Teens and the Future of Social Media

“Teens are spending nearly 5 hours daily on social media,” according to APA reports. Social media has become a crucial part of teenage life. The most popular social media platforms, such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, have millions of teen users. Recent debates about privacy, mental health, and national security have sparked scrutiny about the future of these apps, particularly TikTok. As the U.S. government moves to ban TikTok due to concerns over its Chinese ownership, millions of teens may lose one of their favorite apps. As the scrutiny of TikTok has increased, so has the attention paid to U.S.-based social media platforms like Instagram. In response to mounting pressure, Instagram has introduced new “teen account” settings in an attempt to protect younger users. However, are these changes enough to safeguard teens online, or do they raise even more questions about the role of social media in our lives?

TikTok Ban: Why?

In April 2024, Congress passed and President Biden signed legislation to ban TikTok, marking the culmination of years of bipartisan concern in Washington over Chinese threats tied to the ownership of the app. With over 42.5 million teen users, TikTok has become a powerful platform for entertainment, social connection, and content creation. However, according to AP News, “lawmakers and administration officials have expressed concerns that Chinese authorities could force ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to hand over U.S. user data, or influence Americans by suppressing or promoting certain content on TikTok.”

TikTok is a place for teens to participate in viral challenges, create content, and connect with friends. According to Pew Research, 63% of all U.S. teens use TikTok, with nearly 1 in 5 saying they use it “almost constantly.” Its simplicity and algorithm-driven content make it a go-to app for many. However, the government views the platform as a potential risk to national security, creating tension between its massive popularity and the need for regulation. “Congress is not acting to punish ByteDance, TikTok, or any other individual company,” Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell said. “Congress is acting to prevent foreign adversaries from conducting espionage, surveillance, and harming vulnerable Americans.” According to NPR, while the ban seriously threatens TikTok’s future in the U.S., legal challenges and complications in selling the app are likely to cause delays.

TikTok has already asked a federal appeals court to overturn the ban on the plea that free expression surpasses Congress’s national security concerns. A correspondent for NPR notes that the panel of three judges has not shown which way the court is leaning in this case. 

TikTok’s Other Legal Troubles

Recently, according to a CNN report, 14 attorneys general sued TikTok over allegations that the platform has “addicted” young people and harmed their mental health. “TikTok’s underlying business model focuses on maximizing young users’ time on the platform so the company can boost revenue from selling targeted ads,” the attorneys general said in a statement. TikTok is accused of using an addictive, content-recommendation system designed to keep minors on the platform as long as possible and as often as possible, despite the dangers of compulsive use. Kentucky Public Radio found documents where company officials admitted that features like a time-on-app reminder are not expected to reduce screen time as advertised; instead, it aimed at “improving public trust.” Another document quotes an anonymous TikTok executive talking about the app’s algorithm potentially addicting minors. The executive says we need to consider how the app might deprive young people of opportunities: “And when I say other opportunities, I literally mean sleep and eating and moving around the room and looking at someone in the eyes.”

Instagram’s Response: The Rise of Teen Accounts

In response to growing concerns over online safety, Instagram introduced new “teen account” settings in September 2024. These settings automatically make millions of teen accounts private and restrict the types of content that users under 18 can view. The changes are designed to protect teens from harmful or inappropriate content and encourage them to adopt parental supervision through the app.

While Instagram’s move to protect teens reflects a broader concern for online safety and mental health, some have questioned whether the platform’s intentions are genuinely selfless, especially considering the leaked documents from TikTok previously mentioned. Instagram’s primary goal is to keep users engaged, and companies like Meta, which owns Instagram, make money by collecting data and selling targeted ads. Vox mentions that although parents might feel more in control thanks to these new restrictions, the reality is that teens’ attention is still a valuable product in the social media economy.

Are These Changes Enough?

I believe Instagram’s “teen account” settings are a step in the right direction, but they fall short of fully protecting teen users. While these settings might offer more privacy and content restrictions, they do not address the inherent addictive nature of these platforms. Simply making accounts private is not enough to protect teens in a digital world that prioritizes engagement and attention above all else.

I do not believe tech companies should treat teens’ data as commodities. The current business model for social media platforms exploits teens’ engagement for profit. This raises concerns, as revenue conflicts with the well-being of young users. Social media companies must shift their focus from maximizing engagement to creating safer, more ethical digital spaces for teens if they truly care about their well-being.

What to Watch For and Why You Should Care

As these issues develop, you might wonder why it matters to you. Beyond the headlines, what’s at stake is your control over your digital life. Beyond privacy settings and content restrictions, your data—what you watch, click, and share—is being collected and sold. Have you thought about who profits from your online behavior and who controls your data? National security concerns may seem far off, but if governments are worried about foreign-owned apps using your data, shouldn’t you be? And then there’s mental health. How much time are we actually spending on these platforms? Are they making us feel more connected, or just more isolated? These are questions worth thinking about now because the future of social media is being shaped by these very issues.