A recent national survey commissioned by the Coalition to Empower our Future (CEF) indicates that a majority of parents and registered voters believe policies focused solely on restricting youth access to smartphones and social media could have unintended consequences. The poll, conducted by Mercury Analytics, found that seven in 10 registered voters and nearly three-quarters of parents worry that banning or severely limiting technology use may not address deeper mental health challenges and could leave young people unprepared to navigate digital tools responsibly.
The research included a nationwide survey of 2,000 registered voters, expanded polling among parents in California, New York and Texas, and focus group discussions. Many parents expressed that restricting technology alone treats a symptom rather than the root cause. One parent from California noted, “I don’t necessarily support taking the phones away. It’s like solving a symptom but not necessarily the problem.” A parent from New York added that bans might make technology more appealing: “Bans, with no questions asked, are not a good solution because it’ll be like ‘okay, I’m not allowed to do this, so now I have more of an inclination to do this.’”
Instead of focusing on a single policy, survey participants favored a comprehensive approach. Nearly three out of four respondents said improving youth wellbeing requires collaboration among parents, educators, healthcare professionals, community organizations and policymakers. The findings also highlighted strong support for digital literacy: more than 80 percent of voters and almost 90 percent of parents agreed that children and teens should receive instruction on safely and responsibly using emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. Respondents emphasized equipping parents with guidance and educational resources to help children make informed decisions online.
As AI applications, social media and digital learning tools become more integrated into daily life, many parents believe education and skill-building may be more effective than outright restrictions. A Texas parent commented, “I think kids are technologically savvy, but not digitally literate. A lot of them are unable to use higher-order thinking skills to understand what they are watching or experiencing.” The research suggests that respondents view youth mental health as a complex issue influenced by family support, school environments, community involvement and responsible technology use. Balanced solutions that combine mental health services, digital literacy education, parental engagement and community support were favored over bans.
The study was conducted in April 2026 in partnership with Mercury Analytics. Additional information about the research is available through the Coalition to Empower our Future. To learn more, visit: the full research memo.
