It's not new knowledge in the sense that teachers have long known that it can be a struggle to get kids to think for themselves and to "have the courage of their convictions". I'd guess that the psychological dynamics that feed this probably transfer to fashion and likes too. The research is briefly presented here:
Peer pressure in preschool children: Children as young as 4 years of age conform their public opinion to the majority: Humans do not only conform to arbitrary fashions but also to majority opinion even when they know better. This conformity plays a crucial role in the acquisition of one's group's behavioural repertoire. We learn group specific behaviour by observing other group members. When confronted with information that stands in conflict with our own beliefs or preferences, we often succumb to the point of view of the majority.
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