The Parent Coaching Institute (PCI) has released the results of a multi-national survey examining screen time, smartphone use, and social media from both parent and teen perspectives. Conducted by PCI founder Gloria DeGaetano and PCI Certified Parent Coach Christina Gika, the survey included respondents from the United States, Greece, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and several Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt, Bahrain, and Jordan. Parents and teens aged 11 to 18 were randomly selected, and most were not related to each other, ensuring independent viewpoints.
Each survey consisted of 24 questions, with a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended formats. The aim was to assess whether parents and teens share similar views on screen use, identify areas of disagreement, and propose strategies to bridge gaps. DeGaetano and Gika hypothesized that understanding both perspectives could lead to more effective family digital habits and empower young people to use technology responsibly.
According to DeGaetano, the findings align with decades of research. "The results were interesting, but not too surprising. They mirrored what we know from over four 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 in determining teens' relationship with technology." The data consistently showed that communication style, parental modeling, perceptions of trust, and collaborative boundary-setting significantly influenced how teens experienced and used technology. "Our findings indicate that thoughtful parental guidance leads to teens' internal control of their screen use," DeGaetano added.
Christina Gika emphasized the relational aspect of the results. "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 concluded, "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 full white paper is available at this link for parents and professionals such as counselors, child care directors, and parent educators.
The Parent Coaching Institute, recently featured in an article about parent coaching, 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.
