Ask a roomful of UK teenagers which apps they’d rather not lose and you’ll get a dozen different answers — but some patterns are crystal clear. In 2025, short-video giants, private messaging apps, and a few creative platforms dominate teenagers’ digital lives. In this psot, we look at the most popular apps among UK teens right now, why they’re so sticky, and what the numbers reveal about how young people spend their time online.
1. YouTube — still the go-to place for video and discovery
If there’s one platform that remains universal among young people, it’s YouTube. For teens, YouTube isn’t just a video site — it’s basically the internet’s living room. It’s where they go to learn a new skill, follow their favourite creators, watch livestreams, or discover new music. The platform’s ability to cater to every niche imaginable means it continues to outshine newcomers.
YouTube is also where many teens do their “passive scrolling,” similar to how older generations watched TV. Long-form videos, short clips, and live content blend seamlessly, making it a default app for both entertainment and education. For example, it’s common for students to search for quick homework help or tutorials right after school, mixing study with leisure time almost effortlessly.
Why teens love it: endless variety, powerful recommendations, and a sense of discovery.
2. Snapchat — quick, private, and still huge with younger teens
Snapchat remains a daily staple for UK teens, particularly the younger age brackets. Its unique mix of disappearing messages, playful filters, and close-friend interactions makes it a favourite for quick, informal communication. Teens often use Snapchat the way older generations used text messaging: rapid, casual, and highly frequent.
Unlike more public platforms, Snapchat feels private. Messages vanish, group chats are temporary, and the app encourages spontaneous, authentic exchanges. For 11–14-year-olds, it’s often the first social app they use heavily, becoming a kind of digital common room where friends hang out throughout the day.
Why teens love it: ephemeral communication, fun creative tools, and a sense of privacy that other apps don’t offer.
3. TikTok — cultural heartbeat (and controversy)
TikTok remains the cultural pulse point for UK teenagers. It’s where trends are born, memes spread, and overnight sensations happen. The short-form video format is perfectly tuned to teenage attention spans, and the algorithm’s uncanny ability to surface relevant content keeps engagement levels sky-high.
TikTok has also become a major search engine for teens. Whether they’re looking for fashion tips, revision hacks, or restaurant recommendations, many now search TikTok before Google. However, this influence comes with growing scrutiny around harmful content and screen-time concerns. Despite regulatory debates, TikTok’s popularity shows no signs of slowing in 2025.
Why teens love it: fast-moving trends, easy creative tools, and the sense that anyone can go viral.
4. Instagram — part entertainment, part aspiration
Instagram has evolved well beyond a simple photo-sharing app. In 2025, it blends polished images, Reels videos, shopping features, and influencer culture into one powerful platform. Older teens, especially those aged 16–19, tend to use Instagram more heavily than younger ones. It’s a space where they can curate their identity, follow celebrities, explore trends, and connect with friends publicly.
Instagram’s dual nature — part entertainment feed, part personal showcase — makes it appealing but also sometimes pressuring. Many teens feel they need to present a carefully edited version of their lives here, unlike on Snapchat where interactions are more relaxed.
Why teens love it: aesthetic control, social validation through likes and comments, and access to a huge cultural universe.
5. WhatsApp — the quiet backbone of teenage coordination
While not as flashy as TikTok or Instagram, WhatsApp is quietly one of the most essential apps for UK teens. It’s the backbone of day-to-day coordination: school groups, family chats, weekend plans, and club activities all happen here. Group chats form tight social circles that teens rely on for quick updates and shared media.
WhatsApp also feels more private and controlled than social feeds. Conversations are encrypted, groups are invitation-only, and there’s no public “performance” aspect. For parents, this is often the first messaging app they’re comfortable letting their children use, so it naturally becomes a default communication tool.
Why teens love it: reliability, private group chats, and ease of use.
