Young people are reshaping entertainment, and UCLA’s 2026 Teens and Screens Survey offers fresh insight into what children, teenagers and young adults want to watch. Conducted by the university’s Center for Scholars & Storytellers, the annual study surveyed more than 1,500 participants ages 10 to 24 about movies, television, video games, social media and artificial intelligence.
According to Deadline’s coverage of the survey, the findings challenge assumptions about younger audiences and their entertainment preferences. Rather than focusing exclusively on spectacle or famous personalities, respondents expressed a preference for relatable stories, meaningful relationships and characters who reflect real-life experiences.
The findings matter for parents because entertainment can influence how young people understand friendships, identity and the world around them. Understanding what children gravitate toward can help families make more informed choices about the media they enjoy.
Key Findings: Relatable Stories and Authentic Characters
The official 2026 Teens and Screens report found that young audiences want hopeful stories, close friendships and characters whose lives resemble their own. Nearly 40% preferred casting an unfamiliar actor over a well-known performer, while just 16.8% would choose an influencer.
Representation also matters: 55% wanted to see more neurodivergent characters, although only 22.7% felt existing portrayals were authentic most of the time. These findings suggest young viewers value genuine experiences and diverse perspectives.
YouTube’s Place in Teen Viewing Habits
YouTube’s popularity extends beyond entertainment preferences in the UCLA survey. Separate research from Pew Research Center, reported by U.S. News, found that 76% of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 used YouTube daily, including 17% who said they used it almost constantly.
The UCLA survey also found that 72.9% of respondents considered YouTube a platform capable of telling stories, ranking it ahead of television and movies. Nearly four in five said short-form videos could tell a story, reflecting how young people increasingly encounter narratives across different formats.
For parents, these findings are a reminder to look beyond screen-time totals and consider what children are watching. Discussing favorite creators, checking age-appropriateness and balancing online videos with offline activities can help families encourage healthier media habits.
