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Declining Popularity of X Among American Teens

A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center has shed light on the social media habits of American teenagers, revealing a significant decline in the use of Elon Musk’s platform, X. Only 17% of the respondents reported using the app, marking a notable drop from 23% in 2022. This downturn places X among the least popular major social media platforms among teens, trailing only behind Reddit and Threads.

The survey, which involved nearly 1,400 teenagers and was carried out between September and October, highlights a broader trend in the shifting preferences of young users. Since its acquisition by Elon Musk in 2022, X has struggled to maintain a strong foothold within this demographic.

In contrast to X’s diminishing appeal, other social media platforms showed a more stable or even increasing presence among teens. YouTube continues to reign as the most utilized app, despite seeing a slight decrease in user engagement from 95% in 2022 to 90% this year. Following closely is TikTok, whose popularity has also declined from 67% to 63% among teen users over the same period.

Snapchat remains a contender in the space, with 55% of teenagers indicating usage, down from 59% two years ago. Meanwhile, Instagram, which is also owned by Meta, has retained its popularity, used by 61% of teens, and Facebook has held steady at 32%. Reddit showed a consistent usage rate, with 14% of respondents identifying as users. Threads, a newer entry from Meta launched in 2023, has attracted 6% of the teenage audience.

Interestingly, WhatsApp emerged as the only social media app to gain traction among teenagers. The messaging platform saw an increase in usage from 17% to 23% since 2022, thereby surpassing X in terms of teenage user numbers. This rise in popularity can be attributed to WhatsApp’s widespread use for group chats, a favored feature among younger users. Furthermore, the app’s functionality for businesses to communicate directly with customers has bolstered Meta’s earnings, showing a 48% increase in non-advertising revenue linked to WhatsApp during a recent earnings call.

In summary, while X’s user base among American teens continues to shrink, other platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and particularly WhatsApp are solidifying their positions. The changing landscape highlights the dynamic nature of social media engagement among the youth and raises questions about the future trajectory of platforms like X.

Source
www.businessinsider.com