Most parents fear they're losing ‘precious time' while fighting with kids about digital ‘addiction': new study
Kids can't 'Just Say No' to the high of WiFi.
The bewitching buzz of being online — be it via an iPad, cellphone or computer — is like a narcotic to Gen Alpha kiddos.
Now, parents fear their perennially online offspring are devolved into digital drug addicts due to the prevalence of modern technology, per a nightmarish new report.
Advertisement
5 Study authors found that families find themselves embroiled in more than 500 fights over technology each year.
ciric_velibor – stock.adobe.com
'Parents spend approximately 96 hours fighting with their kids over screen time every year,' researchers for AngelQ, a kid-friendly internet browser, wrote in the May 2025 study, estimating that families face over 500 tech-related rows — more than one per day — annually.
'Two-thirds (67%) of parents fear they're losing precious moments with their children due to screen addiction,' the analysts alerted.
Advertisement
More frightening, the findings revealed that 41% of moms and dads are afraid they're 'losing their little ones' childhood to technology completely.'
It's a new age panic plaguing parents of all ages.
5 The study unearthed the widespread worry that kids are becoming 'addicted' to their devices, screen time and the internet.
H_Ko – stock.adobe.com
Investigators surveyed 2,000 adults — from the 20-somethings of Gen Z to Baby Boomers age 61 and up — with kids in kindergarten through fifth grade (typically kids ranging in age from 5 to 12).
Advertisement
Across the generations, 61% of parents confessed to 'worrying' that too much screen time is replacing important elements of childhood development, such as building strong social skills and empathy.
Participants reported the concerning consequences of excessive screen time, including irritability (27%), mood swings (24%), and full-on tantrums (22%).
Decreased attention spans with offline activities, such as homework (19%), high levels of anxiety (14%), and trouble sleeping (14%) were, too, high on their list of tech-induced issues.
Still, approximately six in ten (60%) parents permit their kids to surf the internet sans supervision, according to the data.
Advertisement
5 Parents are scared that kids under age 12 can be targeted in online attacks if their internet activities aren't properly monitored.
Brocreative – stock.adobe.com
Without proper guidance, youngsters may fall prey to virtual predators, inappropriate content, cyber bullying, social media influence and mental health damage.
'Technology is currently aligned against families instead of allied with them,' Tim Estes, CEO and Co-Founder of AngelQ, said in a statement. 'Our kids are losing years of their childhood – precious time they'll never get back – to exploitive products that addict them.'
'Technology should educate and empower, not distract and divide families,' he added. 'That starts with giving parents easier tools to manage screen time without the daily struggle.'
But parents can't be pushovers.
5 A high number of parents, namely Gen Zs in their early 20s, regularly 'give in' to their children's pleas for extra screen time.
peopleimages.com – stock.adobe.com
The poll found that 65% of mothers and fathers give in to their whining children when they refuse to put down a digital device.
A staggering 28% of Gen Z parents, more than any other demographic, said they gave in 'often.'
Advertisement
'These conflicts are most likely to occur leading up to dinner (64%), disrupting important family bonding time,' warned the insiders.
However, even when mom and dad insist, 39% of the rugrats sneakily access the phones, tablets and laptops behind their backs, the study showed.
5 The researchers found that an alarming number of kids use devices to access the internet without their parents' permission.
Natalia – stock.adobe.com
Advertisement
The crafty crumb-snatchers will also secretly change passwords or controls on their devices, create new user accounts on social platforms and use Siri or voice commands to open apps.
'These findings highlight the delicate balancing act parents face, wanting to protect childhood while also preparing kids for a digital world,' said Estes. 'We recognize that screen time isn't inherently bad, but today most of the options are.'
'We want to reimagine how kids use tech to create healthy habits,' he continued, adding that the internet and digital devices should be tools for, 'enhancing childhood, not taking away from it.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
6 hours ago
- Forbes
Stressed, Scrolling On Social, And Stuck? Here's What To Do About It.
