: Nearly 80% of teens watch traditional TV and movies through social platforms like YouTube or TikTok rather than standard cable or standalone streaming apps. 3. Content Preferences: What "Moves" Teens

Recent research from the UCLA Center for Scholars & Storytellers and Greater Good Berkeley identifies a significant shift in desired narratives: What Stories Do Teens Want to See in Movies and TV?

Teens average approximately on entertainment media. The "moves" in how they consume this content are defined by:

Modern teenagers are increasingly moving away from traditional media formats in favor of creator-led ecosystems and interactive content. By 2026, short-form video has become the primary mode of consumption, though long-form narrative content is seeing a strategic comeback. Authentic, relatable storytelling that avoids tired stereotypes is now the highest priority for this demographic.

: TikTok is projected to dominate daily time spent by teens in 2026 (averaging 1 hour 18 minutes), while YouTube maintains the highest overall reach at 94.1%.