Kids’ Media Consumption In Australia Up As Spending Power Rises To A$1.8 Billion

Cartoon Network’s New Generations latest study reveals trends and media habits of Australian kids

  • Kids media consumption has increased
  • TV still the most influential channel for reaching kids with viewing up 8% on last year
  • Twice as many children notice ads on TV compared to social media
  • Kids’ pocket money is up 7% on last year, to A$1.8 billion annually including gift money
  • 86% of kids went online in the past month with a 33% increase in kids watching and posting online videos

SYDNEY (August 16, 2016) – Kids’ media consumption in Australia has increased over the past year, with their total spending power rising to A$1.8 billion annually, Cartoon Network’s annual leading research study into children and parents New Generations 2016 has found.

The report revealed that TV ads are still the most effective for reaching children, with watching TV remaining the top media consumption activity for kids. An impressive 92% of children watched TV in the last month – up 8%, with most tuning in to watch cartoons. The report also highlighted that kids prefer ads that feature comedy and characters, with Captain Risky (Budget Direct) the most liked ad for kids, followed by Unicorn Pooping (Squatty Potty) and McDonald’s.

Three times more kids find ads on TV funny compared to ads on social media and twice as many children notice ads on TV compared to social media. A significant 58% of parents surveyed cited TV as the most influential advertising platform for kids.

David Webb, Director of Research at Turner Asia Pacific, parent company of Cartoon Network and sister-brands Boomerang, POGO and Toonami, commented on the results, saying: “This year, the theme of the study was ‘connecting with kids’ and it was interesting to see that, even as children are creating their own online video content, and despite the popularity of social media, TV ads are still significantly more effective for reaching them. Also, that regardless of the platform, relatable and humorous content generally cuts through and resonates with young audiences – a demographic with considerable purchasing influence.”

The report uncovered a 33% increase in kids watching and posting videos online and a 7% increase in kids’ pocket money, to an average of A$556 a year including gift money. Kids are also well connected, with 86% jumping online in the past month, up 12%.

When it comes to social media, Facebook is still the number one platform for kids, but children spend more time on Snapchat. Almost a third of Snapchat users spend up to an hour and a half on the platform each day, compared to a quarter of Facebook users. The social media usage increases dramatically with age – multiplying by five times as children grow from 7-9 years old to 13 years of age. Parents have the most safety concerns for children with YouTube and Facebook, with kids’ TV channels the most trusted media.

The New Generations report also highlighted key concerns of Australian parents in relation to their kids’ financial futures, revealing that 70% of parents are worried about their kids’ capacity to buy property in the future. This was the primary concern, ahead of their children’s ability to save money (56%), afford university tuition (50%) and support a family/kids of their own (46%).

It surfaced that parents are looking to banks for education on financial literacy, with 42% saying that banks should take the lead on educating children on the topic. This has highlighted an opportunity for financial institutions to attract more customers, with almost half of parents responding that they would be more likely to open an account with a bank that offered educational programs.

The study, now in its 12th year, was released in Sydney today. It surveyed a group of more than 1,000 individuals, comprising children aged 4-14 and their parents, to gain insights into kids’ media habits and trends.

-ENDS-

For media enquiries or interview requests, please contact:

James Moore

Director of Communications, Turner Asia Pacific

+852 3128-3720 / James.Moore@turner.com

About Cartoon Network’s New Generations 2016

New Generations is Cartoon Network’s pioneering and patented kids’ survey to better understand Australian kids’ lifestyle – their values, aspirations, media habits, consumption, pocket money, opinions, preferences and parental influence. Celebrating its 12th edition in Australia, the long established and respected research has interviewed nearly 20,000 child and parent pairs since inception.

About Cartoon Network Asia Pacific

Cartoon Network, the number one kids’ channel in Asia Pacific, offers the best in original animated content including the multi-award-winning global hits Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball and Adventure Time and new comedy We Bare Bears. In 2016, the network welcomes back new series of popular franchises Ben 10 and The Powerpuff Girls. Cartoon Network is available in 31 countries throughout Asia Pacific and is currently seen in more than 88 million pay-TV homes. Internationally, it is seen in 192 countries and over 370 million homes, and is an industry leader with a global offering of the best in award-winning animated entertainment for kids and families, known for putting its fans at the center of everything by applying creative thinking and innovation across multiple platforms. Cartoon Network also reaches millions more through its websites, games and apps, including Cartoon Network Watch and Play and Cartoon Network Anything. Cartoon Network, sister company to Boomerang, POGO and Toonami, is a brand created and distributed by Turner, a Time Warner Company.

About Turner Asia Pacific

Turner Asia Pacific creates and distributes award-winning brands throughout the region, running 63 channels in 14 languages in 37 countries. These include CNN International, CNNj, CNN, HLN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang, POGO, Toonami, World Heritage Channel, Warner TV, Oh!K, TCM Turner Classic Movies, truTV, MondoTV, TABI Channel, and HBO and WB in South Asia. Turner manages the business of Pay- and Free-TV-channels, as well as Internet-based services, and oversees commercial partnerships with various third-party media ventures; it teams with Warner Bros. and HBO to leverage Time Warner’s global reach. Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc. (“Turner Asia Pacific”) is a Time Warner company.

James Moore
Director · Communications · Asia Pacific
Turner International Asia Pacific Limited

36/F Oxford House, Taikoo Place, 979 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
T: +852 3128 3720   M: +852 6323 7550

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