New Guides Synthesize Research on Kids' Screen Time
Two new resources have been released to guide parents on children's media consumption. Springer Nature published an open-access handbook on digital media's effect on child development, while the organization Children and Screens released a free guide translating research into actionable advice for parents of adolescents.
The new screen time guides arrive as today's adolescents spend an average of eight hours a day online, navigating a complex period of development both on and offline. The Children and Screens guide specifically advises parents on how to support adolescent well-being by encouraging media that is actively engaging and socially connecting, while discouraging passive scrolling. It also highlights the importance of keeping devices out of the bedroom at night to ensure quality sleep. For creators, this landscape underscores the importance of validating IP with audiences before major investment. Studios are increasingly testing characters and concepts on platforms where kids spend their time, like YouTube and social media, to gauge traction. This strategy aligns with a broader trend where the majority of new kids' TV shows in the US and Europe are based on pre-existing IP from sources like books and video games to mitigate risk amidst rising production costs. Generative AI is simultaneously lowering the barrier to entry for smaller studios, enabling them to compete with larger players. AI tools are being integrated into animation pipelines to accelerate character design, automate in-between frames, and generate background elements, significantly reducing production time and costs. This allows for more rapid prototyping and iteration on creative concepts before committing to full-scale production. In the acquisition market, strategic buyers are looking for IP with proven audience engagement. The decline in new kids' content commissions from major US streamers—with animated seasons ordered dropping from 152 in 2022 to 99 in 2023—has been coupled with a surge in acquisitions of existing shows. This market shift favors studios with a portfolio of validated IP that has demonstrated appeal on digital platforms. Looking ahead, spatial computing, spearheaded by devices like the Apple Vision Pro, presents a new frontier for immersive storytelling and educational experiences in kids' entertainment. The technology allows for the creation of 3D, interactive content that can blend the digital and physical worlds, opening up new possibilities for how children play, learn, and engage with media.
