Music recommender systems have a hidden yet significant influence on a children's development, as musical exposure during childhood substantially impacts personality and creative development. Despite this, children remain a neglected and underrepresented demographic in research within this domain.
This study examines the connection between children's favorite artists and mainstream music charts, given the dynamic nature of their musical tastes, which adult data cannot replicate.
Utilizing multi-year listening logs from thousands of children aged 12 to 18, spanning several countries, we investigate the evolution of this relationship as they age, and examine the influence of geography on listening habits compared to age. Our findings suggest that children tend to drift away from the charts as they age, and that in our current globalized world, local trends still remain relevant. With this, we aim to emphasize the importance of incorporating age-related developmental considerations into the design of recommender systems tailored for children.