Facebook may have lost the cool factor with young people, but a recent study from Pew Research indicates 71% of U.S. teens still use the website.
The study, which surveyed a total of 1,000 teens ages 13 to 17, shows 41% claimed they still use the social network more frequently than other social networks. Social apps Instagram scored second place, and Snapchat scored third place.
Most American teens love Facebook
Teens are still the core audience for Facebook and the company’s advertising dollars. Although the key demographic previously deemed Mark Zuckerberg’s brainchild as uncool, many have wondered just how much the demographic has changed. Last year, Piper Jaffray and Frank N. Magid Associated found that overall teen use of Facebook declined over the past few years. A Forrester poll from last year showed a similar finding to the current poll.
David Ebersman (Financial Chief Officer for Facebook) said younger teens were using Facebook less back in 2013. He said there was a decline in usage from the second to third quarter. A month later, Sheryl Sandberg alleviated worries by confirming most teens were still using the website.
A look at teens on Facebook
The Pew survey reports most teenagers divide their time on multiple social platforms. However, 22 percent of those survey admitted they only use one website exclusively. Of that group, 66% use Facebook, 13% use Google+, 13% use Instagram, and 3% use Snapchat. Teen boys are most likely favor Facebook over other social platforms; girls tend to prefer Tumblr and Instagram. 44% older teens (15 to 17) are more likely to use Facebook than younger teens (13 to 14). The latter group is more likely use Instagram, which is a still a win because Facebook owns it.
Most young Facebook users have a lot of friends on their account. 30% of polled teens have 0 to 100 friends; 12% have between 101 and 200 friends. A third of teens are not certain how many Facebook pals on their list.
