Stat: British Gen Alphas are listening to CDs and vinyl

UK – Nearly half of Generation Alpha are turning to physical music formats, according to new research from Key Production. In the survey of 2,000 parents, 46% said their child or children listen to CDs or vinyl, signalling a cultural shift toward physical media among digital natives and echoing findings from our Teens, Tech and Tapping Out market report.

The study also revealed that only 20% of parents say they prefer their children to use smartphones for music, with the majority leaning toward physical listening experiences that are more intentional and less screen reliant.

At a time when the UK saw its first growth in physical music sales in over 20 years, with a 1.4% uptick in 2024 according to UK record labels association the BPI, this trend reflects deeper shifts in intergenerational attitudes toward tech and media.

In our Future Forecast 2025: Technology report we explore the Dumb Tech Detox, where people are seeking simplified experiences that minimise constant connectivity in.