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A Majority of Parents Admit Even Youngest Kids Need a “Digital Detox”

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Bright Horizons (NYSE:BFAM) released new research from the Modern Family Index (MFI), conducted by The Harris Poll, revealing concerning trends in children's technology use. The study shows that 60% of children begin using technology before learning to read, and 73% of parents believe their children need a 'digital detox', including 68% of parents with children under six.

The research highlights that 55% of parents use screens as bargaining tools for chores or homework, with working parents more likely (57% vs 42%) to use screen time as a reward. Additionally, 58% of parents admit to using screens to keep children quiet in public settings.

Parents' top concerns include children's safety (57%) and mental health (49%), with 42% worried about screen time. The study found that 61% of children don't engage enough in healthy activities like outdoor play, organized activities, or reading. Negative impacts include reduced family time (39%), technology dependence for emotional regulation (35%), and increased anxiety about in-person interactions (23%).

Bright Horizons (NYSE:BFAM) ha pubblicato una nuova ricerca dall'Indice della Famiglia Moderna (MFI), condotta da The Harris Poll, che rivela tendenze preoccupanti nell'uso della tecnologia da parte dei bambini. Lo studio mostra che il 60% dei bambini inizia a utilizzare la tecnologia prima di imparare a leggere, e il 73% dei genitori crede che i propri figli abbiano bisogno di una 'disintossicazione digitale', incluso il 68% dei genitori con bambini sotto i sei anni.

La ricerca evidenzia che il 55% dei genitori utilizza gli schermi come strumenti di contrattazione per faccende domestiche o compiti, con i genitori lavoratori più propensi (57% contro 42%) a usare il tempo dello schermo come ricompensa. Inoltre, il 58% dei genitori ammette di utilizzare gli schermi per mantenere i bambini tranquilli in contesti pubblici.

Le principali preoccupazioni dei genitori includono la sicurezza dei bambini (57%) e la salute mentale (49%), con il 42% preoccupato per il tempo trascorso davanti allo schermo. Lo studio ha trovato che il 61% dei bambini non partecipa abbastanza ad attività salutari come il gioco all'aperto, attività organizzate o lettura. Gli impatti negativi includono una riduzione del tempo in famiglia (39%), dipendenza dalla tecnologia per la regolazione emotiva (35%) e un aumento dell'ansia riguardo alle interazioni faccia a faccia (23%).

Bright Horizons (NYSE:BFAM) publicó una nueva investigación del Índice de la Familia Moderna (MFI), realizada por The Harris Poll, que revela tendencias preocupantes en el uso de la tecnología por parte de los niños. El estudio muestra que el 60% de los niños comienza a usar tecnología antes de aprender a leer, y el 73% de los padres cree que sus hijos necesitan una 'desintoxicación digital', incluyendo el 68% de los padres con niños menores de seis años.

La investigación destaca que el 55% de los padres utiliza las pantallas como herramientas de negociación para las tareas del hogar o los deberes, siendo los padres trabajadores más propensos (57% frente a 42%) a usar el tiempo de pantalla como recompensa. Además, el 58% de los padres admite usar pantallas para mantener a los niños tranquilos en lugares públicos.

Las principales preocupaciones de los padres incluyen la seguridad de los niños (57%) y la salud mental (49%), con el 42% preocupado por el tiempo de pantalla. El estudio encontró que el 61% de los niños no participa lo suficiente en actividades saludables como el juego al aire libre, actividades organizadas o lectura. Los impactos negativos incluyen una reducción del tiempo familiar (39%), dependencia de la tecnología para la regulación emocional (35%) y un aumento de la ansiedad sobre las interacciones en persona (23%).

브라이트 호라이즌스 (NYSE:BFAM)는 해리스 폴이 실시한 현대 가족 지수(MFI)의 새로운 연구 결과를 발표했습니다. 이 연구는 아동의 기술 사용에 대한 우려스러운 경향을 드러냅니다. 연구에 따르면 60%의 아동이 읽기를 배우기 전에 기술을 사용하기 시작합니다. 또한 73%의 부모는 자녀가 '디지털 디톡스'가 필요하다고 믿습니다, 이는 6세 미만 자녀를 둔 부모의 68%를 포함합니다.

