Parents as Addicted as Kids: Social Media's Impact

0:00On March 5, a new survey reveals that parents are just as hooked on social media as their kids. One in five admitted to being addicted to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. Meanwhile, 23% felt anxious from it, and 15% reported feeling sad or depressed. Researchers poll 2,000 parents and 700 kids aged 11 to 17 in the UK and US. Over 2 thirds of both groups, 68% of parents and 66% of children experience physical or emotional symptoms from scrolling. Experts argue that parental habits matter more than age bands for teens. Studies show kids with phone-glue parents use social media more problematically. Even if those parents set strict rules like device confiscation, wealth and class don't change this pattern. The UK government just launched a consultation on banning social media for under 16s. Plus ideas like curfews and disabling addictive features. Tech leader Mike Bennett calls bands unenforceable, saying they distract from fixing family phone habits and push kids to riskier online spots.

1:06Instead of prohibitions, the focus should shift to parents' modeling better use. With tools like AI apps guiding safer choices for everyone at home,