Key stat: YouTube is the top platform for watching creators across every demographic of US children, according to a February report from Precisify.

Beyond the chart:

• The creator-watching habit carries real commercial weight. Some 68% of Gen Alpha parents are more likely to make online purchases based on their children's influence, per DKC.
• Meanwhile, YouTube's hold on this audience runs deeper than creator preferences alone. Two-thirds of Gen Alphas will watch YouTube in 2026, far outpacing Netflix and linear TV, per EMARKETER.

Use this chart: Drop this in your next kids' media or creator partnership meeting to show where children's platform preferences actually land. Use the cross-demographic YouTube dominance to benchmark your content investment, and make the case for why YouTube should lead any creator strategy targeting the under-13 audience.

Related EMARKETER reports:

• Gen Alpha Digital Habits 2026 (EMARKETER subscription required)
• YouTube for Social Media Teams 2026 (EMARKETER subscription required)

Methodology: Data is from the February 2026 Precisify "Precisify Kids Report." 2,000 US children ages 2-12 and their parents were surveyed online during Q4 2025. The survey was fielded by Precisify using their proprietary online panel.

We prepared this article with the assistance of generative AI tools and stand behind its accuracy, quality, and originality.