Teenagers are flocking to online video in great numbers, with many preferring to watch videos even over using messaging apps or engaging in social networking.

This finding is among the most notable emerging from a new report published by Think with Google that focuses on 13-17-year-olds and their mobile behavior. The report, conducted in partnership with research company Ipsos, found that video was the number one activity among teens who said they spent more than three hours a day with one particular activity. Specifically, 71% of these respondents selected "watching videos online," as opposed to 52% who used messaging apps and 51% who selected social networking.

Such results could help explain why Facebook and other leading social networks are increasingly focusing on running videos and live streaming. If "heavy user" teens are now spending more time viewing video than doing anything else, more may be likely to follow.

The study also contrasts the mobile behavior patterns of teens and millennials."While millennials were mobile pioneers, teens are mobile natives," the authors note.

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— Alan Breznick, Cable/Video Practice Leader, Light Reading