A new survey shows that Facebook isn't as popular among teenagers as it used to be.
Research firm Frank N. Magid Associates found that the percentage of American Facebook users between 13 and 17 years of age dropped 94 percent in 2013 to 88 percent this year, standing at 95 percent in 2012, according to CNET. The social network's popularity was also revealed to have declined from 93 percent in the past two years to 90 percent this year, showing a drop in popularity among all age groups.
Several reasons were found for Facebook losing favor with teens, with 16 percent of participants saying the site was trendy, only 9 percent saying it was safe and only 9 percent saying it was trustworthy. Only 18 percent thought the site was fun and 16 percent found it to be informative.
Frank N. Magid's report is the latest report to show Facebook's dwindling popularity with teens, with one study earlier this month concluding the group didn't think the site was "cool" anymore. Another report from October found that usage among 13 to 19 year olds dropped from 72 percent to 45 percent from spring to fall this year, according to The Verge.
While teens are seen as Facebook's target demographic, users getting older, as well as the need to get away from a "fixed social identity," play a role in teenagers becoming less interested in using the site.
The growing popularity of instant messaging apps also played a role in the survey, with 18 percent of participants saying they use SnapChat, 17 percent using iMessage from Apple, 9 percent using WhatsApp and 9 percent using Google Hangouts, CNET reported. Facebook Messenger took first place among these apps, accounting for 40 percent of those surveyed.
Facebook's trouble with teenagers isn't expected to cause that much harm to its business since the site is used by more than 1 billion people around the world.
Other good news for Facebook is that WhatsApp and Instagram, both of which the company owns, are the two main alternatives teenagers are turning too, The Verge reported. This gives the company another chance to regain the favor of its target group.
