YouTube is still the top choice for kids in the US when it comes to watching videos. A new report from Precise TV shows that 78% of children aged 2-12 prefer YouTube over other platforms. This is way more than traditional TV, which only 33% of kids in this age group watch regularly. Let’s dive into the details of this report and what it means for everyone.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube leads with 78% of kids’ viewership, twice as much as traditional TV.
- YouTube Shorts are growing fast, with 32% more kids watching them in 2024.
- 48% of kids binge-watch YouTube, a habit that increases as they get older.
- YouTube ads are more effective, with 73% of kids and 45% of parents remembering ads they saw on the platform.
- Content preferences differ by age and gender, like boys liking gaming videos and girls favoring cartoons and music.
YouTube Is the Clear Winner for Kids
YouTube is once again the go-to platform for kids in the US. According to the report, 78% of children aged 2-12 spend most of their screen time on YouTube. This is twice the number of kids who watch traditional TV. YouTube’s popularity stays strong across all ages, but it’s especially high among younger kids. For example, 87% of 2- to 5-year-olds prefer YouTube, while 68% of 10- to 12-year-olds also choose it.
The way kids watch YouTube is also changing. Most kids now use mobile phones to watch videos. About 64% of them use phones, while 59% use tablets. TVs are still popular for watching YouTube, but only 51% of kids use them. Computers and gaming consoles are less common, at 29% and 17%, respectively.
YouTube’s popularity has stayed mostly the same over the last year, dropping just a little from 81% in 2023 to 78% in 2024.
Short Videos Are Getting Bigger
One big change in the report is the rise of short videos, like YouTube Shorts. In 2023, 37% of kids watched Shorts, but in 2024, that number jumped to 49%. That’s a 32% increase! YouTube also made Shorts longer, from 1 minute to 3 minutes, which might be why more kids are watching them.
Shorts are more popular among older kids. For example, 38% of 2- to 5-year-olds watch Shorts, compared to 53% of 6- to 9-year-olds, and 59% of 10- to 12-year-olds. This shows that short videos are here to stay and might keep growing in the future.
Binge-Watching Is Now Normal for Kids
Watching video after video, or binge-watching, is now a common habit for kids on YouTube. The report says 48% of Gen Alpha kids (those born after 2010) binge-watch videos. Younger kids aged 2-5 binge-watch less (46%), but as they get older, this habit increases. For example, 48% of 6- to 9-year-olds and 49% of 10- to 12-year-olds binge-watch content.
Netflix also has high binge-watching rates, especially among older kids. For instance, 53% of 10- to 12-year-olds binge-watch Netflix. Disney+, on the other hand, is more popular with younger kids but less so with older ones.
Ads on YouTube Work Better
YouTube is also the best platform for ads when it comes to kids. The report shows that 73% of kids aged 6 and older remember ads they saw on YouTube. This is way more than other platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
For parents, YouTube ads are also effective. In 2024, 45% of parents said they last saw an ad on YouTube while watching videos with their kids. This is a 20% increase from the previous year. What’s more, 38% of parents bought something for their kids because they saw an ad on YouTube.
What Kids Are Watching on YouTube
The report also looks at what kinds of content kids prefer based on their age and gender.
For boys aged 6 and older, gaming videos are very popular. About 11% of boys in both the 6-9 and 10-12 age groups mainly watch gaming content.
Girls, on the other hand, like different things. Girls aged 6-9 prefer cartoons (12%) and music videos (7%). Older girls aged 10-12 like music videos (8%) and beauty videos (7%).
For the youngest kids aged 2-5, boys like character-driven shows like Bluey (6%), while girls prefer cartoons (7%) and Cocomelon (7%).
When it comes to watching videos with their parents, the top choices for younger kids (2-5) are channels like Cocomelon, Blippi, Bluey, Paw Patrol, and Peppa Pig. For older kids (6-12), MrBeast is the favorite when co-viewing with parents.
What This Means for Brands and Parents
The Precise TV report helps brands and parents understand what kids are watching and how they’re watching it. For brands, YouTube is still the best place to reach kids with ads. For parents, it’s a reminder of how much time kids spend online and how important it is to guide their viewing habits.
The rise of short videos and binge-watching also shows how content is changing. Brands that create short, engaging videos might have more success connecting with younger audiences.
Final Thoughts
YouTube is still the king of kids’ screen time in the US. With 78% of children aged 2-12 watching videos on the platform, it’s clear that YouTube isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The rise of Shorts, binge-watching, and effective ads only add to its popularity. For parents and brands, understanding these trends can help them connect better with Gen Alpha.
As kids spend more time online, it’s important to keep an eye on what they’re watching and how platforms like YouTube are shaping their media habits. For now, YouTube is the top choice, and it’s likely to stay that way for a while.
Let us know in the comments what you think about YouTube’s dominance and how it impacts kids’ screen time!
