Young people or seniors on TikTokNetflix, Instagram? You'll be surprised by the results of this study, which reveals who will really be spending the most time on these platforms in 2025.
Whenever we talk about young people or senior citizens on TikTok, Netflix or Instagram, preconceived ideas abound. It's easy to imagine teenagers glued to their smartphones, scrolling endlessly on TikTok or binge-watching the latest Netflix series. But seniors are not to be outdone! A recent study by Arcom, published in 2025, shakes up our certainties. And you'll see that the reality is far more nuanced than expected. Which of the young or the elderly on TikTok, Netflix or Instagram takes the cake in terms of time spent in front of screens? That's what we're going to find out together.
Young and old on TikTok, Netflix, Instagram: very contrasting uses
To understand who consumes these platforms more, whether young or old, on TikTok, Netflix or Instagram, we first need to look at the figures. The Arcom study reveals that 15-24 year-olds spend an average of 5 hours and 21 minutes a day watching videos. Seniors, on the other hand, spend almost 5 hours a day. You'd think the difference would be minimal, but a closer look at the types of content shows a clear disparity.
Young people and seniors on TikTok, Netflix and Instagram clearly don't have the same preferences. Traditional television remains the preserve of seniors, with 4 hours 27 minutes a day spent in front of the small screen. Young people, on the other hand, limit themselves to 1 hour 27 minutes of television a day, preferring online videos and social networks. Whether young people or senior citizens watch TikTok, Netflix or Instagram, their viewing habits are strongly influenced by their generation.
Why young and old on TikTok, Netflix, Instagram behave differently
Young or old on TikTok, Netflix, Instagram are influenced by their relationship to screens and technologies. Young people are digital natives: they've grown up with smartphones, social networking platforms and the Internet. streaming and social networks. For them, consuming content on Netflix or spending time on Instagram is an integral part of their daily lives. According to the study, they spend 1 hour 49 minutes a day on online videos and almost 2 hours on social networks.
Seniors, on the other hand, remain more loyal to traditional television and are gradually discovering the joys of streaming and social networks. Young and old on TikTok, Netflix and Instagram don't have the same level of engagement, but the trend is towards convergence. Seniors now spend 24 minutes a day on online video platforms, and 13 minutes on social networks. These figures are rising year on year, testifying to a real shift in usage.
Young and old on TikTok, Netflix, Instagram: the reign of the smartphone among young people
Young or old on TikTok, Netflix, Instagram use different devices to access their favorite content. For the first time in 2025, the smartphone will overtake the television as the device most present in French households. A veritable revolution that goes a long way to explaining why young people are taking the lead in online content consumption.
Young and old on TikTok, Netflix and Instagram therefore adopt different behaviors: young people largely prefer to use their smartphones to browse Instagram or watch TikTok videos, while older people remain attached to the comfort of the big TV screen. That said, the latter category is beginning to equip themselves with tablets and laptops to explore the world of streaming and social networks.
Young or old on TikTok, Netflix, Instagram: what impact on consumer habits?
Young people and senior citizens on TikTok, Netflix and Instagram are contributing to a profound transformation in platform strategies. Netflix is adapting its offering with short formats and interactive series to capture the attention of young people, who are very fond of dynamic content. Instagram is multiplying real and stories to maintain engagement, while TikTok continues to dominate with its ultra-short videos, perfectly calibrated for young users.
But seniors are not forgotten. More and more content is designed with them in mind: documentaries, classic films repurposed for streaming, or specific communities on Instagram. Young and old alike on TikTok, Netflix and Instagram are seeing their expectations taken into account, offering platforms the opportunity to broaden their audience while strengthening their user retention.
Young people or seniors on TikTok, Netflix, Instagram: towards a convergence of uses?
Young and old on TikTok, Netflix, Instagram may soon find themselves on common ground. With rampant digitalization and the democratization of subscriptions, the gaps are narrowing. 73 % of French people now have at least one paid video offer, with a median budget of 20 euros per month. More and more young people and senior citizens on TikTok, Netflix and Instagram are subscribing to these services to enjoy varied content tailored to their tastes.
One notable fact is the progression of YouTube, used by 47 % of French people every week, with videos of over 30 minutes in length highly appreciated by all age groups. Young and old on TikTok, Netflix and Instagram are therefore tending to converge on similar habits, driven by increasingly hybrid content.
Our opinion
Young and old on TikTok, Netflix and Instagram still have plenty of surprises in store for us in the years to come. While young people still largely dominate in terms of time spent on these platforms, senior citizens are increasingly nipping at their heels. The shift in usage is underway, and there's no doubt that platforms will continue to adapt their offerings to satisfy all generations.
For brands and influencer marketingThese figures are a gold mine. Adapting your campaigns to reach both young and old on TikTok, Netflix and Instagram is becoming essential. And if you want to maximize your impact on these varied audiences, don't forget that ValueYourNetwork, an expert in influencer marketing since 2016, is here to support you. With dozens of successful campaigns on social networks, we can help you create impactful, authentic strategies. Let's discuss it!