An MLN Research study among 7-9 year-old kids found that TV time remains as popular as mobile media consumption.
The prevalence of TV watching still exists because:
Kids think there are more shows they can watch on TV compared to the apps or video content available on their devices.
Parents are more likely to regulate mobile device screen time than TV time.
Family co-viewing is trending again. Following the height of family-targeted TV content in the 90s (think the TGIF line-up: Full House, Family Matters, Step By Step), the pandemic brought a resurgence of content designed to appeal to the whole family who have been using TV as a way to spend time together.
TV watching is more likely to be a passive activity occurring in the background during other activities, whereas time with a device is considered to be a designated activity.