Caveat – The focus of this article is based on our experiences with students and educators in British Columbia, which may differ from those in other provinces or countries.
As technology continues to shape how young people communicate and engage with one another, it’s fascinating to observe the nuances of their behavior across different age groups. Recently, we have recognized some interesting anecdotal trends that have emerged that provide valuable insights for parents, caregivers, and educators striving to understand youth digital habits. These trends not only highlight generational shifts, but also reveal the positive impact of learned experience, education, and awareness on responsible technology use.
At several of our recent in-person presentations at high schools, an interesting pattern emerged regarding student communication preferences. When we asked Grade 8 and 9 students, what application they are primarily using to communicate with one another, overwhelmingly the feedback favored iMessage over more visually dynamic platforms like Snapchat. When asked why, their reasoning was revealing – many teens in this age group voiced that they felt that iMessage was more personal and less likely to lead to the drama they associated with platforms like Snapchat. They also mentioned that the new integration of being able to iMessage peers who have an Android phone has been a game changer when it comes to staying connected with their friend group. This movement away from Snapchat might be the reason why Snapchat’s stock as plummeted 88% in the past two and a half years (1) – it appears that younger teens are migrating to other more private, less drama prone scaffolded communities, and intentionally moving away from traditional public facing social media platforms like Snapchat (2)
This insight underscores an important shift for this age group in how younger teens prioritize their social interactions. For these students, iMessage represents a digital space that is simple, private, and free from the pressures of performance or public judgment that often accompany Snapchat’s stories and streaks. Parents can take this as an encouraging sign that some younger teens are seeking intentional and lower-risk communication methods rather than gravitating toward platforms that might amplify social stress publicly.
Presently, for older students in Grades 10 – 12, we heard clearly that Snapchat remains a preferred platform for connecting with peers. The reasons student in these grades mentioned were primarily rooted in the platform’s unique features – ephemeral messages, the ability to maintain streaks, and a more informal, multimedia-rich form of communication. They also mentioned that Snapchat was an app they grew up with, which made total sense to us.
While Snapchat’s appeal to older teens is undeniable, it also comes with potential challenges, such as increased exposure to social comparison, drama, peer pressure, and algorithmic echo chambers – most of which the students we spoke with acknowledged. That is one reason why this age group stated to us that they are also starting to use more private communication application such as Telegram and Signal to stay connected with one-another, which also come with some challenges that parents, caregivers, and educators should be aware of (3)
Principals’ Perspective: Positive Change Since COVID
Another Interesting conversation we had recently – a school principal we spoke with shared with us that they are seeing less problematic use of technology by students today, compared to pre-COVID times. When asked why, this principal suggested that today’s younger generation has learned from the mistakes of their older peers. The principal also noted that educational initiatives, such as digital literacy and internet safety programs like the ones we offer, are making a tangible difference in her opinion.
This is an encouraging sign that the effort to educate young people about digital literacy and responsibility is paying off. Anecdotally, the lessons learned during the pandemic, such as balancing screen use, privacy challenges, managing online relationships, and recognizing the impact of digital dossiers, appear to have influenced a shift in behavior among many teens – especially the younger ones.
These anecdotal insights from both students and educators offer several key takeaways for parents, caregivers, and educators striving to guide youth in today’s onlife world:
- Platforms like iMessage are viewed as a safer, drama-free space by younger teens. If your child is gravitating toward these platforms, it could be a sign that they are seeking more meaningful and private communication. Celebrate this choice while discussing how to maintain boundaries and recognize red flags.
- Older teen’s preference for Snapchat doesn’t necessarily indicate a lack of responsibility but rather reflects their social reality. Instead of vilifying the platform, use it as an opportunity to teach teens about navigating social pressures, maintaining privacy, and balancing online and offline interactions.
- The reduction in problematic tech use among most teens suggests that education is working. Parents should continue to reinforce these lessons at home by discussing digital literacy, setting reasonable boundaries, and modeling healthy tech habits themselves.
The evolving ways in which teens use technology highlight the importance of recognizing generational shifts and understanding the nuances behind their platform choices. While younger teens appear to be gravitating toward iMessage for its simplicity and reduced public drama, older teens still embrace Snapchat for its dynamic, informal features. These trends reveal a broader narrative – teens are learning to navigate their onlife world more thoughtfully, thanks in part to education, open discussions, and their own personal experiences with technology and the internet.
For parents, caregivers, and educators, these shifts offer opportunities to celebrate positive digital habits, foster open conversations about online challenges, and reinforce the value of thoughtful, intentional tech use. By acknowledging these generational trends and supporting teens in navigating their digital lives responsibly, we can help them build healthier relationships with technology in an ever-connected world.
These trends emphasize the importance of maintaining a proactive and balanced approach to guiding teens in their “onlife” interactions. Rather than vilifying certain platforms, parents and educators can use these preferences as starting points for teaching critical lessons about privacy, digital boundaries, and managing social pressures. Platforms like iMessage provide a teachable moment to highlight the benefits of intentional communication, while Snapchat and emerging apps like Telegram and Signal offer opportunities to discuss the complexities of multimedia-rich and encrypted communication.
The reduction in problematic technology use by younger teens since the pandemic that some educators have seen, is a testament to the positive impact of digital literacy education and the adaptive nature of today’s youth. It highlights how learned experience, when combined with education and ongoing support from adults, can lead to more responsible online behaviors. By celebrating these positive shifts and addressing challenges constructively, we can continue to foster a generation of tech-savvy, thoughtful, and resilient digital citizens.
As we have stated several times, “youth have a lot to offer us adults, we adults just need to be willing to listen”
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech
References:
1/ https://finance.yahoo.com/news/snapchat-plans-turn-around-brutal-130000031.html
