Most Girls Get Unsolicited Messages on Social Media

More than half of 11-15 year old girls using Instagram and Snapchat in the United States have been contacted by strangers in a way that made them feel uncomfortable, according to a report by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization that reviews and provides ratings for media and technology in order to safeguard children. Meanwhile, some 48 percent of teen girls in the U.S. said they had been sent unsolicited messages over a messaging app, as 46 percent were contacted over TikTok and 30 percent on YouTube.

The report also reveals figures on how nearly half (45 percent) of girls who use TikTok say they feel “addicted” to the platform or use it more than intended at least weekly. In terms of the most “addictive”, or the highest share of users who reported using it more than intended at least weekly, the order is as follows: Snapchat (37 percent), YouTube (34 percent), Instagram (33 percent) and then Messaging apps (30 percent).

Perceptions among teenage girls on how different social media features affect their wellbeing were mixed. The two features that were most widely seen as having a negative impact were location sharing (45 percent said it was negative) and public accounts (33 percent). Recommended videos (49 percent) and notifications features (41 percent) were seen as more positive overall.