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 Gloria DeGaetano, founder and CEO of PCI, and Christina Gika, a PCI Certified Parent Coach and instructor, the survey included respondents from the United States, Greece, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt, Bahrain, and Jordan. Most parent and teen participants (ages 11-18) were not related, and all were randomly selected.
The survey consisted of 24 questions, including multiple-choice and open-ended items, designed to assess whether parents and teens share similar perspectives on screen use and to identify areas of divergence. DeGaetano and Gika aimed to understand the unique viewpoints of both groups to inform more effective family digital habits and strategies that empower young people.
According to DeGaetano, the results were consistent with decades of research. While tech boundaries are necessary, how they are developed, enforced, and sustained by parents, along with teens' perception of 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 suggest that thoughtful parental guidance leads to teens developing internal control over their screen habits.
Gika emphasized that the results move the conversation beyond screen time and toward relationship dynamics. The findings highlight the importance of trust, communication, and connection in supporting healthy digital habits. She noted that a strong parent-teen relationship remains one of the most powerful influences in a teen's life.
DeGaetano added that when families prioritize connection over control, technology becomes a tool for growth rather than a source of friction. She described the parent-teen bond as the only truly un-hackable digital safety feature. A copy of the white paper is available here for parents and professionals working with families, 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 being accepted for the 2026 Fall Term, with a deadline of September 1. More information is available at www.ThePCI.org.