6. Discord — communities, gaming, and niche hangouts
Discord has expanded far beyond its gaming roots. Today, UK teens use it for everything from homework groups to music fan communities. Servers provide structured spaces where they can chat, share media, or join voice channels for hours. Teens who are part of fandoms, coding clubs, or creative groups often find their community on Discord rather than mainstream social platforms.
Unlike the fleeting nature of Snapchat, Discord offers persistent spaces. Messages stay, discussions are organised by topic, and moderation tools give users a sense of control over their environment. For many teenagers, Discord isn’t just an app — it’s their favourite hangout spot.
Why teens love it: a strong sense of community, flexible chat options, and shared interests.
7. Roblox & other gaming platforms — where play meets socialising
Gaming platforms like Roblox and Minecraft are more than just games for many teens; they function as social networks. Friends meet up in virtual worlds, build together, and chat while playing. Younger teens especially use Roblox as a creative outlet, designing their own games or exploring those made by others.
This blend of gaming and socialising makes these platforms a unique part of teenage digital culture. Instead of scrolling feeds, teens are interacting inside a shared virtual space — laughing, competing, collaborating, and exploring together.
Why teens love it: creativity, immersive play, and real-time social interaction.
8. BeReal and rising newcomers — chasing authenticity
Every year, a handful of new apps briefly catch fire among UK teens. In recent years, BeReal stood out by encouraging users to post an unfiltered photo once a day, offering a refreshing alternative to the curated perfection of Instagram. While its usage tends to spike and then settle, the appetite for novelty is clear: teens love being early adopters.
New entrants often thrive on word of mouth in schools. One clever feature or viral challenge can turn a little-known app into a playground sensation almost overnight.
Why teens love it: novelty, authentic self-expression, and the thrill of being “in” on something new.
Bigger trends shaping teen app choices
Time concentration on a few platforms is striking. Teenagers may have dozens of apps on their phones, but the majority of their time is spent on a handful: YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram. This concentration means that cultural trends can spread incredibly fast, sometimes going from one school to nationwide within days.
Age differences are also noticeable. App preferences shift noticeably as teens grow up. Younger teens lean toward Snapchat, Roblox, and YouTube, while older teens gravitate to Instagram, TikTok, and more sophisticated community spaces like Discord. Understanding these age splits helps explain why certain apps explode in popularity within specific school year groups.
Safety and regulation play a bigger role in 2025. The UK’s Online Safety Act and related policy changes are reshaping how platforms handle teenage users. Features like time limits, stricter content moderation, and age verification are becoming more common. Teens are aware of these changes, and while some welcome them, others look for workarounds. Parents and educators are increasingly involved in these conversations, trying to balance freedom with protection.
Quick stats snapshot
YouTube continues to be the most widely used platform among UK teens, with usage spanning both short- and long-form content. YouTube and Snapchat together account for over half of the daily time spent online by younger teens. TikTok remains one of the most downloaded apps in the UK, especially among 13–17-year-olds. Instagram usage is highest among older teens, who use it for both entertainment and identity curation. Messaging apps like WhatsApp remain nearly universal, even if they attract less media attention.
What this means for parents, teachers, and creators
For parents, the key is conversation, not just restriction. Asking teens what they enjoy on these apps, who they talk to, and how they feel about their experiences is far more effective than blanket bans. For teachers, these platforms can be powerful learning tools when used thoughtfully — for example, YouTube for tutorials or Discord for study groups.
For creators and brands, the message is clear: authenticity, speed, and creativity win teen attention. Static, overly polished content feels outdated. Teens respond best to content that feels real, interactive, and culturally current.
Final thoughts — teens shape the internet, not just follow it
What’s striking in 2025 is how stable the types of behaviour are: video consumption, private communication, and community interaction. Apps may rise and fall, but these needs don’t change. UK teens aren’t just passively consuming the internet — they’re actively shaping trends, building communities, and pushing platforms to evolve.
The smartest way to understand teen digital culture isn’t to chase every new app, but to grasp the underlying behaviours driving their choices. Those behaviours — creativity, connection, and curiosity — aren’t going anywhere.
