Understanding Digital Disconnects

Studies reveal significant discrepancies between self-reported and actual phone usage among children, often underestimating their screen time by 30 to 50 percent. This gap highlights a lack of awareness regarding the extent of children's engagement with technology. Research methodologies have evolved, yet many studies fail to accurately capture the realities of social media usage, particularly among teens since the rise of platforms like Facebook and Instagram started being documented in 2013. Inconsistent data collection methods have further contributed to this issue, as earlier studies did not appropriately differentiate between types of internet devices or ask about social media use at all, leading to potentially misleading conclusions about children's digital habits.