In 2023 more than 60 percent of the kids use TikTok and 20 percent only used OpenAI

YouTube's introduction of Shorts comes as no surprise. A recent investigation into the online behavior of children aged 4 to 18 revealed a global average daily usage of TikTok's short video platform, with 2023 showing an uptick from the previous year, clocking in at 112 minutes per day compared to 107 minutes. Despite YouTube's continued reign as the largest streaming app for this age group worldwide, children spent a remarkable 60% more of their time on TikTok in the past year. The study, which delves into kids' digital media consumption, also explores their engagement with cutting-edge technologies such as OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Study shows shocking truth about TikTok usage

Comprehensive study draws insights from over 400,000 families and educational institutions across the globe. Qustodio's annual report paints a vivid portrait of children's digital habits and their interaction with technology across both mobile and desktop platforms. It offers in-depth analyses of specific markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Australia, and France. Notably, what sets this dataset apart is its foundation in real-world usage rather than relying on panelist responses. However, it's important to acknowledge that this data may not fully represent the entirety of children's digital media habits, as it primarily encompasses households and schools using Qustodio's parental control software.

This extensive dataset offers valuable insights into overarching trends that shed light on how children of various age groups are embracing technology. In a significant departure, the company ventured into exploring children's interaction with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, for the first time this year.

Kids started using ChatGPT

With ChatGPT's iOS launch in May and its subsequent Android debut in July, Qustodio opted to focus solely on the usage of OpenAI's website. On a global scale, it discovered that nearly one-fifth of children accessed the site last year, ranking it as the 18th most-visited site of the year. In the United States, 18.7% of children visited the site, placing it at 32nd position overall. Surprisingly, Australia boasted the highest adoption rate, with 24% of children visiting the site in 2023.

Kids are entertained by the streaming

In the realm of streaming entertainment, children's screen time surged by an impressive 27% compared to the previous year, even as price increases in certain services seemed to cast a shadow over their viewership statistics. The research revealed a 4% decrease in kids' Netflix consumption in 2023, accompanied by a noteworthy 23% dip in Disney+ usage and a 12% decline in Hulu activity. In contrast, YouTube and its sibling app, YouTube Kids, not only shattered records but defied trends. YouTube Kids experienced a remarkable 14% global growth in daily watch time, reaching an average of 96 minutes per day—a pinnacle that stands as the highest recorded since Qustodio began its data collection journey in 2019. Meanwhile, YouTube itself saw an uptick, clocking in at 70 minutes, up from 67 minutes the previous year.