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 primarily focus on restricting young people's access to technology as a solution to the youth mental health crisis. The poll, conducted by Mercury Analytics, found that seven-in-10 registered voters and nearly three-quarters of parents worry that such bans could lead to unintended consequences.
The research, which surveyed 2,000 registered voters nationwide and oversampled parents in California, New York, and Texas, suggests that respondents favor a broader strategy. Instead of concentrating on a single issue like screen time limits, participants expressed greater confidence in solutions that address the many influences on youth mental health, including family support, school environments, community involvement, and responsible technology use.
One parent from California noted, “I don’t necessarily support taking the phones away. It’s like solving a symptom but not necessarily the problem.” Another from New York said, “Speaking from my own experience, I was open with [my parents] about what I was doing. 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.’”
Nearly three out of four respondents agreed that 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 widespread support for digital literacy: 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 (AI).
As AI applications, social media platforms, and digital learning tools become increasingly integrated into daily life, many parents believe education, support, and skill-building may be more effective than bans and outright restrictions alone. Participants pointed to the value of teaching responsible online behavior, critical thinking, and healthy digital habits that can benefit young people throughout their lives. On digital literacy, one Texas parent said, “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.”
The study was conducted in April 2026 in partnership with Mercury Analytics and included a nationwide survey of 2,000 registered voters, oversamples of 600 parents each in California, New York, and Texas, and live conversations with parents across those states. Additional information about the research is available through the Coalition to Empower our Future at this link.
