The Parent Coaching Institute (PCI) has released the results of a multi-national survey examining screen time, smartphone use, and social media from both parent and teen perspectives. Conducted by PCI Founder and CEO Gloria DeGaetano and PCI Instructor Christina Gika, the survey included random respondents from the United States, Greece, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and several Middle Eastern countries including Egypt, Bahrain, and Jordan. Most parent and teen participants (ages 11-18) were not related, allowing for a broad comparison of views.
The survey consisted of 24 questions, mostly multiple choice with some open-ended responses. Its goal was to assess alignment between parents and teens regarding screen use and to identify discrepancies and potential solutions. DeGaetano and Gika hypothesized that understanding both perspectives could lead to more effective family digital habits and strategies to empower young people.
According to DeGaetano, the results were consistent with decades of research. While technological boundaries are essential, how they are developed, enforced, and sustained by parents, along with how teens perceive parental intent, are crucial in shaping teens' relationship with technology. Across the data, communication style, parental modeling, perceptions of trust, and collaborative boundary-setting emerged as key factors influencing teens' screen use. The findings indicate that thoughtful parental guidance fosters teens' internal control over their screen time.
Gika emphasized that the findings shift the conversation from screen time to relationships. The results highlight the importance of trust, communication, and connection in supporting healthy digital habits. For her, this reinforces that a strong parent-teen relationship remains one of the most powerful influences in a teen's life.
DeGaetano added, “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 such as counselors, child care directors, and parent educators.
The Parent Coaching Institute, recognized as an innovative leader in family support, was recently featured in an article about parent coaching. PCI 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.