Have you ever found your focus and your mood completely derailed after getting sucked into a social media scrolling session? Maybe it started innocently enough with something like researching vacation destinations. Maybe you went looking for a dinner recipe. Or maybe you found yourself going down a rabbit hole looking up physical or mental health symptoms you've been having. Social media scrolling has been linked to poorer mental and physical health and decreased work ... More productivity. LifeStance Health recently surveyed over 1,000 U.S. adults to uncover how being constantly online connectivity impacts Americans' mental well-being and relationships. One of the most startling findings was that so many participants reported relying on social media for mental health advice, despite concerns about its credibility, with a whopping 50% of Gen Z-ers self-diagnosing mental health conditions based on social media content (but sometimes hesitating to actually seek professional help afterwards). And then before you know it, forty-six minutes have passed and you're totally overstimulated, treading water in a puddle of your own stress-sweat and you somehow need to get yourself back on track so you can get on with your day. As becoming 'chronically online' has become the norm for so many, this can play a big role in wellbeing. 26% of respondents shared that they check social media within five minutes of waking up, and the same portion spends four hours or more daily on social media. Gen Z (45%) and millennial respondents (39%) were found to be the most likely to be constantly connected, compared to Gen X (25%) and baby boomer (14%) respondents. These social media time-sucks and mood-dips can be disruptive no matter what time of day or night they occur, but when they hit in the middle of your day, it can significantly throw you off course. Here, experts share their insights and tips for how to cope when you're overstimulated by social media. Health experts agree that spending too much time on social media can have a negative impact on ... More overall wellbeing. Dr. Caroline Fleck, a psychologist and author of Validation, quips, 'If i wanted to set up conditions that would lead someone to develop major depression disorder, I'd have them lie down, limit their sunlight exposure, and put them in a space where it's very easy to compare themselves to other people—social media offers all of those things.' According to Srini Pillay, M.D., a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, chief medical officer of Reulay and author of 'Tinker Dabble Doodle Try: Unlock the Power of The Unfocused Mind', being chronically online can cause severe cognitive decline. He cites a March 2025 article published in Brain Science indicating that excessive exposure to low-quality digital content, especially through social media and video platforms, causes a phenomenon known as 'brain rot'—a term recently crowned Oxford's Word of the Year. 'Symptoms include emotional numbness or fogginess, memory issues, poor decision-making, and a distorted sense of self—fueled by dopamine-driven feedback loops that keep users locked in.' Other researchers have found that chronic online users usually multitask and get side-tracked by constant notifications, which can lead to poor attention, memory, and decision-making, he adds. Physical health issues like increases in inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), more physical symptoms and more visits to a doctor or health center for physical illness have also been noted in research. 'While social media can foster connection and provide emotional support, especially for marginalized groups,' explains Dr. Pillay, it is also linked to a range of potential health challenges. These include increased risk of anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and body dissatisfaction—especially among girls—largely due to social comparison, problematic use, and content exposure.' He adds that excessive use may displace vital health-promoting activities 'like sleep, physical activity, and real-world social interaction.' The neglect of physical health can contribute to or exacerbate mental health issues. And by the way, this isn't just impacting individual wellbeing. Pillay, who is also a leadership development expert who works with Fortune 500 companies to help them build more resilient, agile, creative and productive teams, shares that according to research from McKinsey & Co., employee disengagement and attrition could cost a median-size S&P 500 company between $228 million and $355 million a year in lost productivity. 'Over five years, that's at least $1.1 billion in lost value per company. The multitasking that occurs while working and engaging social media may slow people down, hamper creativity, and increase anxiety, thereby impacting engagement.' Taking breaks and getting outside can help you get back on track with your day after a disruptive ... More scrolling session. Prentis Hemphill, a therapist focused on embodiment and the author of What It Takes to Heal, encourages starting by acknowledging how social media is actually designed to hijack your attention. 'I think it's good for us to know and understand that the design of social media has us consuming a lot of information and experiences of other people, but the speed at which we can do that doesn't align with the speed at which our body processes emotion and experiences. So if we end up in that scrolling vortex, we usually experience some kind of overwhelm.' That information about your mental state gives you a starting place. 'Once we notice we're triggered or overwhelmed, that's a time to take a step back.' They encourage checking in with yourself about exactly what you're feeling. 'This can give you clues as to which actions you can take. Discern exactly what it is you feel.' When we recognize what we're feeling and what's contributing to the uncomfortable feelings, explains Dr. Fleck, 'we get some information about what the antidote would be.' In many cases, she says, the inverse can be helpful. If you're scrolling inside, get outdoors, if you're in a climate with sun. 