Tuning in together: Exploring joint media engagement in the United States through children’s podcasts

Most research on children’s media focuses on audiovisual formats, but little is known about how children and families engage with audio-only media, such as podcasts. This gap is important to address given the rise in podcast popularity and its potential as an accessible, screen-free learning tool for families. Podcasts are easily scalable and can serve as a low-cost, high-quality resource for families with limited means. To explore how families use podcasts, we conducted a virtual, mixed-methods study with 110 caregivers and children aged 4 to 8 living in low-income households. We investigated how families listened to and engaged with publicly available children’s podcasts over a 6-week period, and how podcast design features promoted engagement. Findings from caregiver surveys and in-depth interviews reveal that families easily integrated podcasts into their routines, creating opportunities for shared listening in screen-free contexts. Additionally, findings indicate that certain podcast design features, such as interactive prompts, relatable characters, and serial narratives, helped sustain children’s interest and fostered co-listening and joint media engagement. This engagement included conversations and playful, podcast-related activities that can enhance learning. This study suggests that with intentional design, podcasts have the potential to be a powerful and accessible tool for family engagement.