Researchers from the Rutgers School of Communication and Information have found that social media can be a key issue in the debate about how adolescents grow and develop, and why teens experience social media design differently. They surveyed 923 parents and 202 teens across New Jersey and found that overuse and addiction are key issues for teens and parents alike. Over 40% of teens reported spending four or more hours daily on social media, including during class and late at night, often under their parents’ radar. The study also found that time spent online was the primary risk of overuse, with the three primary outcomes linked to potential overuse: reduced sleep quality, shortened attention span and limited physical activity. The researchers suggest that policy decisions should be made when young people understand their role in shaping their own digital lives.