A new national survey commissioned by the Coalition to Empower our Future (CEF) indicates that a majority of parents and registered voters are skeptical of policies that focus solely on restricting young people's access to smartphones and social media to address the youth mental health crisis. According to the poll, seven in ten registered voters and nearly three-quarters of parents worry that such bans could lead to unintended consequences. Instead, respondents expressed stronger support for broader solutions that address multiple influences on youth wellbeing.
The research, conducted by Mercury Analytics, included a nationwide survey of 2,000 registered voters, expanded polling among parents in California, New York and Texas, and focus group discussions. Many parents said that simply taking away technology fails to tackle deeper mental health issues and may leave young people ill-equipped to use digital tools responsibly as they grow. One California parent noted, "I don't necessarily support taking the phones away. It's like solving a symptom but not necessarily the problem." A parent from New York added, "Bans, with no questions asked, are not a good solution because it'll be like 'okay, I'm not allowed to do this, so now I have more of an inclination to do this.'"
The survey found that nearly three out of four respondents believe improving youth wellbeing requires collaboration among parents, educators, healthcare professionals, community organizations and policymakers, rather than relying on a single policy solution. The findings also highlighted strong support for digital literacy education: more than 80 percent of voters and almost 90 percent of parents agreed that children and teens should receive instruction on how to safely and responsibly use emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. Respondents emphasized equipping parents with guidance and resources to help their children make informed online decisions.
As AI applications and digital tools become more integrated into daily life, many parents view education and skill-building as more effective than outright bans. A Texas parent stated, "I think kids are technologically savvy, but not digitally literate. A lot of them are unable to use higher-order thinking skills to understand what they are watching or experiencing." Overall, the research suggests that youth mental health is a complex issue shaped by family support, school environments, community involvement and responsible technology use. Balanced solutions that combine mental health services, digital literacy education, parental engagement and community support were widely favored.
The study was conducted in April 2026 in partnership with Mercury Analytics. Additional information is available through the Coalition to Empower our Future at this link.
