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 Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt, Bahrain, and Jordan. Parents and teens (ages 11-18) were randomly selected and mostly unrelated. Each group answered 24 questions, with a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended responses.
The goal was to assess whether parents and teens are aligned on screen use, and if not, to explore the reasons and potential solutions. DeGaetano noted that the results mirrored findings from decades of research. "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," she said. The data indicated that communication style, parental modeling, perceptions of trust, and collaborative boundary-setting significantly influenced teens' relationship with technology.
Christina Gika emphasized that the findings shift the conversation from screen time to relationship quality. "Our results highlight the importance of trust, communication, and connection in supporting healthy digital habits. It reinforces that a strong parent-teen relationship remains one of the most powerful influences in a teen's life," she said. 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."
The survey's implications are significant for parents and professionals working with families. A white paper detailing the findings is available here for parents and professionals such as counselors, child care directors, and parent educators. PCI, recognized as an innovative leader in family support, was recently featured in an article about parent coaching.
The 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, beginning mid-September, with a deadline of September 1. For more information or to download an application, visit www.ThePCI.org.
