A new Deloitte survey shows that the internet is changing how young people communicate and seek entertainment.
Key Details
- 50% of young consumers below the age of 40 say online experiences are a meaningful replacement for experiences in person, up from 19% of previous generations.
- 48% of young consumers interact with others on social media more than in real life.
- 30% of young consumers consider television an enjoyable activity, compared to 55% of previous generations. 19% prefer video games, 16% prefer music, and 19% prefer online content.
- Young consumers say they feel very connected to communities through video games and online content.
- 88% of millennials are highly engaged with streaming subscriptions.
Why It’s Important
Young people are at the forefront of technology and social change and have endured many of the harshest effects of modern challenges and social evolutions. This has left the millennial and Gen Z generations well-suited to new changes, adapting the internet and technology into their lives in a more integrated way than prior generations.
This has not meant that new technologies have been universally accepted. As we previously reported, young tech-savvy consumers are not embracing the Metaverse and virtual reality technologies as quickly as Meta has expected, and the prevalence of digital streaming has faced challenges as subscription services falter and movie theaters see higher box office returns.
Deloitte’s survey did find that young people’s tastes and preferences are changing. Millennials and Gen Zers have a more interconnected approach to technology, enjoying social connections and immersion in their entertainment and social experiences. YouTube, TikTok, and other user-generated social media platforms have become a major market share in young people’s consumption.
Notable Quotes
“People have more choices and seem to be dividing their digital entertainment options more evenly based on the kinds of value they offer. For many, digital media is not just entertaining but can also offer utility, foster community, and support emotional needs,” says Deloitte.
“Generation Z is the first generation to grow up with smartphones, social media, and always-on access to the internet. Their brains and behaviors are being shaped equally by the physical and digital worlds, further invoking the nascent metaverse. They may hold the keys to the future of media and entertainment: It’s likely that their behaviors are an early glimpse of connected and immersed generations that follow them.”