Facebook might have been created in a college dorm, but it’s no longer resonating with young people. As older generations get a better handle of social media, teens are moving towards ephemeral media types, away from older eyes, whom they believe are infiltrating their private lives.

For digital natives, Facebook and Instagram are key social lifelines – but they also present a risk to users’ wellbeing as they judge themselves by what they see on these platforms. How is satirical site Lifefaker sparking a conversation about the dangers of obsessing over one’s online image?

Research shows YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat are more popular than Facebook among American teenagers. As the platform becomes more institutionalised, its user base is ageing and younger users are switching to more exciting and visual platforms for self expression.

A decade ago, social media was seen as a novel distraction. But with 92% of US teens going online daily, an online persona can lay the groundwork for an individual’s entire social life. Given the internet’s influence on Gen Z, Common Sense is helping students become better digital citizens.