Some 51% of children ages 8 and younger now have their own mobile device, up from 45% in 2017, according to new data from Common Sense Media. 

But while average screen time among young children shifted only slightly between 2020 and 2024 — rising just 3 minutes per day —  the ways they're interacting with devices are changing. For instance, more children are using devices for gaming and less for watching television, according to the nonprofit's survey of nearly 1,600 parents of children 8 and younger.

“The report highlights the convergence of early childhood and technology. Screen time is no longer just a mainstay of children's entertainment and education — it's now an integral part of daily activities for many families,” James Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, wrote in the report.

Here are key figures from Common Sense Media’s report on young children’s digital media consumption habits.