This research study provides a snapshot of how U.S. teens experience the role of social media in their social and emotional lives. Using survey data from a nationally representative, probability-based sample of 13- to 17-year-olds, we address these questions:

• How often are teens texting and using Facebook and Twitter?
• What are teenagers’ favorite ways to communicate with their friends and family?
• How do teens think these new communications tools are affecting their friendships and family relations, if at all?
• How does social networking make most teens feel about themselves and their relationships with their peers? Does it make them feel more connected or more isolated? Better about themselves, or more depressed and lonely?
• How do the heaviest social media users compare to other teens in terms of their social and emotional well-being?

Read on about the key findings from the study, or see our infographic on study highlights.