Digital Safety is on the minds of moms, dads and our teens.

As a mom to a 15-year-old with a mobile phone, I know the digital worry all too well. We live in an age where screens are part of nearly every moment of our kids’ day. From schoolwork to socializing and yes, sometimes even distraction. Even if we try to navigate digital life with love, calm conversations, and practical tools, that nagging concern never fully goes away.

But we’re not alone. Not surprisingly, and increasingly, our kids are feeling it too.

Real Teens, Real Perspectives

A January 2026 Pew Research Center survey reveals something striking:

About 4 in 10 teens (41%) support banning cellphones during class time. Fewer, only about 17% support banning phones for the entire school day.  

These numbers may not surprise us, teens naturally want autonomy, but what’s powerful is that many teens are now willing to say that less phone use at school might be a good thing. They’re noticing, too, that constant connection isn’t always healthy. Not just disruptive to teachers or parents, but to their own focus, wellbeing, and friendships.

Why This Matters to Moms

For years, parents have worried about:

    •    digital distractions in school

    •    social media pressures

    •    unsafe texting or interactions

    •    the role of AI and online privacy

Turns out, our kids are not entirely dismissive of these concerns. They understand that phones can be both helpful and harmful, a tool for safety and connection, yes – but also one that can pull them away from attention, calm, and meaning.

This alignment, where parents and teens both see the digital tension, opens up a beautiful space for deeper conversations, mutual understanding, and intentional boundaries.

How I’m Navigating It at Home

In our family, we don’t just talk about digital safety, we practice it together.

We use the Aura Digital Safety app to help set healthy boundaries, protect privacy, and reduce anxiety around online interactions (Aura lets you monitor your kid’s phone use without prying too much or reading through their activity on the phone).

We talk openly about:

    •    texting with respect and safety

    •    online interactions and digital consent

    •    being thoughtful with AI and screen time

No fear. No shaming. Just honest heart-to-heart conversations that respect my teen’s voice, and my role as a parent.

Our Teen’s Next Step

My 15-year-old is taking this a step further, he has been writing to our state representative to advocate for better digital safety awareness for teens. That’s courage, and it’s something every mom can be inspired by.

If you’ve ever wondered how to channel your concern into positive action, there’s a simple step you can take right now. Write your lawmakers about digital safety policies. Whether it’s school phone guidelines, online protections, or support for digital wellbeing resources. You can find your state representatives here:

Find Your State Representatives

You’re Not Alone

If you wake up some days feeling unsure, wondering if you’re doing enough, saying the right things, or building the right digital habits (me too), take heart. You are present. You are talking about the hard stuff, and that matters more than perfection.

We are in this together — one earnest MOMent at a time.

Let’s keep talking, keep encouraging our teens, and keep shaping a digital future that protects their hearts as much as their minds. 

x. Earnest Mom