With regulators in various regions looking to implement age limits on social media access in order to minimize harm among young users, and Snapchat specifically under investigation over how it facilitates illegal activity, the company has today highlighted two studies which it claims show that Snap is actually a positive platform for teen engagement.
The first study comes from The University of Amsterdam, which found that among adolescent users of large social media platforms, Snapchat is the only platform that positively impacts well-being.
Ad per the report:
“We found a consistent negative impact on time spent on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube across all three mental health dimensions. Conversely, spending time on Snapchat positively affected friendship closeness and well-being but had no significant impact on self-esteem.”
Which Snap would obviously love to hear, considering that it’s been selling itself as a more positive alternative to regular social media interaction and engagement.
Interestingly, the report also found that WhatsApp has a more positive impact than other messaging apps.
It’s worth noting that the report’s scope is relatively limited, based on feedback from 479 study participants. But there are some interesting notes here, which could provide a counterpoint to the ongoing concerns about social media’s impact on teen health.
“Our findings underscore the complex and multifaceted impact of social media on adolescent mental health. While negative effects are prevalent, especially on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, not all social media use seems harmful. This study highlights the urgent need for more nuanced research and targeted interventions that consider specific platforms and the individual experiences of adolescents.”
Snap has also highlighted a second report, conducted by three Australian mental health organizations, which found that Snapchat use was not associated with the common mental health concerns related to social apps.
That’s a strong endorsement of the app, with its focus on connecting friends leading to a more positive user experience, as opposed to other platforms which put more emphasis on public posting.
Maybe that’s another reason why Meta’s been keen to lean into private messaging, while filling your main feed with AI recommended posts, because it then drives users towards less harmful interactions.
Either way, these are clearly positive indicators for Snap’s efforts. And more positive user experiences lead to improved ad and marketing opportunities.
You can read more about these studies here.
