The Parent Coaching Institute (PCI) has released the results of a multi-national survey examining screen time, smartphone use, and social media from the perspectives of both parents and teens. Conducted by Gloria DeGaetano, founder and CEO of PCI, and PCI Certified Parent Coach 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 are aligned on screen use and, if not, to understand why and explore solutions. DeGaetano and Gika aimed to highlight how understanding both perspectives can lead to more effective family digital habits and strategies to empower young people.
“The results were interesting, but not too surprising. They mirrored what we know from over four decades of research,” DeGaetano said. “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. Our 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. For me, it reinforces that a strong parent-teen relationship remains one of the most powerful influences in a teen's life.”
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 can be found 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, beginning mid-September, with a deadline of September 1. For more information, visit www.ThePCI.org.
