Linear TV viewing among teenagers has halved since 2015, according to new research by Common Sense.
The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens report found that 24 per cent of teens’ TV viewing takes place on a TV set, down from 48 per cent in 2015.
Over the same period, viewing on mobile devices has jumped from 19 per cent to 36 per cent of all TV time among teens.
The study also showed that lower-income youth spend nearly two more hours with screen entertainment each day than those from higher-income households; a daily average of 5h 49min versus 3h 59min respectively.
“The study shows worrisome indicators as our most vulnerable population – our kids – are spending a lot of time on unregulated, unrated platforms that deliver content that can be inappropriate or even dangerous,” said James P. Steyer, Common Sense founder and CEO.
“The shift from TV to online viewing means kids are often watching content alone, and there are fewer opportunities for shared experiences with family,” he added. “We hope the results of this study help guide families and policymakers in making sure kids thrive in today’s technology-saturated society.”
