Emily A. Vogels is a research associate working on internet and technology research at Pew Research Center. Much of her recent work has focused on teen’s digital lives, the tone and tenor of online discourse and the digital divide.
She received her PhD in experimental psychology from University of New Brunswick, with a focus on social media use, interpersonal relationships, and sexuality in the digital age. She also has a master’s degree in cognitive and affective sciences from University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and bachelor’s degrees in psychology and human development from University of Wisconsin – Green Bay.
Nearly half of U.S. teens have been bullied or harassed online, with physical appearance being seen as a relatively common reason why. Older teen girls are especially likely to report being targeted by online abuse overall and because of their appearance.
Majorities of teens credit social media with strengthening their friendships and providing support while also noting the emotionally charged side of these platforms.
The landscape of social media is ever-changing, especially among teens who often are on the leading edge of this space. A new survey of American teenagers ages 13 to 17 finds that TikTok has established itself as one of the top online platforms for U.S. teens, while the share of teens who use Facebook has fallen sharply.
Nine-in-ten Americans say the internet has been essential or important to them, many made video calls and 40% used technology in new ways. But while tech was a lifeline for some, others faced struggles.
