Techxiety? Modern parenting stress keeps families up at night

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

PARENTS ARE DEALING WITH A NEW KIND OF STRESS SOME ARE CALLING 'TECHXIETY.'

A NEW SURVEY OF 2,000 PARENTS FROM COSMO FOUND MOMS AND DADS ARE LOSING THE EQUIVALENT OF 48 NIGHTS OF SLEEP A YEAR WORRYING ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN.

MUCH OF THAT STRESS COMES FROM TECHNOLOGY, WITH CONCERNS ABOUT SCREEN TIME, SOCIAL MEDIA AND SMARTPHONES KEEPING MANY PARENTS AWAKE AT NIGHT.

THE STUDY, CONDUCTED BY TALKER RESEARCH, FOUND MOST PARENTS STILL WANT THEIR CHILD TO HAVE ACCESS TO A PHONE AT SCHOOL IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, DESPITE THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT TOO MUCH TECH.

SO WHAT ABOUT YOU? WHAT'S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF RAISING KIDS IN THE SMARTPHONE AGE?

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 parents of school-aged children with internet access. The survey was commissioned by Cosmo and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 22 and May 29, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.