Small resets for everyday life
— inspired by nature.

Are Kids Watching Too Much YouTube? What New Research Says

Screens are part of everyday life, but many parents are wondering: Are young kids watching too much YouTube? A new 2025 study from the Pew Research Center looked at how families manage screen time for children under 12. The results show a clear trend: kids are using screens earlier, watching more YouTube, and parents are feeling the pressure. Here are the key points.

PSYCHOLOGY INSIGHTS

11/16/20251 min read

a person sitting on a couch using a tablet

1. Kids are starting screens earlier than before

The study surveyed 3,054 parents in 2025.
More than 90% of children have already watched TV, but what’s more surprising:

Even toddlers under age 2 — 4 out of 10 — have used a smartphone.
Many children get access to tablets before preschool.
This shift started during the pandemic years and continues today.

2. YouTube is the number one platform for kids

Parents report that 85% of children watch YouTube.
The increase is especially strong for very young kids:

Toddlers are watching more daily YouTube in 2025 compared to 2020.
Short videos are replacing traditional TV for many families.
For many “pandemic babies,” YouTube has been part of life from the very beginning.

3. Parents are worried — and overwhelmed

Many parents say they struggle to keep screen time balanced.

The study found:

42% of parents feel they could “do a better job” managing screens.
Many also worry about their own phone use and how it influences their kids.
Families say it's difficult to balance screens with sleep, outdoor time, and healthy rhythms.
Screen time isn’t just a kid issue — it affects the whole household.

4. What this means for families today

Kids are growing up in an AI-driven, overstimulated world.
Screens aren't going away, but small resets can help bring balance back.

Here are a few simple ideas:

Short nature breaks
Screen-free moments during meals
A calming evening routine
Gentle habits that support good sleep
Outdoor time after school
Slowing the pace before bedtime
These small changes help reduce overstimulation and support healthier attention and mood — for both kids and parents.

Final thought

You don’t need a perfect plan.
Even one or two small resets each day can make a real difference.

If you’d like more ideas or support finding the right reset for your family,
you’re always welcome to reach out.

Reference

Pew Research Center. (2025, October 8). How parents manage screen time for kids.
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/10/08/how-parents-manage-screen-time-for-kids/