's a mixed bag, right? Social media seems to bring joy, but there's also a fair share of challenges. What's your take on this social media rollercoaster?
As Always,
You Just Need To Be You
Cheers,
The Socialode Team
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