TechCrunch Live: Roblox, SuperAwesome, and Fingerprint executives discuss the state of kids media

TL;DR

The COVID-19 crisis has led to significant changes in the kids digital media industry, including increased engagement, shifts in content consumption, and the rise of shared digital experiences. The future may bring more virtual events, bundled services, and a focus on family digital privacy.

Transcript

um well welcome everyone to this TechCrunch live discussion about the state of kids digital media i'm techCrunch's media columnist eric Peckham and I'm joined by three of the top business leaders in this space we have Craig Donato chief business officer of roblox roebucks is a platform for users to build and play games has over 120 million monthly ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔉 The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated existing trends in the kids digital media industry, such as the shift towards social gaming experiences and the recognition of kids as a significant digital audience.
• 🥺 The crisis has led to increased engagement and changes in content consumption, with a greater emphasis on shared digital experiences and virtual events.
• 🥶 Companies are adapting to the crisis by providing free content, but may need to consider new monetization models in the future.
• 🥺 Data privacy regulations, like COPPA and GDPR, have led to a greater focus on compliance and parental consent, with potential expansion into family digital privacy laws.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has the COVID-19 crisis affected kids media platforms in terms of usage and behavior changes?

The crisis has caused a surge in usage, with more kids spending time on screens. There has been a shift in peak usage hours, and kids are consuming more entertainment content rather than learning-focused content.

Q: What changes are expected to stay even after the crisis ends?

The crisis has accelerated the trend of shared digital experiences and virtual events. The popularity of online movies and pay-per-view events may continue, and there may be more bundling of services and platforms.

Q: How are companies in the kids media space dealing with data privacy regulations?

Companies are focusing on compliance with data privacy laws, which restrict the collection of personal data from kids without parental consent. They are implementing parental controls and consent mechanisms, and there may be a shift towards passive revenue monetization models to ensure compliance.

Q: Is there a focus on limiting screen time for kids, and how is this changing?

There is a recognition that all screen time is not equal, with different purposes such as socializing, entertainment, and education. There is a need for nuanced conversations about screen time, and parents may adopt more self-regulation practices for their kids.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The kids media space has seen two major changes in recent years, including the evolution of social gaming experiences and the recognition of kids as a significant digital audience.

• The COVID-19 crisis has caused a surge in usage and engagement for kids media platforms, with changes in peak usage hours and a shift towards entertainment content.

• Companies have adapted to the crisis by providing educational and kids content for free, but may need to consider new monetization models in the future.

• Digital platforms have become spaces for shared experiences, with kids organizing virtual recesses and events, leading to potential changes in content consumption and the displacement of traditional cinema experiences.

• Data privacy laws, such as COPPA and GDPR, have led to a greater focus on compliance and the need for parental consent, which may expand into family digital privacy laws.