The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens, 2019

Kids' media preferences are changing as new apps and sleeker technology make it easier to stay connected (and be entertained) wherever they go. Just in the past four years, we've seen dramatic shifts in online video viewing, smartphone ownership, and more. As kids come into their own, the messages they see in digital media will play an even bigger role in their sense of self, their social awareness, their well-being, and their access to information on everything from politics to the latest viral meme.

This large-scale study explores how kids age 8 to 18 in the U.S. use media across an array of activities and devices—including short-form, mobile-friendly platforms like YouTube—to see where they spend their time and what they enjoy most. Combined with the data from the 2015 report, the 2019 census gives us a clearer view of how young people's media use has evolved over time. The results speak to the individualized uses of media and the increase in time spent with personalized content on social media and in online videos—and the way shared family viewing and other formative media experiences are changing as a result. Take a look at the infographic for highlights.

 

Want more ways to connect with your kids as they grow up in a world of media and tech? Get started with these Common Sense tips and tools: