Apps through the ages: A Qustodio study on kids’ tech use in the USA
🌈 Abstract
The article discusses the app usage habits of children and teenagers in the US, highlighting the increasing prevalence of social media and communication apps among different age groups.
🙋 Q&A
[01] 7-9 year olds
1. What are the key findings about 7-9 year olds' app usage?
- Over 30% of 7-9 year olds have access to the X (formerly Twitter) app, and 28% have used Reddit
- Roblox is the most popular app for this age group, with over 2 hours of daily usage
- While Roblox may seem harmless, it poses risks as adults also play on the platform and some games contain inappropriate sexual content
2. What are the concerns around 7-9 year olds' access to apps like X and Reddit?
- These apps could expose kids to explicit content like hate speech, pornography, and disinformation
- Parents may not be aware of the risks or think to block these apps as they are not as "popular"
[02] 10-12 year olds
1. What are the key findings about 10-12 year olds' app usage?
- 42% of US kids in this age group have their own smartphone
- 40% use TikTok for an average of 121 minutes per day, which equates to around 240 TikTok videos per day
- Usage of social media platforms like X and Reddit also increases dramatically, exposing kids to mature content
- Roblox remains popular, with 62% of 10-12 year olds using it for an average of 143 minutes per day
2. What are the concerns around 10-12 year olds' access to smartphones and social media platforms?
- Mature content is easy to find on platforms like Reddit and X, which can lead to accidental exposure to pornography
- Many parents are unaware of features like Family Pairing on TikTok that can help manage their child's experience
[03] 13-15 year olds
1. What are the key findings about 13-15 year olds' app usage?
- Roblox's popularity starts to decline, while Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Shopping become more popular
- Social media and communication apps like TikTok (47% usage) and Snapchat (38% usage) become more prevalent
- Snapchat's "disappearing" messages can embolden teens to engage in more explicit or toxic behavior
2. What are the concerns around 13-15 year olds' use of social media and communication apps?
- Teens at this age crave independence but still have poor impulse control, leading to an increase in cyberbullying and toxic online behaviors
- The "disappearing" nature of Snapchat messages can encourage more risky online behavior
[04] 16-18 year olds
1. What are the key findings about 16-18 year olds' app usage?
- TikTok usage remains high, with 42% of 16-18 year olds using the app for an average of 108 minutes per day
- Instagram usage is also significant, with 16-18 year olds spending an average of 72 minutes per day on the app
- Communication apps like Discord (40% usage) and Snapchat (39% usage) are popular among this age group
2. What are the concerns around 16-18 year olds' use of these apps?
- Even at this age, access to these applications poses the same risks that earlier age groups are exposed to
- These apps can become a significant distraction during a critical pre-adult study period