The Parent Coaching Institute (PCI) has released the results of a multi-national survey examining screen time, smartphone use, and social media among parents and teens. Conducted by PCI Founder and CEO Gloria DeGaetano and PCI Instructor Christina Gika, the survey included respondents from the United States, Greece, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt, Bahrain, and Jordan. Most parents and teens (ages 11-18) were not related, and all were chosen randomly.
The survey consisted of 24 questions, mostly multiple choice with some open-ended responses. The goal was to assess whether parents and teens share similar perspectives on screen use and, if not, to identify the reasons and potential solutions. DeGaetano and Gika believed that understanding both viewpoints could lead to more effective family digital habits and strategies to empower young people.
DeGaetano noted, "The results were interesting, but not too surprising. They mirrored what we know from over four decades of research. While tech boundaries are absolutely necessary, how they are developed, enforced, and sustained by the parents, along with how the teens perceive parental intent, become crucial factors in determining teens' relationship with technology." Across the data, communication style, parental modeling, perceptions of trust, and collaborative boundary-setting appeared to influence how teens experienced and used technology. The findings indicate that thoughtful parental guidance leads to teens' internal control of their screen use.
Gika added, "What I value most about the findings is that they move the conversation beyond screen time and toward relationship. Our results highlight the importance of trust, communication, and connection in supporting healthy digital habits." DeGaetano emphasized, "When families prioritize connection over control, technology stops being a source of friction and starts being a tool for growth. In the end, the parent-teen bond remains the only truly un-hackable digital safety feature."
A copy of the white paper is available here for parents and professionals working with parents, such as counselors, child care directors, and parent educators. The Parent Coaching Institute, recently featured in an article about parent coaching, offers a year-long online Parent Coach Certification program in affiliation with Southern New Hampshire University. Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Fall Term, with a deadline of September 1. For more information, visit www.ThePCI.org.
