+Half of Teenagers on Social “Almost Constantly” & Stop Planting Trees? (news)

by George Weiner

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Conversation Summary:

  1. Teen Social Media Usage:
    • Pew Research Center study highlights that nearly half of US teens are online almost constantly, a steep rise from 24% in 2014-2015.
    • Smartphone Access: 95% of teens have or can access a smartphone.
    • TikTok Usage: 58% of teens use TikTok daily; 17% nearly constantly.
    • Role of Nonprofits: Organizations like The JET Foundation address the risks and benefits of social media use among teens.
  2. Nonprofit Digital Strategy Insights:
    • Social Media in Teens’ Lives: Essential for youth engagement, education, and sports.
    • YouTube’s Dominance: Used by 93% of teens, making it a critical platform for nonprofits.
    • Content Strategy: Emphasis on short-form videos and visual content across major platforms.
    • Role of AI in Content Creation: Importance of human elements in digital communication.
  3. Crypto Donations:
    • The Giving Block Report: Notable growth in crypto donations.
    • Crypto Market Trends: Predicted increase in donations aligned with market trends.
    • Advice for Nonprofits: Prepare for potential crypto donation surges.
  4. Reassessment of Tree Planting Initiatives:
    • Thomas Crowther’s Shift: From advocating massive tree planting to halting it.
    • Concerns: Biodiversity, misuse by businesses to offset emissions.
    • Nonprofit Response: Need to explore diverse, effective climate solutions.
  5. CO2 Emissions Data Visualization:
    • Our World in Data: Shows per capita CO2 emissions trends.
    • US Emissions: Decrease in per capita emissions since the 1960s.
    • Hopeful Outlook: Progress in emissions reduction indicates potential for further improvement.
  6. Social Enterprise Spotlight:
    • Greensland Bakery: Founded by Carolyn Johnson to help women recover from trauma.
    • Earned Revenue Model: Combines business operations with social change.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Digital Engagement: Nonprofits must adapt to the digital habits of younger generations.
  2. Video Content Priority: Shift towards video content, especially on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
  3. Crypto Philanthropy: Potential for growth in crypto donations requires preparedness by nonprofits.
  4. Complexity in Climate Solutions: Reevaluation of strategies like tree planting, exploring diverse approaches.
  5. Data-Driven Decisions: Using data visualizations for informed strategies.
  6. Social Enterprises: Combining business models with social impact.
Pew Survey Finds More Than Half of Teenagers Use Social Media “Almost Constantly”In a recent Pew Research Center survey, a striking insight into U.S. teens’ digital life was revealed: nearly half of them report being online “almost constantly,” a significant increase from the 24% in 2014-2015. This pervasive internet usage is facilitated by widespread smartphone access, with 95% of teens having or accessing one. The study found that “58% of teens are daily users of TikTok” and approximately 17% describe their TikTok use as “almost constant.” Nonprofit mental health organizations like The JED Foundation works hard to communicate about the risks of excessive social media use among teens and young adults, curating content for both young users and caretakers for helping teens manage mental health online. Yet, experts cite the positive aspects of social media as an important outlet for teens to experience community, particularly from vulnerable groups, emphasizing that eliminating or heavily restricting social media use among teens is not a viable solution. Community, education, and other local organizations that work with youth should consider how they can help teens foster healthy relationships with social media.
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