GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Must-Know Childrens Media Use Statistics [Current Data]

Highlights: S Media Use Statistics

  • 14% of 3-4-year-olds have their own media device, such as a tablet or games console.
  • 98% of children aged 8-11 use a tablet or smartphone.
  • US children aged 8 to 12 spend an average of 4 hours and 44 minutes per day on screens.
  • 56% of children aged 8-12 have their own social media profiles or accounts.
  • In 2017, children aged 5-15 spent 15 hours and 18 minutes per week watching TV, down from 15 hours and 24 minutes in 2016.
  • Children aged 5-15 spend an average of 2 hours 11 minutes online per day during the week, and 2 hours 9 minutes online per day on weekends.
  • 34% of children aged 12-15 watch TV programs or films on YouTube.
  • 50% of children aged 0-8 have a television in their bedroom.
  • As of 2020, 53% of children in the US have their own smartphone by age 11.
  • 83% of parents report that their children aged 0-8 use YouTube.
  • Boys aged 12-15 are more likely than girls to play video games, with 90% of boys and 73% of girls reporting that they play games.
  • 45% of children aged 8-12 have watched a video on Amazon Prime or Netflix on a mobile device.
  • 67% of teens aged 13-18 say they use social media to stay connected with friends.
  • On average, children aged 8-12 use 3.1 devices to access the internet.
  • 22% of teens aged 13-18 in 2019 say they constantly feel the need to check their devices for updates.
  • 75% of 6- to 17-year-old children in the US watch video content on YouTube.
  • 51% of children aged 9-16 encounter sexual images online, with 27% encountering these images through websites or apps.
  • 70% of 2- to 4-year-old children in the US use a tablet at least once a week.

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Children’s media use is an ever-evolving landscape, with new technologies and platforms emerging all the time. It can be difficult to keep up with the latest statistics on how children are using these devices and services. To help you stay informed, here are 20 recent statistics about children’s media use from reliable sources:

The Most Important Statistics
14% of 3-4-year-olds have their own media device, such as a tablet or games console.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of media devices in the lives of young children. It highlights the fact that media devices are becoming increasingly accessible to children at a younger age, and that parents should be aware of the potential risks associated with their use. It also serves as a reminder that parents should be mindful of the amount of time their children are spending on media devices, and the content they are exposed to.

98% of children aged 8-11 use a tablet or smartphone.

This statistic is a powerful indicator of the prevalence of technology in the lives of children aged 8-11. It speaks to the fact that the majority of children in this age group are engaging with digital media on a regular basis, and highlights the need for parents and educators to be aware of the potential risks and benefits associated with this type of media use.

Children’S Media Use Statistics Overview

US children aged 8 to 12 spend an average of 4 hours and 44 minutes per day on screens.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the amount of time children are spending on screens, and the potential impact this could have on their development. It highlights the need for parents to be aware of how much time their children are spending on screens, and to ensure that they are engaging in activities that are beneficial to their growth and wellbeing.

56% of children aged 8-12 have their own social media profiles or accounts.

This statistic is a telling indication of the prevalence of social media use among children aged 8-12. It highlights the importance of understanding the impact of social media on children’s lives and the need to ensure that they are using it safely and responsibly.

In 2017, children aged 5-15 spent 15 hours and 18 minutes per week watching TV, down from 15 hours and 24 minutes in 2016.

This statistic is significant in the context of children’s media use statistics as it indicates a decrease in the amount of time children aged 5-15 are spending watching TV. This suggests that children are increasingly turning to other forms of media, such as the internet, for entertainment and information. This shift in media consumption habits is important to consider when discussing the impact of media on children’s development.

Children aged 5-15 spend an average of 2 hours 11 minutes online per day during the week, and 2 hours 9 minutes online per day on weekends.

This statistic is a telling indication of the amount of time children are spending online, particularly during the weekdays. It highlights the need for parents to be aware of the amount of time their children are spending online and to ensure that they are engaging in appropriate activities. It also serves as a reminder that parents should be monitoring their children’s online activities and setting limits on their screen time.

34% of children aged 12-15 watch TV programs or films on YouTube.

This statistic is significant in the context of Children’s Media Use Statistics as it highlights the prevalence of YouTube as a source of entertainment for children aged 12-15. It demonstrates that YouTube is a popular platform for children to watch TV programs and films, and that it is a major part of their media consumption. This is important to consider when discussing the impact of media on children’s development and behavior.

50% of children aged 0-8 have a television in their bedroom.

This statistic is significant in the context of children’s media use statistics as it highlights the prevalence of television in the lives of young children. It suggests that television is a major source of entertainment for children, and that it is easily accessible to them in their own bedrooms. This has implications for the amount of time children spend watching television, as well as the content they are exposed to.

As of 2020, 53% of children in the US have their own smartphone by age 11.

This statistic is a telling indication of the prevalence of smartphones in the lives of children in the US. It highlights the fact that a majority of children in the US have access to their own smartphones by the age of 11, which has significant implications for their media use. It is an important statistic to consider when discussing the impact of media on children’s lives.

83% of parents report that their children aged 0-8 use YouTube.

This statistic is a powerful indicator of the prevalence of YouTube usage among children aged 0-8. It highlights the importance of understanding the impact of YouTube on young children and the need to ensure that appropriate content is available for them. It also serves as a reminder that parents should be aware of the content their children are accessing on YouTube and take steps to ensure that it is age-appropriate.

Boys aged 12-15 are more likely than girls to play video games, with 90% of boys and 73% of girls reporting that they play games.

This statistic is significant in the context of Children’s Media Use Statistics as it highlights the gender disparity in video game usage. It demonstrates that boys are more likely to engage in video gaming than girls, suggesting that there may be a need to create more gender-inclusive gaming experiences. Additionally, this statistic could be used to inform the development of educational and recreational video games that are tailored to the interests of both boys and girls.

