What portion of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 say they use the internet almost constantly?
Friday Current Event
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
Currently, what percentage of American teens age 13-17 say they use the internet about once a day?
Currently, what percentage of American teens age 13-17 say they use the internet almost constantly?
How would you answer the question in the survey above?
Describe the change over time in the percentage of American teens age 13-17 who say they use the internet almost constantly?
What do you think has most driven that change?
What do you imagine is the biggest consequence of that change?
The data from the chart above was most recently collected in October 2023. How different do you think the data will be in two more years?
How do you think the near constant usage of the internet will impact the politics of today’s teenage generation in the future when they are old enough to vote?
About fifteen years ago, when widespread usage of the internet really began to grow and many students began carrying smartphones with them, I remember telling students that they would be the most informed and empowered generation in the history of the world. Do you think I was right?
According to the graphic below how do demographics impact internet usage?
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Since you are already online almost nearly constantly, take a second to register to vote online. You don’t even need to be 18 yet, and it takes less than three minutes.
Get Creative
In the 1980s when I was a teen I used the internet exactly never. How do you think teenage life in the 1980s was most different from life today? Describe the day in the life in a 1980s teen and a 2020s teen?
Learning Extension
Check out all the Pew Research data about teens and the internet.