CNN

The CNN/YouTube debate kicks off at 7 p.m. ET.

CHARLESTON, South Carolina (CNN) – Just how many people are turning into YouTube everyday? Last month alone, the company said that people watched 12,000 years of video on its video sharing Web site. YouTube estimates that six hours of video is uploaded every 60 seconds.

Politicians are noticing. Each of the presidential candidates have their own Web pages on YouTube, as they seek to win over a young, tech savvy voting bloc who turn to the Internet as a main source of information. The site has become an inexpensive way for candidates to deliver their messages to a mass audience - giving lesser known White House hopefuls greater exposure as they seek to compete against better funded opponents. The company notes that the approximately 1,200 political videos posted to the site have been viewed 13 million times.

Tonight, it will be the eight Democratic candidates turn to watch the videos. Just about 3,000 video questions have been submitted for the first CNN/YouTube presidential debate taking place at the historic Citadel in the Charleston. CNN's Anderson Cooper will moderate this first-of-its-kind debate that is establishing a new precedent in presidential politics.

– CNN Political Editor Mark Preston