Report Launch: The Social Value of Snapchat.
Young people in the UK are facing a social connection crisis.
According to the ONS (Aug 25), 1 in 10 people aged 16–29 say they “often or always” feel lonely — nearly double the rate of the general population. In London alone, 12% of 16–24-year-olds experience severe loneliness.
With over 80% of young people using digital platforms such as Snapchat, multiple times a day – technology and social applications are more than entertainment, they play an essential role in helping young people to navigate key milestones, life transitions and tackle loneliness/social isolation.
Similar to Whatsapp and iMessage for adults, Snapchat is a comms platform for young people that differs from other social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook in terms of how it’s used and its impact. Technology has become a vital enabler of connection, creativity, and belonging and it’s now more important than ever to understand the social value that these platforms offer.
The Purpose of the Study.
Led by Neighbourly Lab, in partnership with the Policy Institute at King’s College London and KMC Research, we’re excited to share our latest research exploring the Social Value of Snapchat for young people in the UK. This study goes beyond surface-level analysis, diving deep into how Snapchat supports teenagers and young adults (13–24) to thrive — not just socially, but emotionally, creatively, and culturally.
Why this research matters:
While many studies focus on the risks of digital life, our research took a different route. By listening directly to young people across the UK – in their own words, on their own terms, we aimed to understand why snapchat resonates with young people and the ‘key ingredients’ that separate it from other social media apps.
What did we find?
Designed for social connection, we think of snapchat as the “friend-machine for teenagers” as it plays powerful yet often overlooked roles in the everyday lives of young people.
- 1. Builds Friendship networks
Snapchat has the greatest value and impact for younger teenagers aged 13 to 15 who value this more as a tool for social connection with 65% of users aged 13–24 saying that Snapchat makes it easier to meet new people. - 2. Keeps on top of relationships with distance
Snapchat helps 80% of young people aged 13 to 24 to stay in contact with friends they don’t see often with 25% of young people using the app to stay in touch with someone in a different country. 1 in 3 young people believe it’s the most useful platform for this, compared to 1 in 5 choosing Instagram or Whatsapp. - 3.Primary line of communication with friends & family
Snapchat helps 78% of young people aged 13 to 24 to stay in touch with close friends they see regularly in real life. It also helps 69% of young people aged 13 to 24 stay connected with family members. - 4. It keeps social life connected across spaces – online and IRL (in real life).
70% of young people aged 13 to 24 feel Snapchat helps them feel included in ‘what’s going on’ – helping them to organise social gatherings and events in real life. - 5. The safety net for big life changes
70% of 13–15-year-olds say Snapchat helps them build confidence, it makes them feel supported, and stops them from feeling lonely – more than any other social platform. The emotional benefits of Snapchat for this age group is higher than other groups.
Click below to download the report
A special thank you goes out to our brilliant research partners at the Policy Institute (King’s College London) and KMC Research, and to all the young people who shared their voices with us.