'You can even just sit outside without your phone.' Or if you've been sitting down while scrolling, 'flip that on its head and get some movement. These are just some physiological ways of regulating your body.' Considering how social media impacts your thoughts is also helpful, she says. 'On social media, you're being told to buy this and do that. You're getting the fundamental messaging that you're not enough. Self-validation is so important. You can say to yourself, 'I don't need anything other than what I am and what I have. I am enough.' You can validate, of course I'm feeling bad—I'm comparing myself to people who are photoshopped to the nth degree. Recognize that it's a distorted reality.' Sometimes being honest with yourself about what you're looking for on social media can also offer valuable clues, explains Dr. Fleck. 'If you're getting into scrolling while you're working, most likely what you need in that moment is a break from the mental stimulation of the work you're doing.' However, instead of giving ourselves a break, we flood our nervous system with these messages, she says, 'and it makes us feel keyed up and burnt out at the same time. Instead of restoring our faculties, we've exhausted them. So if the function is to regulate or distract, if you notice this pattern more than once, it becomes about, 'What can I do' to change this pattern.' Hemphill adds, 'Carving out some time and space to be with your focus and train your focus as best you can makes it a little easier to you do have to refocus or shift, having a mini ritual, such as a mini meditation, to help you be intentional about that transition to where you're back in the driver's seat of your attention can help you. A lot of us don't transition back—our minds are still in that other space but we have work to do. This helps us get back into our bodies.' Some other examples they share are taking a deep breath and going outside to connect with nature and your body. Dr. Pillay adds that deliberately seeking positive online experiences can help in the shrt term too. 'For example, if laughing babies make a person happy, they might search for a video online to switch their mood instantly. Or if a particular song puts them in a better mood, they might listen to that song immediately.' He also points to a study that demonstrated that affirming one's values is rewarding to the brain. 'This works especially if you think about what you want to honor in the future.' Your mindset around social media has been shown to play a role in how it impacts you. Dr Fleck encourages being honest with yourself about why you're scrolling. To go back to the example of someone looking up symptoms, she says, 'When we look up symptoms on social media, sometimes we're seeking some degree of, 'Is there anybody out there who's feeling what I feel?' What we're seeking there is some signal that what we're going through is real and overwhelming and hard. But that isn't always the type of validation that serves us. It would be so much healthier to have someone to talk to rather than validation that things are as bad as they seem.' If you've noticed that some people you know will tell you they find social media uplifting while others find it draining, the reason for that likely lies within, explains Dr. Pillay. 'Recent research suggests the answer lies not in the platforms themselves, but in the mindsets we bring to them. In a large-scale, multi-study investigation involving over 2,000 participants, scientists introduced the concept of social media mindsets—core beliefs about how much control people feel over their use and whether they view it as helpful or harmful to their lives.' 'The study found that people with a sense of agency and a positive outlook on social media's role in their lives tend to enjoy greater psychological and relational well-being,' he says. 'In contrast, those who feel out of control and believe social media harms them report higher levels of distress.' Those who felt like they could control when they scrolled and could take a break whenever they wanted fared better than those who felt like it was out of their control. 'As you rethink your digital health behaviors,' says Dr. Pillay, 'consider that changing your mindset may just change your relationship with social media—and yourself. Health experts recommend setting healthy boundaries with social media and building in restorative ... More daily practices. The Lifestance survey data reflects that an increasing number of people are considering using digital detoxes as ways to disconnect, with 76% of respondents reporting that they find the idea of a digital detox appealing, with Gen Z (84%) and millennial (83%) respondents most interested compared to respondents from other generations. Over a quarter of respondents stated that they actually believe a permanent TikTok ban would positively impact their mental health. 'I think these questions of how we manage social media in our lives are so important,' says Hemphill. 'I think it's so important for us to have identities and lives that are full beyond social media.' They encourage exploring how you can cultivate a sense of autonomy when we have such strong algorithms driving negative emotions like insecurity and fear. Hemphill recommends designating specific times and spaces for social media. 'Setting blocks of time can help you set a reliable place and time where you know you can go in and come out. There are also places that are sacred spaces. I don't scroll on social media when I'm with my kid or my partner. I also try to have other practices during my day and hold certain spaces sacred where social media can't enter. You can also fill out your own social media experience with the types of content you want to see.' Matthew Solit, LCSW, Executive Clinical Director at LifeStance Health, adds, 'Be careful with online mental health content and self-diagnosis. While it may seem more comfortable, it is not reliable. Wellness takes work and that work is most likely actualized through working in direct partnership with mental health professionals. The mental health challenges that can be fueled by excessive internet use, 'doom-scrolling' and overstimulation are real. If your thoughts involve harming yourself or others, please seek help immediately.'
