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 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 several Middle Eastern countries including Egypt, Bahrain, and Jordan. Most parents and teens (ages 11-18) were not related and were chosen randomly.
The survey consisted of 24 questions, with a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended responses. Its goal was to assess whether parents and teens share the same understanding of screen use, and if not, to explore the reasons and potential solutions. DeGaetano and Gika hypothesized that understanding both perspectives could lead to more effective family digital habits and strategies to empower young people.
According to DeGaetano, the results mirrored findings 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," she said. The data indicated that communication style, parental modeling, perceptions of trust, and collaborative boundary-setting significantly influenced how teens experienced and used technology. The findings suggest that thoughtful parental guidance leads to teens' internal control of their screen use.
Gika emphasized that the results move the conversation beyond screen time. "Our results highlight the importance of trust, communication, and connection in supporting healthy digital habits," she said. "For me, it reinforces that a strong parent-teen relationship remains one of the most powerful influences in a teen's life." 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."
A copy of the white paper can be found 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 institute 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. More information is available at www.ThePCI.org.
