The trend of using subtitles or closed captioning while watching TV, once viewed as primarily for the hearing impaired or elderly, has become popular among Millennials and Gen Z. Studies show that over half of these younger generations prefer watching with captions on streaming platforms. This shift is attributed to the prevalence of captions on social media sites like TikTok and Instagram. Kelly Gibson, a Gen X mother, was surprised to learn that her Millennial and Gen Z daughters preferred watching TV with captions. They explained that subtitles help them follow the dialogue better, even if there are distractions or background noise. Gibson’s video on the topic, which garnered over 400,000 views, sparked a discussion about the pros and cons of captions.
