Are teens leaving Facebook? Are teens on Facebook?
The stories of the exodus have floated around for months, maybe even years. Yet, what does the data say?
A significant study published by Insites Consulting in the fall of 2013 noted that the average millennial uses 2.5 social networks, with Facebook (66 percent), Twitter (29 percent) and Google+ (28 percent) the most popular.
A Pew Research Center study in first quarter 2014 noted that “73% of all those ages 12-17” are on Facebook.
Facebook’s 2013 Q3 report as noted in Mashable said: “Teen usage of Facebook has been a hot topic since reports began surfacing that the age group was moving on to other apps like Snapchat. In its third-quarter earnings call with analysts, Facebook CFO David Ebersman also admitted that “youth usage among U.S. teens was stable overall from Q2 to Q3, but we did see a decrease in daily users partly among younger teens.”
Data Study of 7000 Teens
A study noted in VentureBeat by curator Niche had some interesting findings:
“Facebook and Youtube reign supreme, with 61 percent and 55 percent of daily active users, respectively. Instagram and the Facebook-nemesis team over at Snapchat are neck-and-neck in the race for photo sharing apps (around 50 percent).”
On another note, Facebook does come in second among high school grads in one scenario….when texting is included! That makes sense to me! Texting reigns supreme.
Hopefully this data helps you in those conversations where the teen use of Facebook comes into the equation!
By the way, the Pew Research Center study also noted that “Adult Facebook use is intensifying: 64% of Facebook users visit the site on a daily basis, up from 51% of users who were daily users in 2010.” So, remember that fact and the fact that the majority of those with purchasing power are in the demographics of growing daily use on Facebook.
Your turn! Thoughts on the data?
This is a topic that I get asked about regularly so it’s great to some actual data around where teens are spending their time re social media. Great post Mike, thanks for the info!
Glad to hear it Tracy. Thanks for stopping by and let me know the value.
Mike, I think it the data tells two things… the young teenage / highschool is still a primary target on FB, but it also tells us that older generations like parents have increased daily use which now makes them a target demographic on FB. I believe depending on your business you are now targeting two different crowds with your content and the stakes are being raised on FB… The question to be answered is where is FB in 5 years or 10 years?
Yes, you can focus on the now and near future but 5 years out on Facebook is way too far to look at now!