Prior research has shown Black teens are more likely than their peers to use nearly every social media platform, particularly TikTok. A former report from Pew Research Center found nearly nine out of every ten Black teens use the video-sharing platform, and over a third of Black teens say they use the app constantly throughout the day.
A new update from the Pew Research Center takes a deeper look into this topic by examining how teens use social media, revealing racial differences in what prompts teens to access platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.
About six-in-ten Black teens say they access TikTok to get news, compared to less than half of Hispanic and White teens. Black teens are also more likely to use the app to get product recommendations, keep up with athletes and celebrities, and connect with others. Additionally, Black teens are more likely than their Hispanic and White peers to use Instagram and Snapchat to get news.
Among TikTok users, Black teens are nearly twice as likely as their Hispanic and White peers to post or share their own media on a daily basis (31 percent versus 17 percent versus 16 percent). Among Instagram users, Black teens are also the most likely group to post daily, while White teens are the most likely group to post daily on Snapchat.
About one-third of Black teens on Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram use the platform to direct message other users on a daily basis. While Snapchat is the most popular app for direct messaging overall, White teens are significantly more likely than other teens to use the platform for messaging purposes. Black teens are more likely than their peers to use TikTok for direct messaging, while Hispanic teens are more likely than their peers to direct message on Instagram.
