Young people enjoy stories in many forms. A 2026 report from the University of California, Los Angeles, looks at the screen habits of more than 1,500 Americans ages 10 to 24. YouTube was the top choice for stories, with 72.9% choosing it.
Almost four out of five said short videos can tell stories too. TikTok came first among social media services, with 64.2% choosing it. Going to the movies was their favorite weekend activity for the third year in a row.
Many young people also want different kinds of characters. A total of 55% wanted more characters whose brains work differently from most people's. Only 22.7% thought screen stories showed these people's lives well most of the time. Young viewers also wanted hopeful stories, friendships, and people with lives like their own.
For 52%, love between couples plays a bigger part in characters' lives than in real life. Views on artificial intelligence, or AI, were mixed: some young people felt excited, while others felt afraid. Overall, interest was stronger than worry. The youngest group, ages 10 to 13, had the most positive views.
