A new study found young people spend more time watching video on YouTube and other digital sources than they do on TV because they find the content more enjoyable and relatable, according to a recent survey.

Viewers between the ages of 13 and 24 spend an average of 11.3 hours per week watching free online videos. That is compared to the 8.3 hours per week they spend watching TV programs, according to a study conducted in the fall of 2014 by Hunter Qualitative Research commissioned by digital-media firm Defy Media.

Digital videos make young people "feel good" about themselves, 62 percent of survey respondents answered. Only 40 percent of survey respondents said TV makes them feel good about themselves.

Additionally, young people can relate to digital programming more than television programming. Some 67 percent of those surveyed said they can relate to the content digital media delivers to them, while only 41 percent for TV.

Finally, 66 percent said digital content helps them relax, and only 47 percent said the same thing about TV content.

Young viewers feel more connected with programming on YouTube and similar sources because it feels more real than TV programming Defy Media president Keith Richman said.

"Digital video is not as canned -- it makes millennials feel better about who they are," he said.

Defy Media produces content for YouTube and other digital platforms and is aimed toward younger audiences. The company aims to prove younger audiences prefer its content over television content.

Other studies have shown the same results as Defy's survey: More young people are turning off the TV and instead watching videos online from services like YouTube.

Even YouTube-based stars are becoming more familiar to young people than traditional Hollywood and music stars like Jennifer Lawrence and Katy Perry. According to a Variety survey last summer, Americans aged 13-18 were more influenced by YouTube creators Smosh (produced by Defy Media), The Fine Bros. and PewDiePie.

Defy's study found the same results, younger people were more likely to look up a YouTube star over a Hollywood star. Some 69 percent of those between 13 and 17 said YouTube stars could be successful on TV or in movies.

The power of YouTube can help influence purchases too. About 63 percent of those aged 13-24 said they would buy something recommended by a YouTube personality. Only 48 percent said they would try something recommended by a TV or movie star.

Young people are clicking on things that are shared or liked by their peers, the study shows.

For the study, 1,350 U.S. consumers aged 13-24 were interviewed.

What do you think about young people's viewing habits? Can TV shows lure them back in or will they get their content only digitally? Leave us a comment below and let us know what you think.

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