연구는 55%의 부모가 집안일이나 숙제를 위한 협상 도구로 화면을 사용하고 있으며, 직장 부모가 보상으로 화면 시간을 사용하는 경향이 더 높다는 것을 보여줍니다 (57% 대 42%). 또한, 58%의 부모가 공공 장소에서 아이들을 조용하게 유지하기 위해 화면을 사용하는 것을 인정합니다.

부모의 주요 우려 사항은 아동의 안전 (57%)과 정신 건강 (49%)이며, 42%는 화면 시간에 대해 걱정하고 있습니다. 연구에 따르면 61%의 아동이 야외 놀이, 조직된 활동 또는 독서와 같은 건강한 활동에 충분히 참여하지 않고 있습니다. 부정적인 영향으로는 가족 시간의 감소 (39%), 감정 조절을 위한 기술 의존 (35%), 대면 상호작용에 대한 불안 증가 (23%)가 포함됩니다.

Bright Horizons (NYSE:BFAM) a publié de nouvelles recherches de l'Indice de la Famille Moderne (MFI), menées par The Harris Poll, révélant des tendances préoccupantes dans l'utilisation de la technologie par les enfants. L'étude montre que 60% des enfants commencent à utiliser la technologie avant d'apprendre à lire, et 73% des parents estiment que leurs enfants ont besoin d'une 'désintoxication numérique', y compris 68% des parents ayant des enfants de moins de six ans.

La recherche met en évidence que 55% des parents utilisent les écrans comme outils de négociation pour les tâches ménagères ou les devoirs, les parents travailleurs étant plus susceptibles (57% contre 42%) d'utiliser le temps d'écran comme récompense. De plus, 58% des parents admettent utiliser les écrans pour garder les enfants tranquilles dans des lieux publics.

Les principales préoccupations des parents incluent la sécurité des enfants (57%) et la santé mentale (49%), 42% s'inquiétant du temps d'écran. L'étude a révélé que 61% des enfants ne s'engagent pas suffisamment dans des activités saines telles que le jeu en plein air, les activités organisées ou la lecture. Les impacts négatifs incluent une réduction du temps en famille (39%), une dépendance à la technologie pour la régulation émotionnelle (35%) et une augmentation de l'anxiété concernant les interactions en personne (23%).

Bright Horizons (NYSE:BFAM) hat neue Forschungsergebnisse des Modern Family Index (MFI) veröffentlicht, die von The Harris Poll durchgeführt wurden und besorgniserregende Trends in der Nutzung von Technologie durch Kinder aufzeigen. Die Studie zeigt, dass 60% der Kinder Technologie nutzen, bevor sie lesen lernen, und 73% der Eltern glauben, dass ihre Kinder eine 'digitale Entgiftung' benötigen, einschließlich 68% der Eltern mit Kindern unter sechs Jahren.

Die Forschung hebt hervor, dass 55% der Eltern Bildschirme als Verhandlungsmittel für Hausarbeiten oder Hausaufgaben nutzen, wobei berufstätige Eltern eher dazu neigen (57% gegenüber 42%), Bildschirmzeit als Belohnung einzusetzen. Darüber hinaus geben 58% der Eltern zu, Bildschirme zu verwenden, um Kinder in öffentlichen Räumen ruhig zu halten.

Die größten Sorgen der Eltern sind die Sicherheit der Kinder (57%) und die psychische Gesundheit (49%), wobei 42% sich über die Bildschirmzeit Sorgen machen. Die Studie ergab, dass 61% der Kinder nicht ausreichend an gesunden Aktivitäten wie Spielen im Freien, organisierten Aktivitäten oder Lesen teilnehmen. Zu den negativen Auswirkungen gehören reduzierte Familienzeit (39%), Abhängigkeit von Technologie zur emotionalen Regulierung (35%) und erhöhte Angst vor persönlichen Interaktionen (23%).

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New research reveals children are fluent in technology before they can read

NEWTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In our modern and highly-connected world, technology can be both an asset and a danger—especially for children. Kids today don’t know a world without smartphones, and according to research from the Modern Family Index (MFI), commissioned by Bright Horizons (NYSE:BFAM) and conducted by The Harris Poll, 60% of parents say their children started using technology before they could read. Nearly three-quarters (73%) even admit their children could use a “detox” from technology, including 68% of parents with children under six years of age.

While the long-term impacts of excessive screen time have yet to be fully uncovered, many are worried about the potential effect on kids’ mental health. According to the 2024 U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, Parents Under Pressure, the rapid adoption and evolution of technology and social media pose new risks to children’s health and safety.

