TSI Top 10: Social media platforms teens use the most
We work with schools across the country, and before we visit, we encourage middle school and high school students to complete a social media survey. In the 2017-2018 school year, more than 4,800 6th-12th grade students at independent schools nationwide told us which social media platforms they use the most. They’ve told us about Snapstreaks and finstas, why they can’t stop playing Fortnite or replying to group texts.
Below is our first annual TSI Top 10, sharing the most popular social media platforms for students, with #1 being the most popular. Click the links to get the breakdown for each platform in our Resource Portal.
#10 VSCO
This photography app takes photo editing and sharing to the extreme. Think Instagram, but fancier. If you have a good eye for capturing impressive, high-quality photos, you are welcome here! Go to the VSCO Playbook.
#9 Houseparty
Video chat with up to eight friends (or friends of friends) spontaneously using your device’s front-facing camera. Don’t let logo’s universal symbol of “Party!” dissuade you. The app is popular with younger teens, too. Go to the Houseparty Playbook.
#8 Twitter
This is the most popular app for communicating short messages to large groups. Follow news, join trending discussions, engage with leaders, and more. Go to the Twitter Playbook.
#7 Pinterest
Browse and save everything that interests you on Pinterest. The site is most popular with the creative folks who “pin” everything from crafts, tattoos, and photography to cooking, decorating, and collecting stuff. Go to the Pinterest Playbook.
#6 Console Gaming (Fortnite!)
The PlayStation 4 can stream music, movies, TV shows, oh and games. Its robust parental controls are a good thing, considering how easy it is to connect with other gamers. (Even when playing Fortnite.) Go to the PlayStation 4 Playbook.
#5 Snapchat
Share pictures, videos, and text messages that (sometimes) disappear after the recipient has seen them. You can also make a series of snaps called Stories that disappear after 24 hours. Unless someone screenshots, of course. Go to the Snapchat Playbook.
#4 Instagram
Share captioned photos and videos, view other people’s — and brands’ — posts, and send messages to your followers. Teens are known for creating fake accounts called Finstas. Adults use it a lot, too! Go to the Instagram Playbook.
#3 Email
Very often, the first impression you may make is in someone’s inbox. So, know why you are writing and include a clear subject, use good grammar, and provide a clear context of the situation. Go to the Thoughtful Email Huddle.
#2 YouTube
Even the most disciplined user can lose track of the hours on the largest video platform. Share your own or watch, comment, and vote on others’ edited or live-streamed videos (including some shot in 360 degrees!). Go to the YouTube Playbook.
#1 Texting
A go-to for communicating with everyone from family and friends to teachers and coaches, texting can fill your day with “dings,” alerting you to each new message. Go to the Texting Playbook.
Every time we work with a school, we survey the entire community to learn each school’s culture and behaviors around social media. This is how we gathered the data about which social media platforms kids are using most. Schools, contact us to learn how to work with The Social Institute and provide your entire parent community with access to our Social Locker Room.