The Pew Research Center survey explores how teens and parents navigate smartphone use, screen time, and its impact on daily life. Here are the key findings:
1. Teens’ Relationship with Phones:
• 95% of teens have access to a smartphone.
• 74% feel happy and 72% feel peaceful without their phone, but 44% experience anxiety.
• 38% of teens believe they spend too much time on their phone, with more girls (44%) than boys (33%) feeling this way.
• 39% have attempted to cut back on social media, but most have not reduced their screen time.
2. Smartphones’ Impact on Youth:
• 70% of teens believe smartphones provide more benefits than harms.
• 69% say they help with hobbies, while only 30% believe they improve social skills.
• More teens say smartphones make friendships easier (40%) than harder (31%), but 42% think they harm social skills.
3. Parenting in the Digital Age:
• 50% of parents admit to checking their teen’s phone; 43% of teens suspect this.
• Younger teens (13-14) are more likely to have their phones monitored (64%) than older teens (41%).
• 38% of both parents and teens frequently argue about phone use.
• Hispanic parents and teens report arguing about screen time more often than White or Black families.
4. Parental Screen Time and Distractions:
• 47% of parents believe they spend too much time on their phones.
• 46% of teens say their parent is sometimes distracted by their phone during conversations, while only 31% of parents admit this.
Overall, while smartphones are seen as beneficial, they also contribute to anxiety, social concerns, and family conflicts over screen time and parental monitoring.