Convenience Conundrum

More than half of parents (55%) use screens as a bargaining chip to get their children to do things like chores or homework. As today’s busy parents struggle to balance their own stress and the overwhelming demands of their families and careers, working parents are even more likely than their unemployed counterparts to use screen time as a reward (57% vs. 42%). An even higher percentage (58%) say they often use screens to keep their children quiet in certain situations such as shopping or dining at a restaurant.

“Screens are essentially unavoidable today, but families should be cautious and deliberate about introducing children to screen-based activities in the early years. This can be hard to hear and feel impractical, but the more guardrails you put in place early, the less you’ll have to do retroactively,” said Rachel Robertson, Chief Academic Officer at Bright Horizons, a leading provider of high-quality early childhood education and care. “Technology of all kinds is designed to make our lives easier, so naturally, parents occasionally find themselves using it as a way to manage behaviors, especially in high-stress environments.”

Parents harbor plenty of concerns when it comes to their children, but at the top of the list, behind their children’s safety (57%), is concern for their mental health (49%). While technology also has its benefits, 42% of parents are worried about the amount of screen time their children engage in and slightly more (44%) acknowledge their children spend too much time in front of screens/using technology.

Making Time for Screen-Free Play

Many parents also recognize that excessive technology use could be taking away from time children spend on more productive activities. Around 3 in 5 (61%) report their children do not do enough healthy activities, such as playing outside with friends, playing in an organized way, playing with toys, coloring, doing homework, or reading. As a result, parents cite negative impacts on their children’s behavior, including spending less quality time with the family (39%), becoming dependent on technology to regulate their emotions (35%), staying confined to their room (30%), and getting anxious about in-person interactions (23%).

When children participate in unstructured, imaginative play offline, they are developing important skills that can’t be achieved through screen time. Play relieves stress and increases happiness, builds feelings of empathy, creativity, and collaboration, and supports the growth of sturdiness and grit. When children are limited in their opportunities for play, their development can be significantly impaired.

Robertson adds, “For that reason, it is critically important to ensure we’re carving out time for kids to engage in unstructured play, explore the world around them, develop friendships offline, and garner a love for reading from a young age. Developing these cognitive, linguistic, social-emotional, and physical skills is crucial to ensuring kids aren’t just prepared for school, but to be successful throughout their whole lives.”

About the Bright Horizons Modern Family Index

Over the past decade, Bright Horizons has tracked trends impacting working families through its annual Modern Family Index (MFI), highlighting the unique challenges and priorities they’ve faced. In 2025, the report has been refreshed and will encompass several waves of survey data focused on timely topics to be released throughout the year.

To download the 2025 Bright Horizons Modern Family Index, click here.

Research Method

The research was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Bright Horizons between February 6-10, 2025, among 2,000 adults ages 18 and older – among whom 622 are a parent or guardian of child(ren) under 18 years of age (“parents”). Data are weighted where necessary by age, gender, region, race/ethnicity, household income, education, marital status, size of household, and political party affiliation to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population.

Respondents are selected among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. The sample data is accurate to within ± 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to other multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including, but not limited to coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments.

About Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc.

Bright Horizons® is a leading global provider of high-quality early education and childcare, back-up care, and workforce education services. For more than 35 years, we have partnered with employers to support workforces by providing services that help working families and employees thrive personally and professionally. Bright Horizons operates more than 1,000 early education and childcare centers in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, and India, and serves more than 1,450 of the world’s leading employers. Bright Horizons’ early education and childcare centers, back-up child and elder care, and workforce education programs help employees succeed at each life and career stage. For more information, go to www.brighthorizons.com.

Laura McDowell

Laura.McDowell@brighthorizons.com

Source: Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc.

FAQ

What percentage of children start using technology before learning to read according to Bright Horizons (BFAM) research?

According to the Modern Family Index research, 60% of children begin using technology before they can read.

How many parents in the BFAM study believe their children need a digital detox?

73% of parents admit their children could use a 'detox' from technology, including 68% of parents with children under six.

What are the main negative impacts of excessive screen time according to the BFAM study?

Key negative impacts include less family quality time (39%), technology dependence for emotional regulation (35%), room confinement (30%), and anxiety about in-person interactions (23%).

How do working parents differ from unemployed parents in using screen time as a reward according to BFAM research?

Working parents are more likely to use screen time as a reward (57%) compared to unemployed parents (42%).
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