Screen time concerns remain widespread among parents. Recent national indicators show majorities of U.S. parents are concerned about teens’ time online and social media effects (Pew Research), and UK monitoring reports high parental concern alongside common use of household rules and controls (Ofcom 2025). Understanding age, content, and timing can help address these concerns effectively and reduce guilt.
Research indicates that screen use affects children differently by developmental stage and context. For adolescents, heavy, late‑night, and socially evaluative use is linked to poorer sleep and mental health markers; consistent device‑free wind‑downs help (U.S. Surgeon General; CDC sleep hygiene). For younger children, major health bodies recommend minimizing sedentary recreational screen time and prioritizing high‑quality, co‑viewed content (WHO; AAP Family Media Plan).
We surveyed 670 parents to gauge their feelings about screen time and its impact on their children. Here are some insights from the survey:
Survey Findings
- A majority (53.7%) of parents expressed feeling guilty about their children’s screen time.
- 46.3% reported no guilt, possibly due to having effective screen time management strategies.
- There was an almost equal distribution of guilt between moms (49%) and dads (51%).
- Current data underscore the need for smart management: about 8 in 10 U.S. high schoolers report 3+ hours per day of recreational screen use on school days (CDC YRBS); U.S. teens average around 4.8 hours per day on social media (Gallup); and U.S. adults spend roughly 7 hours per day online (DataReportal 2025). Recommendations include device‑free bedrooms, a pre‑bed digital curfew, promoting physical activity, and using parental controls (CDC; AAP; FCC).
Majority of American Parents Feel Some Guilt About Kids’ Screen Time, While Others Don’t at All
While over half of parents in our survey reported some guilt, others manage screen use effectively with clear routines and content choices. National indicators underscore the scale of use—U.S. teens spend about 4.8 hours per day on social media (Gallup), and roughly 8 in 10 high schoolers log 3+ hours per day of recreational screen time on school days (CDC YRBS)—reinforcing the value of thoughtful limits for tweens and teens.
To alleviate guilt, focus on core health behaviors: keep devices out of bedrooms and set a pre‑bed “digital sunset” (CDC); co‑create a family media plan and prioritize high‑quality, age‑appropriate content (AAP); ensure daily physical activity and adequate sleep (WHO); and encourage outdoor time for eye health (AAO).
Mothers and Fathers Feel Equally Guilty About Screen Time
Our survey results show an even split between mothers and fathers feeling guilty about their child’s screen time. This aligns with broader monitoring showing high parental concern as children get older, with widespread use of rules and technical controls (Ofcom 2025) and majorities of U.S. parents expressing concern about teens’ time and online experiences (Pew Research).
Single parents and those from lower-income households often face time and resource constraints that make consistent rules harder to sustain, which can increase feelings of guilt. Contributing factors include heavier caregiving loads (BLS ATUS), child care affordability pressures (affordable defined as ≤7% of income; HHS/ACF), the wind‑down of the Affordable Connectivity Program (FCC), and SES differences in parental mediation and children’s media patterns (Ofcom 2025; Common Sense Media).
Screen Time Resources for Parents
The focus on screen time has shifted to emphasize quality over quantity. Parents can utilize resources like the AAP Family Media Plan and the FCC’s parental controls guide to manage screen time effectively. Encourage outdoor activities for better eye health and overall well-being (AAO).
- What Do We Really Know About Kids and Screens? (American Psychological Association)
- Screen Time and the Brain (Harvard Medical School)
- Agonizing Over Screen Time? Follow the Three C’s (New York Times)
- Screen Time and Children (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
Survey Methodology:
We conducted a study with 670 U.S. parents to assess their feelings on children’s screen time. The sample was designed to be broadly representative, with a margin of error of ±4%. Findings from that survey are reported here, and research insights have been updated through 2025.
