At YouthBeat^®, we were recently very intrigued by a poll conducted by CivicScience, which revealed that parents are more accepting of their children playing contact sports than eSports. Dads were more comfortable than moms with kids playing eSports, though, in fairness, they were more comfortable with them playing contact sports as well.

At YouthBeat^®, we spend most of our time investigating trends among kids, tweens, and teens.  Every year, we “graduate” a batch of 18-year-olds from our panel, but we don’t stop caring about them.  The oldest members of Generation Z, 18-22 years old, are college-aged now.  It’s a dynamic time of transition, discovery, and experimentation for young adults.  We’re devoting this blog to the special condition of being college-aged in the U.S. today.

We’re proud to release our newest eBook at YouthBeat^®, partnering with our CultureBeat™ colleagues, focusing on the Black teen experience.  Some of our data depict this segment as less advantaged than their Non-Hispanic White and Hispanic counterparts.  At the same time, Black teens exhibit the most civic involvement of any group—heralding their hope for the future.

We’re proud to release our newest eBook at YouthBeat^®, partnering with our CultureBeat™ colleagues, focusing on the Black teen experience.  Some of our data depict this segment as less advantaged than their Non-Hispanic White and Hispanic counterparts.  At the same time, Black teens exhibit the most civic involvement of any group—heralding their hope for the future.

Did you know that at YouthBeat®, we also publish YouthBeat® Jr., focusing on the rhythms of the lives of 2- to 5-year-olds, as reported by their parents? We gather a great deal of data each year about preschool parents’ lives and perspectives, too.

Did you know that at YouthBeat^®, we also publish YouthBeat^® Jr., focusing on the rhythms of the lives of 2- to 5-year-olds, as reported by their parents? We gather a great deal of data each year about preschool parents’ lives and perspectives, too. In this eBook, we explore the changing landscape of family activities, the role of technology in the home (and parents’ concerns about it), shifts in economic and environmental concerns, the still-gendered nature of play, and more. 

As families across the U.S. are wrapping up the weekday barbeques and planning ahead for packed lunches and school open houses, we’re turning our attention to what’s important to know about youth media right now.  Here are three things to keep on your radars:

Sorry, kids, we’re afraid it’s true.  Amazon Prime Day(s) start July 15, and that means parents are looking for bargains to get you out of the swimming pool and back into the schoolhouse.  RetailMeNot released data showing that parents are expecting to spend $507 on all kinds of supplies in 2019—from clothes to electronics and other basic necessities.  That’s up from $465 last year.  And, they’re shopping earlier— 63% of parents in 2019 are planning to shop in July or earlier, vs. 60% who said the same in 2018.