US media habits have changed with at-home lifestyle according to a recent survey by Edison Research. Moms and Media 2021 builds on The Infinite Dial plus recent data from Edison Research’s new ongoing syndicated measurement of social media, The Social Habit. With both studies conducted during the pandemic, the data shows how media habits have changed as a result of being home. The report showcases how Moms in the US maintain their mobile tendencies and rely on devices and technology to manage the new normal. In addition, it sheds light on how moms view their children’s social media usage in regard to their adjustment of being in a pandemic.
Key survey findings
- Smart speakers have proven themselves as little helpers. Whether it is adding to a grocery list, getting information or even setting an alarm for kids to log back into remote school, smart speakers check those boxes and more. With hands free help, these devices are becoming part of the family. In 2021, 46% of moms reported owning some kind of smart speaker, up from the 33% in 2020.
- The majority of smart speaker moms (58%) own two or more smart speakers. The average number of smart speakers in the home is 2.7. With the ability to place these in multiple locations around the house, mom has coverage even when she is moving from room to room.
- While moving room to room in makeshift, shared workspaces around the house, moms embrace the devices that help smooth the transition and quiet the noise. With a year of video calls and online school at home, earphones are a must. 61% of moms reported owning wireless earphones or headphones.
- Devices are necessary but without the Internet to power them they aren’t nearly as functional. The internet is taking the biggest piece of moms’ media time, with moms in 2021 reporting they spend 4 hours and 16 minutes daily using the internet. That is 23 minutes more than what they reported in 2020.
- Over the last year, children were also adjusting to new habits due to the pandemic. Without in-person school or extracurricular activities, there was limited social interaction for children. The mental health implications of this have been in the spotlight and a big driver of getting kids back to in-person school where possible. Social media moms look to social media to help with this for their children. Half of social media moms agree that social media is helping their children cope during the pandemic.
To download a free copy of Moms and Media 2021 go here.
