Understanding Media Use Among Children Aged 3–17:
Key Insights from Ofcom’s 2025 children & parents: media use & attitudes report 2025
Children’s engagement with digital platforms continues to grow, with 89% of 3–17-year-olds playing games online and 81% regularly watching YouTube. Social media usage among younger children is rising, despite age restrictions, with 40% of children under 13 having a social media profile.
Age-Based Trends
Despite age restrictions, 40% of children under 13 have a social media profile.
Parental Concerns: Balancing Safety and Engagement
Parents are increasingly concerned about their children’s digital habits. 74% of parents of 3–5-year-olds worry about excessive screen time, while 68% fear exposure to age-inappropriate content. Among parents of older children, concerns shift toward misinformation and online safety.
A growing number of children aged 3–5 are using social media platforms. In 2024, 37% of parents reported that their child in this age group used at least one social media app or site, up from 29% the previous year. While many parents co-use or manage these accounts, 19% of children in this group are reported to use them independently.
Key Parental Worries
Shaping the Future of Digital Media
While digital engagement provides educational and social benefits, the increasing online presence of children calls for ongoing parental guidance and safety measures. With 82% of parents of 3–5-year-olds actively monitoring their child’s online activity, efforts to improve digital literacy remain a priority.
As children’s digital habits continue to evolve, striking a balance between screen time, safety, and positive engagement will shape the future of media consumption.
Age-Based Trends
- 3–5-year-olds: 72% use tablets as their primary device, and 56% engage with educational content
- 6–7-year-olds: 65% play online games, and 12% have a social media profile.
- 8–9-year-olds: 78% play games online, and 14% have a social media profile
- 10–12-year-olds: 79% of parents worry about excessive screen time, and 40% of children have a social media profile.
- 13–15-year-olds: 67% actively use social media, with TikTok and Instagram being the most popular.
- 16–17-year-olds: 94% use smartphones as their primary device, and 88% regularly engage with video content.
Despite age restrictions, 40% of children under 13 have a social media profile.
Parental Concerns: Balancing Safety and Engagement
Parents are increasingly concerned about their children’s digital habits. 74% of parents of 3–5-year-olds worry about excessive screen time, while 68% fear exposure to age-inappropriate content. Among parents of older children, concerns shift toward misinformation and online safety.
A growing number of children aged 3–5 are using social media platforms. In 2024, 37% of parents reported that their child in this age group used at least one social media app or site, up from 29% the previous year. While many parents co-use or manage these accounts, 19% of children in this group are reported to use them independently.
Key Parental Worries
- Screen Time: 79% of parents of 10–12-year-olds worry about excessive screen times
- Social Media Exposure: 76% of parents fear their child may struggle to distinguish between real and false information online.
- Online Safety: 92% of children aged 8–17 recall receiving at least one lesson on online safety, but only 45% find them “very useful”.
Shaping the Future of Digital Media
While digital engagement provides educational and social benefits, the increasing online presence of children calls for ongoing parental guidance and safety measures. With 82% of parents of 3–5-year-olds actively monitoring their child’s online activity, efforts to improve digital literacy remain a priority.
As children’s digital habits continue to evolve, striking a balance between screen time, safety, and positive engagement will shape the future of media consumption.