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Freeze your cherries, eat a cup of beans daily and try this hack to fall asleep fast — plus 9 more health tips to help you have a great week
Hello, Yahoo readers! My name is Kaitlin Reilly, and I'm here to share the best health and wellness tips from around the internet. Much has been said about our society's addiction to smartphones and social media, which has been linked to mental health issues, shortened attention spans and even disrupted sleep. An artist recently created a 'methaphone,' a piece of acrylic shaped like an iPhone, in order to help people be more thoughtful about their habits. Meanwhile, some members of Gen Z are eschewing smartphones entirely by practicing 'appstinence' and spending more time in the real world. And speaking of spending time in the real world: This week, Yahoo Reporter Kerry Justich tried Steppin, an app that encourages users to spend more time strolling (and less time scrolling) by making them earn one minute of social media time for every 100 steps they take. She says it's a game changer for avoiding doomscrolling. 'My earned time resets at midnight, which means I wake up to 0 minutes earned and can't start my day scrolling,' Justich writes, noting that using the app gave her more time to 'focus on what's ahead and approach my day more mindfully.' It also helped her resist the quick dopamine hits that 'otherwise keep me reaching for my phone throughout the rest of the day.' Bonus: Because you have to get steps in to access social media, this approach cuts down sedentary time. Sitting for long stretches of time has been linked to negative health outcomes. But you don't need an app to move more — just try going for a walk without your phone. Ready to start this week off right? Take a look at the local weather forecast and peruse your horoscope if you're so inclined. Then check out what small steps you can take to make the week ahead a good one. Cherries are in season — but they won't be for long. Grab an extra bag at the supermarket to pop in your freezer to enjoy later, dietitian Natalie Rizzo tells our friends at Today. These health benefits are worth getting year-round: Cherries are rich in vitamin C and anthocyanins, which offer immune support and protection against chronic diseases. Plus, they're excellent for reducing inflammation, making them a good choice for a post-workout smoothie. Simply throw a cup of frozen cherries in a blender with a splash of milk and a spoonful of almond butter (healthy fats!) for a drink that's a twist on the classic PB&J. Beans are budget-friendly and full of protein and fiber. Now, a new study from the Illinois Institute of Technology finds that eating a cup of beans a day can offer important benefits. Over 12 weeks, participants who ate chickpeas saw a drop in cholesterol, while those who ate black beans had reduced inflammation; these are both key risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. Scoop some with whole-grain tortilla chips, add them to a salad or include them in a bowl with rice and chicken for an easy dinner. Or get creative and make this viral chickpea cookie dough recipe for some sweetness. So many people struggle with insomnia. If you're one of them, this viral sleep hack — which resurfaced on social media after initially gaining attention in the 1981 book Relax and Win: Championship Performance — might help. You start by relaxing your body piece by piece, beginning with your forehead and moving down to your toes, while taking slow, deep breaths. Then, clear your mind by imagining calming scenes (like lying in a hammock or napping on the beach). If you're plagued by intrusive thoughts, repeat the phrase 'don't think' for 10 seconds to send them away. Eventually you should doze off, though it may take some practice over weeks in order to really train your body to respond. One key thing needed to fall asleep, sleep specialist Dr. Sanjiv Kothare tells Today, is to make sure you're going to bed only when you're actually tired. If you're wide awake and trying to snooze, you'll frustrate yourself and wind up staying awake longer than you should. 'Get out of bed, go to a different area, read a book in dim light — do something boring, come back to bed,' he advises. 'In 20 minutes, do it again and keep doing it back and forth until you fall asleep.' Want to protect your brain health? Consider the MIND diet. As NBC News reports, researchers from the University of Hawaii and the University of Southern California found that following this eating plan — which focuses on brain-healthy foods like leafy greens, berries, nuts, whole grains, olive oil and fish and limits red meat, cheese, fried foods and sweets — could lower people's risk of developing dementia, with those who upped their adherence to the diet over 10 years seeing a 25% lower risk. One easy way to start is to get into leafy greens; the diet suggests six or more servings per week. Instead of relying on spinach, switch it up by getting kale, Swiss chard, collard greens or bok choy instead. Trying to stop scarfing down your food? It's time to spice up your life. A study from Penn State found that adding a little spice to your meal — just enough to feel a slight 'oral burn' from ingredients like chili peppers — can help you eat less without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. In experiments using spicy vs. mild versions of dishes like chili and tikka masala, participants who ate the spicier meals consumed fewer calories. Researchers say this slower eating pace helps your body better recognize when it's full, meaning you'll be more satisfied with your meal while consuming less food overall. So, if you can handle the heat, toss some chili peppers, hot paprika or crushed red pepper flakes into your next dish. McDonald's is bringing back its popular Snack Wrap this July, according to CBS News. While there's no harm in hitting the drive-through every once in a while, you can also whip up a healthier version at home. The classic wrap