Why Screen Time & Social Media Topped Parents’ Health Concerns in 2025

Going into 2026, parents have a new outlook on social media and how they want to prioritize their children’s time with technology. Screen time and social media have become growing concerns for children’s health, and the issue continues to intensify as technology advances. We are starting to see a cultural shift that makes screens and social media a part of kids’ everyday lives, both at home and in the classroom. This leaves many parents asking important questions: Why did screen time and social media rise to the top of health concerns, and what can we do to limit their impact?

Cyberbullying, comparison anxiety, mental health challenges, sleep disruption, and attention issues are all linked to excessive screen time and early exposure to social media. While technology isn’t going anywhere, it’s important for parents to create healthy boundaries around tech use. Building a healthy balance starts with limiting access, guiding and monitoring how kids use technology, and keeping them off social media platforms. With the right approach, families can reduce the negative effects of screen time while still allowing kids to stay connected in safe, age-appropriate ways.

TickTalk 5 kids smartwatch helps parents and children stay connected while building healthy tech habits. Designed with parental controls and screen time management in mind, it includes the features parents care about most—voice and video calling, safe messaging with approved contacts, GPS tracking, no social media access, quick dial 911 for emergencies, and customizable scheduling reminders and alerts. By providing safe communication without the distractions of a smartphone, TickTalk 5 gives parents peace of mind while helping kids develop responsible tech-savvy habits.  

Giving parents peace of mind is important to us, and TickTalk 5 was built with that purpose in mind. TickTalk 5 features allow parents to easily check in and stay connected with their children while managing screen time and keeping them off social media platforms. With built-in parental controls, safe communication tools, and GPS tracking, families can feel confident their kids are both safe and focused. Safety, customizable reminders and alerts help children develop healthy tech habits, responsibility, and accountability—laying the foundation for a balanced relationship with technology in today’s digital world.