Social media platforms offer many features; they are not just places to mindlessly scroll through reels. Some hook users by encouraging daily texts, while others allow them to check in with friends and family using the limited-time “story” option.
Adults use them to keep in touch and promote and sell things. What do youngsters today really use them for?
Most of the teenagers we spoke to admitted to using social media for communication and sharing photos. Unlike their parents and grandparents, who probably prefer phone calls, youngsters opt for chat as their first choice.
Chat apps like WhatsApp and Apple Messages appeal to some as a way to share information and photos with family members. Apple Messages links to the Calendar and Photos functions, making it easier to store photos using face recognition and update events and appointments.
While teens use chat apps to communicate with family, Instagram and TikTok are their preferred platforms for keeping up with friends, not just through the latest posts and reels but also through group messages.
Some teens also use TikTok to watch videos related to their interests, such as cooking or dancing. They can use the save function to select videos and watch them later. TikTok is preferred over YouTube as a video platform because they believe YouTube has older videos.
Many teens also admit to mindlessly scrolling through social media to relax or, as they put it, get a “dopamine hit”. It helps when they feel overwhelmed by school and exams.
Social media helps teens stay connected, particularly as everyone is busy with their own schedules and after-school activities. However, it is not the be-all and end-all. It may offer convenience, but nothing beats real-life interaction.
Although they do not enjoy making calls, teens prefer sending messages, sharing updates and having casual conversations online. Social media allows them to quickly check in with each other, discuss plans and continue conversations even when they are not physically together. It has become an important tool for maintaining friendships beyond the school environment.
However, the teens we spoke to still need and want to see their friends. They believe that even without social media, their friendships would remain strong as long as they could talk at school or hang out. Seeing their close friends at school every day allows them to maintain their bonds through face-to-face interactions.
Would they be okay without social media?
Communicating with friends would definitely become more challenging. Making plans, sharing updates and communicating after school would require more effort without messaging platforms. However, they claim it would not be impossible.
Social media plays an important role in teenagers’ daily lives, serving various purposes, including communication, entertainment, learning and maintaining friendships.
While some teenagers spend more time on social media, others prioritise their studies, sports and extracurricular activities, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balance.
Social media can be a useful tool for connection and self-expression, but its value depends on how it is used and whether teenagers can manage their time responsibly.
Young Voices. Young writers aged 18 and below who wish to have their work published may submit their contributions to [editor@twentytwo13.my](mailto:editor@twentytwo13.my).
The views expressed here are the personal opinions of the writers and do not necessarily represent those of Twentytwo13.
