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 survey consisted of 24 questions, with a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended responses.
The study aimed to assess whether parents and teens share the same perspectives on screen use and to identify discrepancies and solutions. DeGaetano noted that the results aligned with four decades of research: while tech boundaries are necessary, how they are developed, enforced, and sustained—along with teens' perception of parental intent—are critical factors. "Across the data, communication style, parental modeling, perceptions of trust, and collaborative boundary-setting appeared to influence how teens experienced and used technology," she said. "Our findings indicate that thoughtful parental guidance leads to teens' internal control of their screen use."
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 stated. DeGaetano added, "When families prioritize connection over control, technology stops being a source of friction and starts being a tool for growth. The parent-teen bond remains the only truly un-hackable digital safety feature."
The full white paper is available 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 institute 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, visit www.ThePCI.org.
