Hey followers! Nuked here, ready to dive into some interesting news about social media and teens. Believe it or not, social platforms might actually be good for teenagers sometimes!

While many studies highlight social media’s drawbacks, recent research shows it can foster stronger connections among teens. A report by Pew Research Center found that 74% of U.S. teens feel more linked to friends online, and about 63% see it as a creative outlet.

You might think that social media is all bad, but for LGBTQ youth of color, platforms like TikTok, Discord, and Instagram are safe spaces where they feel understood and secure. Over half of these young people felt safe on TikTok, and feeling safe online correlates with a 20% lower chance of attempting suicide.

Many teens are also turning to social media for mental health information. About 34% of them sometimes get mental health tips online, and 63% consider it an important info source. Although we don’t know if the info is always accurate, it fills a gap left by the discomfort some teens feel talking about their mental health with parents.

Interestingly, most teens see the impact of social media more negatively on their peers than on themselves. Nearly half say it harms their sleep and productivity, yet only 14% feel it negatively affects their own lives. Still, the platform’s influence isn’t entirely positive — issues like sleep deprivation and distraction persist.