A poll of 500 teens aged 13-17 and their parents found budgeting and meditation also made the list of new skills they’ve picked up
Young people are acquiring a range of skills from social media, research has found, from coding, dance routines, and breathing techniques. According to a poll of 500 teens and their parents, other skills that are being picked up from online platforms include budgeting and meditation.
While traditional life skills like cooking and cleaning are still largely learned from parents, many teens are turning to social media for quick tutorials and tips. The poll found that over a third of teens prefer to use social media for learning new skills, and almost three-quarters agree that it’s a valuable resource for doing so.
The research, commissioned by TikTok, comes as the platform introduces a new guided meditation feature to help users unwind at night with calming music and breathing exercises. This feature will be automatically enabled for all users under 18 after 10pm.
Val Richey, TikTok’s global head of outreach and partnerships, trust and safety, stated: “There’s never been more opportunity for young people to discover, learn, and share their creativity. But the ability to step back and slow down is just as important.”
Richey added: “More and more, we’re seeing teens taking an interest in finding the right balance for them, and we want to help support those decisions.”
The poll revealed that two-thirds of teens believe it’s essential to know when to take a break from technology. However, the research also found that trying new skills can have numerous benefits, with half of respondents agreeing that it boosts creativity and confidence, and 35% saying it increases happiness.
Meanwhile, a quarter (25%) of parents have been wowed by their youngsters picking up new tricks via social media. More than half (58%) say they start exploring a topic simply after coming across it while scrolling and 91% are likely to use social media as a place to learn new skills in the future.
Val Richey from TikTok, which is also expanding its Mental Health Media Education Fund by donating over £1.7 million in ad credits to over 30 mental health organisations around the world, added: “Whether it’s learning a new skill or connecting around shared interests, young people are using platforms in creative new ways.
“Creating space for that kind of growth – online and offline – is something we’re proud to support.”
TOP 30 SKILLS TEENS ARE LEARNING FROM SOCIAL MEDIA:
- Gaming
- Exercise routines
- Cooking
- Doing hair styles
- Apply make-up
- Dance routines
- Drawing
- Baking
- A foreign language
- A musical instrument
- Coding
- Painting
- DIY
- Self-defence techniques
- Presentation skills
- Budgeting and finance tips
- CV writing
- First aid
- Mindfulness
- How to recycle properly
- Cleaning
- How to do CPR on a person
- Meditation
- Breathing techniques
- Sign language
- Handstands
- What to do if you fall through ice
- Crochet
- How to get yourself out of quicksand
- How to do CPR on a dog