Gen Z and Gen Alpha prefer YouTube, want more neurodivergent characters, UCLA study finds
2026 Teens and Screens report reveals young people are fascinated by AI and crave authentic representation
A new report from UCLA's Center for Scholars & Storytellers reveals that Gen Z and Gen Alpha are redefining storytelling through platforms like YouTube and TikTok, with 72.9% of young respondents naming YouTube as their favorite medium. The 2026 Teens and Screens report also highlights a strong desire for more neurodivergent characters on screen, with 55% of those surveyed wanting to see such representation, and only 22.7% feeling current portrayals 'ring true to real life.'