Young people’s habits can change across generations. Thirty years ago, collecting wall posters was fashionable, while today, teenagers aged 14-18 are into online gaming, social media, and streaming platforms. However, Canadians’ preferences periodically evolve, and their daily cravings can expand. Below are trends in Canadian habits over the past five years that have risen in popularity.
Online gambling pastime
Online gambling, as a form of leisure in 2026, has become a prominent part of young people’s habits in Canada, because many users access online sites via smartphones. This makes the authorization process very simple and fast, while playing poker or slots is completely legal in the country. Unpredictable games with numbers or cards are attractive because the result isn’t always clear. Some people perceive it as a way of entertainment, similar to playing online games. Gambling site web operate 24/7, so placing bets is not limited by time or place.
This kind of leisure is spreading due to:
- Access via mobile devices and applications;
- Quick game sessions without complicated rules;
- The influence of social networks on popularity;
- The use of bonuses and promotions;
- The development of online payments and web wallets.
Along with the growth in the popularity of online entertainment, attention is increasing to cost control and responsible behavior. 30% of gamblers are starting to log into casinos more often in their free time, which is changing their habits. In Canada, there is a discussion about the impact of gambling platforms on the younger generation and their attitude towards money. Ease of access and the large number of mobile applications in this area remain important factors.
Use of social media
Social networks have been the main way to spend time in the daily lives of young people in Canada for the past 5-7 years. Teenagers use them to communicate, watch the news, have fun, and find new acquaintances. According to Statista, there were about 32 million active users of social networks in Canada in 2025, which is 83% of the country’s population. Most popular social networks work in the format of short videos and fast content in 2026, which is constantly updated. Instagram or TikTok most of all influence musical tastes, clothing style, and the popularity of various trends among teenagers today.
However, along with the popularity of social networks, the format of communication between people has also changed. Some young people are increasingly choosing correspondence or video communication instead of personal meetings. According to Pew Research, 90% of teenagers regularly use YouTube, while Telegram is starting to overtake Instagram for correspondence. Services for short videos, streams, and online communities by interests remain particularly popular in Canada. Many teenagers use social networks to create their own content and maintain personal pages, although 15 years ago, real meetings and talking on a landline phone were the only ways to communicate.
Computer games
Computer games are the only form of entertainment that has been steadily increasing its fan base over the past 20 years. 85% of teenagers and students spend time playing online games, where they can communicate with friends and compete with other players. Shooters, sports simulators, and open-world online games remain particularly popular. According to the Entertainment Software Association of Canada, more than 23 million Canadians regularly play mobile or PC games.
However, compared to 2000, today there is a much bigger number of paid entertainment. In addition to regular games at home, computer games have become a nice profession, because eSports has begun to bring in a lot of money and attract millions of viewers at international tournaments. Canadians can even bet on their favorite teams through legal casinos.
Main entertainment categories:
- Online shooters and team games;
- NBA and FIFA sports simulators;
- Streaming games on Twitch;
- Esports and online tournaments;
- Mobile games on smartphones.
The computer game market continues to grow actively due to the development of fast internet and the availability of comfortable devices in Canada. Young people often use Discord and other platforms for voice communication during the game. CA users also spend money on in-game purchases, cosmetic items, and battle passes. 90% of popular games are regularly updated, so interest in them remains for years.
Streaming
Teens watch games, sports, podcasts, and talk shows every day on Twitch, YouTube, and Kick. This has replaced traditional television and even some social media. The biggest part of the fans gather for evening streams, where you can watch content and chat at the same time. Canadian students and schoolchildren have also begun to launch their own broadcasts more often due to the availability of smartphones and inexpensive webcams. Some users conduct live broadcasts while playing games, studying, or simply communicating with the audience. The number of young creators who earn from subscriptions in Canada, advertising, and donations during streams is growing. Moreover, streaming in Canada is a profession, as statistics show that there are more than 100,000 registered streamers worldwide.
Filming reels and shorts
Short videos in the format of reels and shorts have become the main type of content among young people in Canada. Most videos last from 15 to 60 seconds and quickly gain views through the algorithms of TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Young people make videos about sports, music, reviewing online casinos through the Casinos Analyzer, everyday life, and popular trends. 50% of users publish 2-3 short videos every day to increase the reach of the page. According to Meta, Reels videos receive 22% more engagement than regular feed posts. The content with hashtags can reach its first 1,000 views within 30-60 minutes of being published on TikTok.
Social media broadcasting
Live broadcasts on Instagram have been available since 2016. However, famous bloggers have been communicating with followers in real time for the past 7 years. By the way, this trend is growing now. Many teenagers from Canada use Instagram Live to talk, share broadcasts, and show their everyday lives. Broadcasts on TikTok have started to gain popularity quickly recently, while streams are promoted through the platform’s algorithms without problems. A CA resident should have at least 1,000 subscribers to start a live broadcast on TikTok. Therefore, young people often try to quickly gain an audience through reels and shorts. Authors broadcast almost every day, receiving gifts, donations, and new subscribers during broadcasts.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. AFP editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.
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