Parent Coaching Institute Survey Reveals Parent-Teen Bond Key to Healthy Screen Habits

The Parent Coaching Institute (PCI) has released results from a multi-national survey examining screen time, smartphone use, and social media habits among parents and teens. Conducted by PCI founder Gloria DeGaetano and PCI instructor 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 parent and teen participants (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 primary goal was to assess whether parents and teens share similar perspectives on screen use and to identify discrepancies and potential solutions. DeGaetano and Gika aimed to understand how unique viewpoints on technology could inform more effective family digital habits and empower young people.

According to DeGaetano, the findings were consistent with 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 highlighted that communication style, parental modeling, perceptions of trust, and collaborative boundary-setting significantly influence how teens experience and use technology. “Our findings indicate that thoughtful parental guidance leads to teens' internal control of their screen use,” DeGaetano added.

Gika emphasized the relational aspect of the results. “What I value most about the findings is that they move the conversation beyond screen time and toward relationship. Our results highlight the importance of trust, communication, and connection in supporting healthy digital habits. For me, it reinforces that a strong parent-teen relationship remains one of the most powerful influences in a teen's life,” she said.

DeGaetano concluded, “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 is available for parents and professionals such as counselors, child care directors, and parent educators here.

The Parent Coaching Institute, recognized as an innovative leader in family support, was recently featured in an article about parent coaching. PCI 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, with a deadline of September 1. For more information, visit www.ThePCI.org.