The Real Scoop on Kids and Online Sharing

Internet connections can now be accessed in large areas of the world, and the tech that goes with it—tablets, phones, even smart televisions—is often readily available. These devices are great spaces to explore and play and since the global pandemic forced education to move online in large areas of the world, it is also a familiar space for Gen Alpha (11 years old or younger) to turn to. In 2024, we will see around 36.2 million children in this age group use the internet—around 12 million more than the age group above.

“Overall trends for apps and sites YouTube was the most used online platform among 3-17-year-olds (88%), followed by WhatsApp (55%), TikTok (53%), Snapchat (46%), Instagram (41%) and Facebook (34%).” - Ofcom

In recent years, YouTube has become a firm favourite for younger audiences. Nowadays, it is used much like a google search engine with people watching tutorials on everything from how to style their hair to how to kickflip. Young people are drawn to this step-by-step visual breakdown and it is only to be assumed that the growing interest came from the time spent in 2020-2021 spent socialising predominantly online. One incredible movement has been that young people aren’t just wanting to use these platforms to learn, they also want to create and share their own versions of hacks to help peers learn. The students have literally become the masters.

In this time frame, it was not only learning that turned digital. Social media rocketed. What was already a fast-growing trend machine developed into a primary way to stay connected with friends and family from afar. With new tech developing—and old tech improving—multiple message platforms are now digital must-haves and mean that kids communicate through Bitmojis, video messages, and voice notes.  

We all remember the joy of p...