YouTube overtakes TV for young UK teens

The Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report was based on around 1,300 in-home interviews with parents and children aged 5 to 15. A similar study in 2014 had 25% of this age group opt for YouTube first and 30% for TV. Another recent report has suggested that TV remains the most popular media choice for 16-34 year olds.

The Ofcom report also noted that a small but growing proportion of 12-15 year olds now turn to YouTube for ‘accurate information about serious things going on in the world’ ( 8% compared with 3% in 2014 ).

“The content children are consuming is increasingly curated by digital intermediaries, including providers like YouTube and Google,” the report’s executive summary noted. “As well as attractive sources of content, rivalling traditional broadcasters, they are also seen by some children as legitimating brands, helping to vouchsafe the veracity or trustworthiness of content accessed through their sites.”