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Our Methodology
Rigorous proprietary data vetting strips biases and produces superior insights.
Learn More →US Digital Habits by Generation 2026
Gen Alpha Goes Digital and Gen Z Teens Champion TikTok
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Gen Alphas are shifting from family devices to their own digital worlds
TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram dominate Gen Zers’ attention—but not their entire digital world
Millennials’ digital engagement reflects breadth rather than intensity
Gen Xers are (slightly) expanding their digital comfort zone
Digital buying and video viewing lure baby boomers to try new habits
Sources
Media Gallery
About This Report
YouTube’s established dominance faces new competition from TikTok, long-held digital habits are maturing, and digital video is universal. Our latest forecast data reveals where each age group overindexes, how their time spent is shifting across platforms, and what marketers should prioritize next to stay relevant.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Gen Alphas are shifting from family devices to their own digital worlds
TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram dominate Gen Zers’ attention—but not their entire digital world
Millennials’ digital engagement reflects breadth rather than intensity
Gen Xers are (slightly) expanding their digital comfort zone
Digital buying and video viewing lure baby boomers to try new habits
Sources
Media Gallery
Identify which platforms and digital behaviors define each generation in 2025—and how brands can adapt media and marketing strategies to meet shifting audience preferences in 2026.
Key Question: Which digital platforms offer the greatest opportunities for reaching and influencing each generation?
Key Stat: Social media users ages 18 to 24 spend 59 minutes daily on YouTube versus 58 minutes on TikTok, while teens spend more time on TikTok than on YouTube.
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authors
Paola Flores-Marquez
Contributors
- Ethan Cramer-Flood
- Suzy Davidkhanian
- VP, Content
- Zach Goldner
- Senior Forecasting Analyst
- Brian Lau
- Senior Forecasting Analyst
- Na Li
- Director, Primary Research
- Oscar Orozco
- Senior Director, Forecasting
- Jennifer Pearson
- VP, Research
- Naomi Rebuelta
- Copy Editor
- Heather Sprung
- Senior Editor
- Emman Velasco
- Chart Editor
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