A new poll from TODAY and SurveyMonkey shows that nearly eight in 10 parents of school-age children say they've tried to limit the time their children spend on their phones or other mobile devices, and nearly three in 10 single out social media as the top source of stress or mental health issues in children. Some key stats:
- Overall, 78% of all adults and 76% of parents say social media has a negative impact on the mental and emotional health of children
- 79% of parents have ever tried to limit the time their children spend on their phones or other mobile devices
- 29% of parents single out social media as the factor that contributes most to mental or emotional health issues in children, more than name bullying, stress, loneliness, parental pressure or any other stressor
- Most parents (58%) say they "rarely" or "never" find themselves paying more attention to their phone when they are with their children
- If their child were experiencing mental health issues, 55% of parents believe they would turn to them, and 13% believe they would turn to another family member
How concerned are you about the amount of time you spend on your phone or other mobile devices?
Gender Answer Total Male Female Unweighted N 4,969 2,458 2,511 Very concerned 10%10%9%Somewhat concerned 27%27%28%Not very concerned 37%38%37%Not at all concerned 24%24%25%No answer 1%1%1%Question wording: How concerned are you about the amount of time you spend on your phone or other mobile devices?Survey dates: –What is the main way that you communicate with immediate family members?
Gender Answer Total Male Female Unweighted N 4,969 2,458 2,511 Call on the phone 39%39%39%Send a text message 27%24%29%Talk in person 28%32%24%Through social media (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat) 6%4%7%No answer 1%1%1%Question wording: What is the main way that you communicate with immediate family members?Survey dates: –When eating meals with family and friends, how often do you look at your phone or other mobile device?
Gender Answer Total Male Female Unweighted N 4,969 2,458 2,511 Always 4%4%4%Often 10%10%10%Sometimes 50%52%49%Never 34%33%35%No answer 1%1%1%Question wording: When eating meals with family and friends, how often do you look at your phone or other mobile device?Survey dates: –Which of the following do you think contributes most to mental or emotional health issues in children?
Gender Answer Total Male Female Unweighted N 4,969 2,458 2,511 Stress 17%16%17%Bullying 21%17%25%Pressure from parents 7%8%6%Pressure from teachers, coaches, etc. 3%2%3%Alienation or loneliness 15%16%14%Competition with peers 6%6%6%Social media 29%33%26%No answer 2%2%2%Question wording: Which of the following do you think contributes most to mental or emotional health issues in children?Survey dates: –Overall, would you say social media has a positive or negative impact on the mental and emotional health of children?
Gender Answer Total Male Female Unweighted N 4,969 2,458 2,511 Very positive 5%5%6%Somewhat positive 15%15%15%Somewhat negative 50%49%51%Very negative 28%29%27%No answer 2%2%2%Question wording: Overall, would you say social media has a positive or negative impact on the mental and emotional health of children?Survey dates: –Do you have any children age 5 to 17?
Gender Answer Total Male Female Unweighted N 4,969 2,458 2,511 Yes 27%26%28%No 71%73%70%No answer 1%1%2%Question wording: Do you have any children age 5 to 17?Survey dates: –When you are with your child/children, how often do you find yourself paying more attention to your phone or mobile device than to them?
Gender Answer Total Male Female Unweighted N 1,278 612 666 Often 9%7%11%Sometimes 32%33%32%Rarely 43%42%44%Never 15%17%13%No answer 1%1%1%Question wording: When you are with your child/children, how often do you find yourself paying more attention to your phone or mobile device than to them?Survey dates: –How often does your child talk to you about their day?
Gender Answer Total Male Female Unweighted N 1,278 612 666 Almost everyday 76%66%85%At least once a week 14%18%10%Less than once a week 4%7%2%Almost never 5%7%3%No answer 1%2%1%Question wording: How often does your child talk to you about their day?Survey dates: –How much time does your child spend using their phone or other mobile devices?
Gender Answer Total Male Female Unweighted N 1,278 612 666 A lot 46%47%45%A little 22%23%21%Some 24%22%26%None at all 7%7%7%No answer 1%1%1%Question wording: How much time does your child spend using their phone or other mobile devices?Survey dates: –Would you say your child interacts with other children more often online or in person?
Gender Answer Total Male Female Unweighted N 1,278 612 666 Online 30%30%29%In person 68%68%69%No answer 2%2%2%Question wording: Would you say your child interacts with other children more often online or in person?Survey dates: –How much does your child’s phone or mobile device usage affect their relationships with others?
Gender Answer Total Male Female Unweighted N 1,278 612 666 A lot 14%16%12%A little 23%23%24%Some 24%27%22%Not at all 37%33%41%No answer 2%2%1%Question wording: How much does your child’s phone or mobile device usage affect their relationships with others?Survey dates: –Have you ever tried to limit the time your child spends on their phone or other mobile devices?
Gender Answer Total Male Female Unweighted N 1,278 612 666 Yes 79%77%80%No 20%21%18%No answer 2%2%2%Question wording: Have you ever tried to limit the time your child spends on their phone or other mobile devices?Survey dates: –If your child were experiencing mental health issues, who do you think they would most likely turn to for help?
Gender Answer Total Male Female Unweighted N 1,278 612 666 You 55%52%57%Other family member 13%17%8%Friend 9%7%11%Therapist 9%9%8%Not turn to anyone 6%6%5%Doctor 5%5%4%Teacher or school counselor 3%2%4%Coach 1%1%1%No answer 1%2%1%Question wording: If your child were experiencing mental health issues, who do you think they would most likely turn to for help?Survey dates: –
Read more about our polling methodology here.
Click through all the results in the interactive toplines below:
Question text:
How concerned are you about the amount of time you spend on your phone or other mobile devices?
What is the main way that you communicate with immediate family members?
When eating meals with family and friends, how often do you look at your phone or other mobile device?
Which of the following do you think contributes most to mental or emotional health issues in children?
Overall, would you say social media has a positive or negative impact on the mental and emotional health of children?
When you are with your child/children, how often do you find yourself paying more attention to your phone or mobile device than to them?
How often does your child talk to you about their day?
How much time does your child spend using their phone or other mobile devices?
Would you say your child interacts with other children more often online or in person?
How much does your child’s phone or mobile device usage affect their relationships with others?
Have you ever tried to limit the time your child spends on their phone or other mobile devices?
If your child were experiencing mental health issues, who do you think they would most likely turn to for help?
NBC News|SurveyMonkey
