This is the third article in the Navigating Parenting in a Digital Age. For reference, you can find the first one here, and the second here.
We have shared how we decided on cell phone use. We discussed our concerns about social media and mobile phones with children. We also talked about the Common Sense Media’s Summit on Kids and Family. Now, we are sharing what our next steps are. The action we are taking to hopefully see change.
In our home, where we safeguard, password, and pay for apps and these apps are meant to protect our children. Despite this, we still could not protect them. Recently, while watching Amazon Kids+ where we have it locked down, there was a glitch. A glitch that allowed them to click suggestions on what to watch next. We have our viewing ratings set to 7 and under, and a frightening adult show became accessible to them. Within seconds, I had scared children and Amazon on the phone trying to resolve this issue. Weeks later and we are still struggling with nightmares.
After attending the Common Sense Summit on Families and Children, we saw more staggering facts. They released The 2025 Common Sense Census: Media Use by Kids Zero to Eight, read their findings below.
Key findings from the report include:
- By age 2, four in 10 children have their own tablet (40%).
- By age 4, more than half (58%) of children have their own tablet.
- By age 8, one in four children have their own cellphone.
- Overall, 51% of children age 8 and younger have their own mobile device (tablet or cellphone).
- About one in five children use mobile devices for emotional regulation, mealtimes, or to fall asleep.
- Parent supervision varies significantly by platform, with 62% of parents watching YouTube occasionally alongside their children, but only 17% co-viewing TikTok content.
- AI is making inroads into early childhood, with nearly one-third of parents reporting their child has used AI for school-related learning.
- Children from lower-income households are spending nearly twice as much time with screens compared to those from higher-income households (3:48 vs. 1:52 minutes daily).
The research also highlights a concerning supervision gap in how parents monitor different platforms, and how their concerns about screen media affect viewing habits. Fewer parents are co-watching short-form video content, despite its rapid-fire and algorithm-driven nature. And while three-quarters of parents express concerns about screen media, including excessive use and effects on mental health, many also recognize potential benefits, with 75% excited about their children learning new things through digital media.
“Our youngest children are on the front lines of an unprecedented digital transformation,” said James P. Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media. “From AI to immersive gaming, they’re experiencing technologies that didn’t exist even a few years ago. It’s a lot to manage as a new parent, which is why we’re focused on giving families and educators the tools they need to harness the benefits of innovation while building healthy digital habits from the start.”
“Parents are sharing their concerns about the rapidly changing media landscape and how it affects their young children’s development,” said Jill Murphy, chief content officer with Common Sense Media. “While technology keeps evolving, what children need hasn’t changed. Parents can take practical steps: be actively involved in what your little ones are watching, choose content you can enjoy together, and connect screen time to real-world experiences, like acting out stories or discussing characters’ feelings. Set clear boundaries around device use, establish tech-free times for meals and bedtime, and remember that media should be just one of many tools for nurturing your child’s natural curiosity.”
Quoted from: Common Sense Census Press Release
Today, one only has to turn on the news to hear devastating stories of predatory behavior, bullying, and self harm. There are also stories of early pornography exposure and worse. All these events are happening to children, online. This is why we decided to write our lawmakers. They are in a position not only to make laws protecting and defending children online. They can also require more regulation from the companies. These companies are creating this tech and information. They are allowing it to be available, willy-nilly and our children are at risk.
As parents, we can do everything we can to keep up with the changing tech. We can have all the blocks, protections and apps to help us – and sadly it is still not enough.
My teen and I sat down and started writing. We wrote the president, vice president, our state governor and senators, our mayor and state representatives. We asked them, what they are doing to help protect children and teens online and on phones. Telling them, we need more protections and we need them now.
We earnestly urge you to do the same. Our leadership needs to hear from families who are concerned. They need to hear from those who have been affected. Tech is not slowing, and our most vulnerable are the most at risk.
You can find your State Legislators here. You can write letters and mail them (that is what we did) or some have their emails listed as well. Write your leadership and law makers today! Here is a template you can copy and paste to use a parent. Here is a template you can use for your child/children to write too.
Remember, we are in this together, and together we can make change – one EARNEST MOMent at a time.
Love, Earnest Mom
earnestmom.com 