includes a crispy chicken strip, cheddar jack cheese, lettuce and a creamy ranch or honey mustard sauce in a soft tortilla. For a better-for-you take, swap in a whole wheat tortilla for more fiber, grilled chicken breast instead of the fried version and a tangy Greek yogurt-based sauce in place of the heavier dressing. Pile on extra veggies like tomatoes and shredded carrots for a boost of vitamins and fiber. While it's vital to drink water to keep your body functioning properly, you probably need extra hydration on super-hot days or during extreme exercise. That said, traditional sports drinks often come loaded with sugar. One solution, per EatingWell, is to drink unsweetened coconut water. You'll cut back on calories and sugar while still getting all-important electrolytes like potassium and magnesium. Dietitians also point out that unsweetened coconut water is a good option for people with diabetes, as staying hydrated can keep blood glucose levels balanced. Nicer weather means taking your exercise outdoors. One great way to do that is by biking. As USA Today explains, cycling, which is considered a moderate-intensity activity, gets your heart pumping, lowers blood pressure and cuts your risk of heart disease while also keeping blood sugar and cholesterol in check. Studies also show it can help you maintain a healthy weight. If you live in a bikeable neighborhood, consider running basic errands by bike rather than car. You'll save gas (win for your wallet and the environment) while also sneaking in some extra exercise. A study published in Nature Food found that eating a wide variety of flavonoid-rich foods — like tea, berries, apples, oranges, dark chocolate and even red wine — may lower your risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Since different flavonoids have different benefits for the body, the key to ideal health is making sure you consume as many different kinds as possible rather than, say, just loading up on tea. So, add some blueberries to your oatmeal in the morning, snack on an orange and have a square of dark chocolate after dinner. It's OK to feel angry sometimes. But if you find yourself bubbling with rage at inopportune moments, there are ways to redirect. Ethan Kross, a professor of psychology, tells USA Today that while there are "no one-size-fits-all solutions when it comes to managing anger," there are some 'tools' you can use to cope. That includes shifting gears when you feel angry. Before reacting, take a beat and do something distracting, like splashing cold water on your face, stepping outside or counting down from 10. When you return, your anger will likely have simmered down. If you find yourself dealing with bouts of anger frequently, however, it's time to look at what might really be troubling you, be it a lack of sleep or work stress. A doctor can help direct you toward next steps. If you're headed out on a summer trip, try this viral packing hack shared by Yahoo Creator Alesandra Dubin. It's super-simple: Next time you're considering what you should put in your suitcase, pick up three tops, three bottoms and three pairs of shoes. You can mix and match these items to create up to 27 different outfit combinations, meaning you'll always feel fresh and stylish while staying under your airline's weight limit. The key, of course, is to make sure these items go well together while still having enough versatility for your trip's needs. For example, instead of packing three pairs of sneakers, you could throw in a dressier option in case you're out to a nice dinner. And don't forget to consider color: While you don't have to go with a neutral palette, choosing a color scheme will make picking out vacay outfits easier. Adore your morning cup of joe? It might have longevity benefits, according to a study from the University of Toronto. As CNN reports, researchers discovered that women in their 50s who drank one to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day were more likely to reach older age in good cognitive, physical and mental health and without any major chronic diseases. Meanwhile, caffeinated beverages like soda and tea — and even decaffeinated coffee — didn't have the same results, suggesting that caffeine-packed coffee in particular has special properties connected to longevity. While the study does not suggest people who aren't already coffee drinkers pick up the habit, it's clear that regular consumers are on the right track. Just keep in mind how caffeine affects your sleep, anxiety levels and digestion.
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Bloomberg
Does a Michelada Without Beer Still Taste as Sweet?
I find myself unhappily on trend. Young people everywhere are increasingly 'on the wagon' — to use the American idiom for sobriety from the 1920s, when the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution banned the production and sale of alcohol. The wagon in the expression was a public- service vehicle loaded with water to tamp down dust and grime on city streets; by extension, it described the clean and sober law-abiding citizens of America. According to some estimates, 39% of Gen Z say they have foresworn alcoholic drinks; about half of them imbibe such beverages only occasionally. Many have taken to non-alcoholic alternatives. I didn't set out to join that youthful bandwagon. Nevertheless, I have been alcohol-free since Jan. 20, 2025. Those of you who recognize that date as US Inauguration Day must get the coincidence out of your head. It just happened to be when I felt I'd had too much wine over the previous three months. Alas, my doctors agreed with me — because of decades of loving wine and champagne, not just those recent three months. And so, I've spent nearly 140 days looking at how to enjoy the brave new world of NA — a market that's gotten a huge boost in sales and creativity precisely because of health-focused Gen Z, a cohort that probably makes up 25% of the world's population. I am a late Boomer, but now I'm medically required to be young at heart.
