Study: KidSay Finds 74% of Tweens and Teens Use Favorite Devices More Often Due to Social Distancing

For Immediate Release

OLATHE, KANSAS – JULY 31, 2020 – 74% of tweens and teens say they are using their favorite devices more often. The findings come from the new report, “Devices and Digital Engagement: The Impact of COVID-19 (so far) on the Device Usage of Kids, Tweens, and Teens” from research firm KidSay. This increased usage coincides with increases in smartphone ownership as 27% of kids ages 5 -7, 57% of tweens (ages 8-11), and 93% of teens (ages 12-15) now have their own smartphone.

The increase in smartphone ownership by 5-to-7-year-olds is particularly pronounced. It has nearly tripled from 2017. (2017 – 10% 2020 – 27%) Smartphone owners represent only a fraction of the kids this age who use a smartphone as 74% of them self-report that they use one.

KidSay’s report, taken from a series of nationwide surveys of more than 1,300 kids ages five to fifteen, highlights their pre-COVID device usage and the life-altering changes wrought by COVID social distancing requirements.

Terence Burke, KidSay’s SVP of Research, explains, “When friends, and the social structures that put them in contact with their friends (school, sports, clubs, etc), are removed from kids’ lives, kids are left to their own devices – literally. This creates an opportunity for brands and platforms to help kids connect in virtual spaces.”

Burke concludes, “With the school calendar still in flux, many kids will continue to have an unprecedented amount of free time this fall. Expect kids’ increased digital engagement during COVID to impact both their device usage frequency and duration of use, from now through 2021.”

A full copy of the report can be found on KidSay’s website.

KidSay is the leader in youth market research, trend reporting, and strategic consulting for brands seeking to understand and engage kids, tweens, teens, and families. Their syndicated trend reporting utilizes KidSay’s nationwide network of schools to directly connect to the behaviors, values, and aspirations of real youth. Each year KidSay fields seven syndicated trend studies with young kids ages 5-7, tweens, and teens ages 8-15 and moms of kids ages 5-7 with a total annual sample of 6000+ respondents.

CONTACT
Ryan Scofield
ryans@kidsay.com
(913) 390-8110
804 N Meadowbrook Dr., Suite 116
Olathe KS 66062

###