As debates intensify across the United Kingdom and globally about potentially banning platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat for users under sixteen, a concerning parallel trend has emerged. While experts universally agree that excessive "doom-scrolling" is detrimental to young people's mental wellbeing, new data suggests parents themselves are a significant part of the problem.
The Hidden Addiction Among Parents
A comprehensive new survey has uncovered that parents are struggling with their own social media habits. The research, which polled 2,000 parents alongside 700 children aged 11 to 17 in both the UK and the US, found that 21 percent of parents admitted to being hooked on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. A similar proportion, 23 percent, reported suffering anxiety as a direct consequence of their social media use.
Furthermore, 15 percent of parents stated they regularly experience feelings of sadness or depression linked to the time they spend online. The study indicates this parental behavior has a direct correlation with their children's habits. An academic study published in the Journal of Paediatric Nursing last year concluded that youngsters whose parents are glued to their mobile phones are more likely to develop greater or more problematic social media use themselves.
Physical and Emotional Symptoms Widespread
The issue extends beyond mere time spent online. More than two-thirds of those surveyed—68 percent of parents and 66 percent of their children—reported experiencing at least one physical or emotional symptom connected to their social media scrolling. This shared experience highlights a family-wide digital health crisis.
Interestingly, the research also found that socioeconomic status does not provide protection. Children from wealthier households, with access to multiple devices, were just as likely as those from lower-income backgrounds to develop addictive behaviors online, debunking the myth that class and resources inherently dictate healthier digital habits.
Why Age Bans May Be Misguided
Mike Bennett, CEO of the online safety app Sway.ly, argues that the proposed ban on social media for under-16s is likely "unenforceable" and could distract from the core issue. "The real predictor of social media use is not a child's age but how much time their own parents spend using such apps," Bennett stated. He pointed to early evidence from Australia, where recent age restriction measures have proven patchy, potentially driving young users toward more dangerous, unmoderated corners of the internet.
Bennett, a father of three and tech entrepreneur, emphasized that while approximately 70 percent of parents support stricter age verification controls, children will likely circumvent any blanket ban. Instead, he advocates for a focus on "the real problem of mobile phone and social media behaviour in the family home."
The Government's Consultation and Alternative Solutions
The UK Government launched a public consultation on Monday regarding a potential social media ban for under-16s. The consultation seeks views on this restriction and other interventions, such as disabling addictive features like infinite scrolling and video autoplay, implementing mandatory curfews to improve sleep, and strengthening age verification using AI.
However, Bennett and other experts suggest a different approach. Rather than relying on prohibitions, they call for "more education and better conversations about content to help families understand how to make healthy digital decisions." Positive parental involvement—through open discussions about content, boundaries, and online experiences—has been shown to significantly reduce risks, whereas blanket bans risk driving activity underground and severing crucial family communication.
Technology as a Guide, Not Just a Gatekeeper
Bennett's app, Sway.ly, exemplifies this educational approach. Priced at £2.60 per user monthly and currently trialled by a major telecoms provider, it employs cutting-edge AI to identify and filter 36 distinct types of harmful content. Beyond simply alerting parents when a child encounters inappropriate material, the app actively educates young users. It makes suggestions, such as advising them to unfollow or block accounts that promote unrealistic body images, glamorise self-harm, or glorify violence.
"The online world is nuanced," Bennett explained. "Boundaries shift depending on age, maturity, family values, and factors like neurodiversity. Censorship alone cannot navigate that complexity. To change behaviour, we must guide, educate, and empower."
A Call for Family-Wide Digital Health
The ultimate solution, according to experts, lies in collective family engagement. "The key to creating digitally healthier children—and helping them become digitally healthier adults—is to educate children and their parents about social media use together," Bennett asserted. He stressed that children need engagement, not panic, and that parents must initiate conversations about family screen time and content viewing.
By establishing realistic age and privacy boundaries and ensuring every family member understands the risks associated with being online, households can foster a healthier digital environment. As the debate over bans continues, the evidence clearly indicates that addressing parental addiction and promoting open dialogue may be far more effective than any legislative restriction in safeguarding the next generation's mental wellbeing in the digital age.
