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