South Korean Teens Spend Over 3 Hours Daily on Online Video, Short-Form Content Surges
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Seoul, South Korea – A recent survey reveals that South Korean teenagers aged 10-19 dedicate an average of 3.3 hours each day to watching online video content, wiht a notable shift towards short-form videos. The findings, released on January 7, 2026, by the Korea Public Speech promotion foundation, highlight evolving media consumption habits among young people in the country.
Key Findings of the 2025 Youth Media Use Survey
The “2025 Youth Media Use Survey” was conducted by the Korea Public Speech promotion Foundation in collaboration with gallup Korea,polling 2,674 teenagers between June and September of last year. The data indicates a near-universal adoption of online video platforms, with 95.1% of respondents having used them in the past week. The average daily viewing time amounted to 200.6 minutes,approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes [1].
Content Preferences
Teenagers exhibit diverse content preferences,with gaming leading the way at 63.9%. Music, performances, and dance content follow closely at 50.6%, while cooking and “mukbang” (eating broadcast) videos are enjoyed by 40.6% of respondents.
Platform Usage: the Rise of Short-Form video
While YouTube remains a dominant platform with 35.8% usage, Instagram Reels has emerged as the most frequently used platform among South Korean teens, capturing 37.2% of their time. YouTube Shorts (16.5%), TikTok (8%), and Naver Clip (1.3%) also contribute to the growing popularity of short-form video content. This indicates a clear trend away from longer-form videos towards more concise and easily digestible formats.
The survey also examined the use of instant messaging and social media.KakaoTalk and private messaging features on photo-sharing platforms are nearly equally popular (47.3% and 47.2% respectively). Usage patterns differ by age group: primary school students primarily use KakaoTalk (81%), while junior and high school students increasingly favor photo wall private messaging (57.3% and 64.4%, respectively). Photo wall private messaging is the most popular social media activity with an 87.1% usage rate.
Implications and Future Outlook
The shift towards short-form video content reflects a broader trend in digital media consumption, driven by factors such as shorter attention spans and the convenience of mobile devices.This trend has significant implications for content creators and marketers seeking to engage with young audiences. As platforms continue to innovate and introduce new features, understanding these evolving preferences will be crucial for effective communication and outreach. Further research will be needed to assess the long-term effects of these media habits on the cognitive advancement and social interactions of South Korean youth.
Published: 2026/01/07 04:44:31
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