How Much Data Do Kids Use?
The short answer: more than you think — and it grows every year. Here's what to expect by age group and activity.
Average monthly data usage by age
| Age group | Typical monthly usage | Main activities |
|---|---|---|
| 8–10 years | 2–5GB | YouTube, games, messaging |
| 11–13 years | 5–15GB | TikTok, YouTube, gaming, school apps |
| 14–16 years | 15–30GB | TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, streaming, gaming |
| 17–18 years | 25–50GB+ | All of the above + video calls, music |
These are estimates for mobile data only. Usage on home Wi-Fi is separate and doesn't count towards the allowance.
What uses the most data?
| Activity | Data per hour | 1hr/day = monthly |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok / Instagram Reels | ~1GB | ~30GB |
| YouTube (HD) | ~1.5GB | ~45GB |
| Netflix / Disney+ (HD) | ~3GB | ~90GB |
| Online gaming | ~600MB | ~18GB |
| Music streaming | ~460MB | ~14GB |
| Browsing / social | ~1GB | ~30GB |
Why kids use more data than adults
- Short-form video (TikTok, Reels) auto-plays continuously — easy to burn through 1GB without noticing
- Games update constantly and sync data in the background
- Kids are less likely to switch to Wi-Fi manually
- School apps and video calls add unexpected usage during the day
How to prevent bill shock
The simplest solution is an unlimited data plan. With unlimited, there are no overage charges and no surprises at the end of the month.
Chattr's unlimited SIM starts at £20/month and gets cheaper over time:
- Months 1–6: £20/month
- Months 7–11: £18/month
- Month 12+: £15/month
Frequently asked questions
A child aged 8–12 typically uses 3–8GB per month. Teenagers use significantly more — often 15–30GB or higher if they stream video daily.
A 10 year old using social apps, YouTube and games could use between 3GB and 10GB per month depending on how much time they spend on mobile data vs Wi-Fi.
10GB may be enough for younger children with limited screen time, but most kids aged 12+ will exceed this. As usage grows year on year, unlimited is the safer long-term choice.