Travis Kelce Says He and Taylor Swift Never Argue, But Here's a Case for Arguing With Your Spouse
Every parent knows the familiar scene: you walk into the living room and there's a toddler scrolling YouTube, a 7-year-old playing on a tablet, and a tween sneaking extra minutes on a smartphone under the covers. But a Pew Research survey reveals something deeper than we suspected, and it's not just about the minutes on the clock. It's about the complicated emotions parents have around screens. Those feelings? Guilt, uncertainty, and even (thank goodness!) solidarity.
The report surveyed over 3,000 U.S. parents of children ages 12 and younger in May 2025. The ubiquity of screens in kids' lives isn't just a gut feeling, it's now a number:
Even AI chatbots and voice assistants are part of the mix for some families. And strikingly, even children under age 2 are part of this digital landscape with huge shares of parents saying their little ones watch screens, especially YouTube.
For many families, screens are not just entertainment. They're tools for learning, calming meltdowns, or just keeping everyone sane for five minutes. But therein lies the rub.
One of the most relatable findings from the study is that almost 42% of parents say they could be doing a better job managing their kid's screen time. That's nearly half of all moms and dads admitting, honestly, that they're scrambling to find the right balance. (Anyone else feel a sense of relief that you're not alone? I know I do.)
So this isn't a judgment. It's a confession. "I thought I was the only one who felt like screens were winning," one parent told Pew researchers in focus groups. Another shared that screens sometimes feel like the only thing that buys a few minutes of peace. Like them, I feel like I am allowing screen time reluctantly and with a hint of shame.
Most parents will say managing screen time is a priority. However, when asked what matters most day-to-day, screens (like limiting it) often take a back seat to sleep, manners, and physical activity. Many parents juggle screen rules alongside homework, bedtime rituals, sports, chores, and life itself, too. It's messy. There's a lot going on. And sometimes, you just can't even prioritize being more mindful about it because, truly, you're just trying to survive the day.
Some revealing patterns fro the study include:
Clearly, we're struggling with the "giving the screen time," but wishing you didn't. The complexity is also this: wanting connection, calm, education, and growth, while also fearing overstimulation, distraction, or harm. It is part of the modern parenting paradox we all juggle daily.
One of the most striking aspects of the Pew survey (I'm happy to report!) is how parents across the political spectrum agreed on the need for more action from tech companies and even lawmakers. About two-thirds of parents (67%) want tech platforms to do more to protect kids online, and 55% want policymakers to step in too.
In other words, this isn't just a suburban anxiety among latte-sipping parents. It's a shared challenge that spans communities and backgrounds.
Here are some other truths that emerged from the data that we want to tell every parent, and remind them before every tantrum, negotiation, or fight over "five more minutes" of phone or iPad time:
If you've ever wondered whether other parents feel the same after putting your kid in front of Peppa Pig so you can finish your coffee, you're in good company. This study doesn't give a perfect rulebook Nothing could, nothing should. Screen time isn't a one-size-fits-all thing. But what is clear is that today's parents are navigating screen time with honesty, humility, and a whole lot of love -- even on the toughest days. We see you.