About two-thirds of teens say phones make it easier for youth to pursue interests, be creative; fewer think it helps peers learn good social skills

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February 29, 2024

How Teens and Parents Approach Screen Time

About two-thirds of teens say phones make it easier for youth to pursue interests, be creative; fewer think it helps peers learn good social skills

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About two-thirds of teens say phones make it easier for youth to pursue interests, be creative; fewer think it helps peers learn good social skills

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How Teens and Parents Approach Screen Time
About 4 in 10 teens say they spend too much time on their phone
About 4 in 10 teens say they spend too much time on their phone
Teen girls are more likely than boys to say they spend too much time on their phone and social media
Teen girls are more likely than boys to say they spend too much time on their phone and social media
Most teens haven’t cut back on their phone or social media use, but girls are more likely than boys to do so
Most teens haven’t cut back on their phone or social media use, but girls are more likely than boys to do so
Roughly three-quarters of teens at least sometimes feel happy or peaceful when they don’t have their phone; 44% feel anxious
Roughly three-quarters of teens at least sometimes feel happy or peaceful when they don’t have their phone; 44% feel anxious
Most teens say the benefits of smartphones outweigh the harms for people their age
Most teens say the benefits of smartphones outweigh the harms for people their age
About two-thirds of teens say phones make it easier for youth to pursue interests, be creative; fewer think it helps peers learn good social skills
Half of parents look through their teen’s phone; 43% of teens think their parent checks their phone
Half of parents look through their teen’s phone; 43% of teens think their parent checks their phone
About 4 in 10 parents and teens say the time teens spend on their phone regularly leads to arguments
About 4 in 10 parents and teens say the time teens spend on their phone regularly leads to arguments
Most parents say managing how much time their teen is on the phone is a priority
Most parents say managing how much time their teen is on the phone is a priority
Parents with younger teens are more likely to set time limits on phone use
Parents with younger teens are more likely to set time limits on phone use
Higher-income parents are more likely to say it’s hard to manage how much time their teen is on the phone
Higher-income parents are more likely to say it’s hard to manage how much time their teen is on the phone
Roughly half of parents say they spend too much time on their phone, but this varies by income
Roughly half of parents say they spend too much time on their phone, but this varies by income
Nearly half of teens say their parent at least sometimes gets distracted by their phone in conversations; fewer parents see it this way
Nearly half of teens say their parent at least sometimes gets distracted by their phone in conversations; fewer parents see it this way
Most teens haven’t cut back on their phone or social media use, but girls are more likely than boys to do so
Most teens haven’t cut back on their phone or social media use, but girls are more likely than boys to do so
(FG Trade/Getty Images)
(FG Trade/Getty Images)

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ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

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