The Parent Coaching Institute (PCI) has released the results of a multi-national survey examining screen time, smartphone use, and social media habits among parents and teens. Conducted by PCI Founder and CEO Gloria DeGaetano and PCI Certified Parent Coach Christina Gika, the survey included respondents from the United States, Greece, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and several Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt, Bahrain, and Jordan. Parents and teens aged 11 to 18 were randomly selected, with most parent-teen pairs not being related. Each group answered 24 questions, combining multiple-choice and open-ended formats.
The goal was to assess alignment between parents and teens regarding screen use and to identify gaps and potential solutions. DeGaetano and Gika aimed to understand distinct perspectives on technology to foster more effective digital habits and empower young people. DeGaetano noted that the findings mirrored decades of research: while tech boundaries are essential, how they are developed, enforced, and sustained—along with teens' perception of parental intent—are crucial. Across the data, communication style, parental modeling, perceptions of trust, and collaborative boundary-setting appeared to influence teens' technology experiences. The findings suggest that thoughtful parental guidance fosters teens' internal control over screen use.
Gika emphasized that the results move the conversation beyond screen time toward relationship dynamics. "Our results highlight the importance of trust, communication, and connection in supporting healthy digital habits," she said. "For me, it 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 white paper detailing the survey results is available for parents and professionals such as counselors, child care directors, and parent educators at ThePCI.org. 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 for the 2026 Fall Term, beginning mid-September, are due by September 1. More information and application forms are available at www.ThePCI.org.
