Children's Media Lives

Media use and attitudes Media habits (children) Research, statistics and data
Published: 21 May 2026
The Children’s Media Lives project follows, as far as possible, the same group of children aged 8 to 17, conducting in-depth interviews each year to learn about their media habits and attitudes. The research began in 2014 as a way of providing a small-scale, rich, and detailed qualitative complement to Ofcom’s quantitative surveys of media literacy. For this wave, 17 children participated in the study.

It provides insight into the motivations behind media use, the contexts in which it occurs, and the role media plays in the children’s daily lives and domestic circumstances. The project also offers rich detail on how the children’s media habits and attitudes change over time.

Year 12 findings - 21st May 2026

This document provides analysis of the findings from the twelfth wave of Ofcom's Children's Media Lives study.

Childrens Media Lives Summary Report (PDF, 5.2 MB)

Year 11 findings – 7 May 2025

This document provides analysis of the findings from the eleventh year of Ofcom’s Children’s Media Lives study.

Childrens Media Lives 2025 Summary Report (PDF, 6.1 MB)

This document provides analysis of the findings from the ninth year of Ofcom’s Children’s Media Lives study. This research began in 2014 as a way of providing a small-scale, rich and detailed qualitative complement to Ofcom’s quantitative surveys of media literacy.

Children’s Media Lives: Year 9 findings – 29 March 2023 (PDF, 1.5 MB)

This document provides analysis of the findings from the eighth year of Ofcom’s Children’s Media Lives study. This research began in 2014 as a way of providing a small-scale, rich and detailed qualitative complement to Ofcom’s quantitative surveys of media literacy.

Children’s Media Lives: Year 8 findings – 30 March 2022 (PDF, 4.0 MB)

This document provides analysis of the findings from the seventh year of Ofcom’s Children’s Media Lives study. This research began in 2014 as a way of providing a small-scale, rich and detailed qualitative complement to Ofcom’s quantitative surveys of media literacy.

Children’s Media Lives: Year 7 findings – 28 April 2021 (PDF, 4.0 MB)

This report provides analysis of the findings of a Covid-19 specific wave of Ofcom’s Children’s Media Lives study. The research began in 2014 as a way of providing a small-scale, rich and detailed qualitative complement to Ofcom’s quantitative surveys of media literacy.

Children's Media Lives: Life in Lockdown report (PDF, 1.3 MB)

This document provides analysis of the findings from the sixth year of Ofcom’s Children’s Media Lives study. This research began in 2014 as a way of providing a small-scale, rich and detailed qualitative complement to Ofcom’s quantitative surveys of media literacy.

Children's Media Lives: Year 6 findings (PDF, 2.1 MB)

Annex 1: Revealing Reality Ethics and Safeguarding Policy (PDF, 213.4 KB)
Annex 2: Topic guide (PDF, 502.6 KB)
Annex 3: Data capture and stimulus (PDF, 3.8 MB)
Annex 4: Sample specification and screener (PDF, 145.4 KB)

This document provides analysis of the findings from the fifth year of Ofcom’s Children’s Media Lives study. This research began in 2014 as a way of providing a small-scale, rich and detailed qualitative complement to Ofcom’s quantitative surveys of media literacy.

Children's Media Lives: Year 5 findings (PDF, 2.7 MB)

Annex 1 - Discussion Guide (PDF, 664.3 KB)
Annex 2 - Full Data Capture and Stimulus testing (PDF, 2.3 MB)
Annex 3 - Revealing Reality Ethics and Safeguarding Policy (PDF, 202.9 KB)
Annex 4 - Sample Specification (PDF, 222.8 KB)

This document provides analysis of the findings from the fourth year of Ofcom’s Children’s Media Lives study. This research began in 2014 as a way of providing a small-scale, rich and detailed qualitative complement to Ofcom’s quantitative surveys of media literacy.

Children's Media Lives: Year 4 findings (PDF, 1.2 MB)

Annex 1 - Data Collection Guide (PDF, 416.4 KB)
Annex 2 - Full Data Capture (PDF, 2.6 MB)
Annex 3 - Revealing Reality Values and Ethical Policy 2017 (PDF, 209.4 KB)
Annex 4 - Sample Specification (PDF, 222.8 KB)

This document provides analysis of the findings from the third year of Ofcom’s Children’s Media Lives study. This research began in 2014 as a way of providing a small-scale, rich and detailed qualitative complement to Ofcom’s quantitative surveys of media literacy.

Children's Media Lives: Year 3 findings (PDF, 856.9 KB)

Annex 1 - Data Collection Guide (PDF, 650.9 KB)
Annex 2 - Full data capture (PDF, 1.9 MB)
Annex 3 - ESRO Values and Ethical Policy 2016 (PDF, 246.1 KB)
Annex 4 - Sample Specification (PDF, 242.4 KB)

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