This marks the eleventh wave of our flagship longitudinal research for Ofcom, where we track the ever-evolving landscape of children’s media lives by speaking with the same young people aged 8-17 over the years about their online behaviours and experiences.
This wave, we continued to observe the gradual blurring of boundaries between the online and offline, reshaping how young people live and connect.
What is the impact of the rising phenomenon of ‘brain rot’ – hypnotic, recycled content defined by its addictive quality?
What’s behind the appeal of the ‘glass skin’ aesthetic for children? Are beauty trends starting to mirror social media filters?
And what happens when children turn to AI companions for connection over their real friends?
Our latest Children’s Media Lives research maps a continual shift in how the digital world is reshaping childhood. We’ve produced an interactive summary highlighting the key findings from this year’s report.
