Four-In-Five New York Parents Say Restricting Youth Access to Technology Could Have Unintended Consequences
New Survey and Parent Conversations Find Strong Support for Comprehensive Youth Mental Health Solutions and Digital Literacy Initiatives Among New York Parents
For Immediate Release:
July 7, 2026
Contact: [email protected]
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Coalition to Empower our Future today released new research finding that New York parents believe narrow approaches to youth mental health that ban or heavily restrict access to phones and technology could create unintended negative consequences for young people. The findings reveal strong support for comprehensive approaches to youth mental health and digital literacy initiatives that help families navigate an increasingly digital world.
“New York parents, myself included, want to be part of the solution to youth mental health challenges,” said Glen Weiner, executive director of the Coalition to Empower our Future. “They want resources, guidance and support that equips everyone to thrive in today’s digital age and are rightly wary of overly broad restrictions or bans that may have unintended consequences.”
The survey findings show that nearly four-in-five New York parents agree that approaches focused on banning or heavily restricting youth access to phones and technology could have negative unintended consequences. Parents participating in the research said that broad technology restrictions may overlook the many factors contributing to youth mental health challenges and could create new concerns around safety, communication and preparedness. Examples of New York parents’ concerns include:
- “Speaking from my own experience, I was open with [my parents] about what I was doing. Bans, with no questions asked, are not a good solution because it’ll be like ‘okay, I’m not allowed to do this, so now I have more of an inclination to do this.’”
- “I don’t think [banning phones] is enough on its own, and I can say for myself, living in a household where I wasn’t allowed to have a phone and social media didn’t stop me from having a phone and social media. Kids are going to get around that.”
Rather than focusing on a single cause or solution, New York parents believe improving youth mental health requires a coordinated effort across multiple fronts. More than three-quarters support a comprehensive approach that includes support from parents, educators, healthcare providers and community leaders. Examples of what New York parents conveyed:
- “We have to come up with the solutions together with psychiatrists, with therapists, [with] scientists. We have to all [do it] together.”
- “It takes a village. It’s more than a school or a parent. It takes help and resources.”
The research found near-universal agreement that young people and parents need better tools to navigate rapidly evolving technologies. Nine-in-10 New York parents agree that young people should be taught how to use emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) safely and responsibly. Parents also overwhelmingly agree that parents themselves should receive education and resources to help guide their children’s technology use.
Parents repeatedly stressed that preparing young people to engage with technology responsibly is more effective than attempting to remove technology from their lives altogether. Participants described digital literacy, parental involvement and comprehensive mental health support as critical components of any successful long-term solution.
The full research findings can be found HERE.
The research, conducted in April 2026 in partnership with Mercury Analytics, included a survey of 600 New York parents and live conversations with parents across the state.
About the Coalition to Empower our Future
Coalition to Empower our Future is an organization bringing together a range of voices to fully inform solutions that empower youth, parents, communities, and society. The Coalition to Empower our Future supports solutions that are inclusive of the full spectrum of factors impacting youth mental health. Former Montana Governor Steve Bullock, former U.S. Representative Carlos Curbelo, and Dr. Caroline Carney, a board-certified psychiatrist and internist, serve on the board of directors of the Coalition to Empower our Future.
To learn more, visit empowerourfuturecoalition.com or follow Coalition to Empower our Future on Facebook, X and YouTube.
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