45% of children aged 8-12 have watched a video on Amazon Prime or Netflix on a mobile device.

This statistic is a telling indication of the prevalence of mobile device usage among children aged 8-12. It highlights the fact that streaming services such as Amazon Prime and Netflix are becoming increasingly popular among this age group, and that mobile devices are the preferred platform for accessing these services. This is an important insight for parents and educators, as it provides a better understanding of how children are engaging with media and the potential implications of this.

67% of teens aged 13-18 say they use social media to stay connected with friends.

This statistic is a powerful indicator of the importance of social media in the lives of teens aged 13-18. It demonstrates that social media is a primary means of communication and connection for this age group, and is thus an essential part of their lives. This information is important to consider when discussing children’s media use, as it provides insight into the ways in which teens are engaging with media and technology.

On average, children aged 8-12 use 3.1 devices to access the internet.

This statistic is a telling indication of the extent to which children aged 8-12 are engaging with digital media. It highlights the fact that, on average, these children are using multiple devices to access the internet, suggesting that they are increasingly tech-savvy and comfortable with using digital technology. This is an important point to consider when discussing the impact of digital media on children’s lives.

22% of teens aged 13-18 in 2019 say they constantly feel the need to check their devices for updates.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the pervasive influence of technology in the lives of today’s youth. It speaks to the power of digital media to shape the behavior of young people, and the need for parents and educators to be aware of the potential risks associated with excessive device use. It also highlights the importance of teaching children healthy media habits and helping them to develop a balanced relationship with technology.

75% of 6- to 17-year-old children in the US watch video content on YouTube.

This statistic is a powerful indicator of the influence YouTube has on the media consumption habits of 6- to 17-year-olds in the US. It highlights the importance of YouTube as a platform for children to access video content, and the need for parents and educators to be aware of the content their children are viewing.

51% of children aged 9-16 encounter sexual images online, with 27% encountering these images through websites or apps.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the dangers that children face when using the internet. It highlights the prevalence of sexual images online and the ease with which children can access them, whether through websites or apps. It is a worrying indication of the potential risks that children face when using the internet, and serves as a reminder of the importance of parental guidance and monitoring when it comes to children’s media use.

70% of 2- to 4-year-old children in the US use a tablet at least once a week.

This statistic is a telling indication of the prevalence of tablet use among young children in the US. It highlights the fact that technology is becoming increasingly integrated into the lives of even the youngest members of society, and that parents are increasingly turning to tablets as a source of entertainment and education for their children. This statistic is an important reminder of the need to ensure that children are using technology in a safe and responsible manner.

Conclusion

The statistics presented in this blog post demonstrate the prevalence of media use among children. From as young as 3-4 years old, 14% have their own device such as a tablet or games console and 98% of 8-11 year olds are using tablets or smartphones. US children aged 8 to 12 spend an average of 4 hours and 44 minutes per day on screens, while 56% have their own social media profiles or accounts. In 2017, 5-15 year olds spent 15 hours 18 minutes watching TV each week but 2 hours 11 minutes online during the weekdays and 2 hours 9 minutes online on weekends. 34% watch TV programs/films on YouTube, 50% have TVs in their bedrooms by age 0-8; 53%, smartphones by age 11; 83%, YouTube usage; 24%, TikTok daily users; 90%-73%; boys vs girls playing video games respectively 45%; Amazon Prime/Netflix mobile viewers 67%; teens staying connected with friends via social media 80%: devices used for internet access 3.1 81%. Finally 51 % encounter sexual images online through websites/apps & 70 % use tablets at least once a week (2 – 4 yrs).
It is clear that technology has become increasingly integrated into our lives from early childhood onwards – whether it be for entertainment purposes like streaming services or gaming consoles, educational tools such as iPads and laptops, communication platforms like WhatsApp groups amongst peers etc., all these activities require some form of digital literacy which can only come with increased exposure to technology over time . It is therefore important that parents remain vigilant when monitoring how much screen time they allow their kids so that they don’t miss out on other essential developmental milestones due to excessive tech consumption

References

0. – https://www.childwise.co.uk

1. – https://www.statista.com

2. – https://www.nspcc.org.uk

3. – https://www.ec.europa.eu

4. – https://www.childtrends.org

5. – https://www.marketwatch.com

6. – https://www.commonsensemedia.org

7. – https://www.ofcom.org.uk

FAQs

What is the average daily screen time for children?

The average daily screen time for children, aged between 8 to 12 years, is approximately 4.5 hours, while for teens aged 13 to 18, it is around 6.5 hours (excluding screen time for schoolwork).

How has children's media use changed over the years?

Children's media use has increased significantly over the years, partly due to the proliferation of new technologies, such as smartphones and tablets. This has resulted in more screen time, more access to on-demand content, and a greater variety of media options for children to choose from compared to the past.

What is the recommended screen time limit for children, according to pediatric guidelines?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following screen time limits for children - no screen time for children under 18 months (except for video chatting), 1 hour per day for children aged between 2 to 5 years, and the screen time for children aged 6 years and above should be consistent and should not interfere with their sleep, exercise, and other daily activities.

How does excessive media use affect children's cognitive, social, and emotional development?

Excessive media use can have negative effects on children's development, such as reduced attention span, impaired cognitive functioning, difficulties in social interactions, and increased risk of obesity, sleep disturbances, and anxiety or depressive symptoms.

What are some effective strategies for regulating children's media use?

Some effective strategies include setting age-appropriate screen time limits, establishing designated media-free zones and times, actively participating in children's media use by co-viewing and discussing content, encouraging a balance between digital and offline activities, and utilizing parental control tools to restrict access to inappropriate content.

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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