81% of young teens are willing to pay for streaming services.

43% of Gen Z (including young teens) watch 2+ hours of short video daily.

Netflix is dominant (75% weekly), followed by a second tier including Hulu (45%), Disney+, and Amazon Prime (38%).

Popular for peer connection, with 60% using these platforms.

Key for social interaction, with 75% of "fans" identifying as gamers, often engaging in digital media trends . 3. Content Trends & Preferences

Viewers are turning into creators by using 6 Streaming Trends to Watch in 2026 that allow them to remix their favorite shows using AI. 4. Streaming & Long-Form Content (2026)

In 2026, the media landscape for young teens is dominated by short-form video, hyper-personalized AI content, and social gaming. Nearly all teens in this demographic (97%) are online daily, with 90% using YouTube and over 60% engaging with TikTok or Instagram. The "tiny teen" experience is now defined by "prosumer" habits—they are both content consumers and creators, often using AI tools to make their own videos or digital assets.

64% of teens have experimented with AI chatbots, and they are increasingly consuming content from virtual actors and AI-generated influencers.