Interest in TikTok is not waning. Two years ago, when we wrote about the dominance of TikTok i and the reasons behind this growing popularity, no one could have predicted what would happen in the near future. A boom happened. Not only does the platform count its users in the billions, but it also consistently surpasses YouTube in average minutes of daily viewing among the younger population.
According to new data from parental control software maker Qustodio, people aged 4 to 18 spend as much as 35 minutes longer on TikTok than on YouTube.
Generation Z and Alpha choose Tik Tok
The new data, which was collected at the request of TechCrunch, is based on a tool that tracks the time spent online by children and teens within the 400,000 families who use Qustodio.
Reports show that the global video platform YouTube is losing the race with TikTok more and more every year. Mostly with the Generation Z, people born between 1990 and 2010, and Generation Alpha, e.g., those born between 2010 and 2020.
Globally, in 2021 younger population spent an average of 53 minutes longer on TikTok than they did in 2019, and 16 minutes longer than in 2020 when the platform gained popularity. The largest increase in use is recorded in adolescents and children from the United Kingdom, who spend 32 minutes more on the app within a year.
YouTube Shorts failed to save minutes spent on YouTube
YouTube was created in 2005, and TikTok was created in 2019. Although both platforms are infused with videos, the latter practices those with a shorter duration and vertical format. This is exactly what caused changes in consumer behaviour with all social media that have started copying the mentioned format.
In the case of YouTube, it is YouTube Shorts a short-form video platform that has exceeded 1,5 billion registered users per month which was created in September 2020. This data also takes into account a wider global audience, not just children and teenagers who are no longer as interested in YouTube.
Namely, since the increase in interest in TikTok, younger people ‘rest’ their eyes for eight minutes on the YouTube platform. The biggest change was noticed in Spain, where they watch 13 minutes less video per day on YouTube and 15 minutes longer on TikTok.
Still, statistics show they still watch YouTube more than Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Twitch.
Younger generations prefer shorter content
Although TikTok has gradually introduced a maximum video length of up to ten minutes, in most cases the content is no longer than one minute, and the most viewed are those 15 seconds long. It turned out to be the ideal time to attract viewers and keep their attention.
The app provides a lot of content in a short period of time, which suits the hectic pace of life of younger generations who want to absorb as much information as possible in as little time as possible. In addition, TikTok is easy to use and does not require expensive equipment to make quality material like on YouTube.
It is a platform that allows entertainment, relaxation, but also education. It drives trends at a speed like no other social network, so it’s no wonder that the use of TikTok has continued to grow – especially among the younger population.
Source: TechCrunch
