Three-in-Four Texas Parents Believe Phone and Technology Bans Could Have Unintended Consequences
New Survey and Parent Conversations Find Texas Parents Favor Comprehensive Solutions and Practical Digital Literacy Tools Over Narrow Restrictions
For Immediate Release:
July 7, 2026
Contact: [email protected]
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Coalition to Empower our Future today released new research showing that Texas parents believe narrowly focused approaches to youth mental health that ban or heavily restrict access to phones and technology could have unintended negative consequences for young people. The findings point to strong support for a more balanced approach that addresses the different pressures affecting young people’s mental health while giving families, schools and communities practical ways to help kids use technology safely and responsibly.
“Parents in Texas and across the country know their kids are growing up in a different world than they did and want practical ways to help young people navigate it safely and confidently,” said Glen Weiner, executive director of the Coalition to Empower our Future. “This research shows strong support for solutions that educate, empower and support families rather than relying on blanket restrictions that an overwhelming majority of Texas parents worry may carry unintended negative consequences.”
According to the survey, three-in-four Texas parents agree that approaches focused on banning or heavily restricting youth access to phones and technology could have negative unintended consequences. Texas parents participating in the focus groups expressed concerns that sweeping restrictions could be counterproductive, particularly for young people who rely on technology for connection, communication and self-expression. Below are some examples of their concerns:
- “I’ve got family in [the] middle of nowhere. When they’re online, they’re able to communicate… And I’ve got friends that I’ve known for two decades that I met online. I could definitely see bans impacting people who don’t have another way to reach out.”
- “Having a daughter on the spectrum, the technology is what helps bring her out of her shell sometimes. It helps her express and be creative.”
They also emphasized that youth mental health challenges are driven by a range of factors and require a broad response. Nearly three-in-four Texas parents support a comprehensive approach to improving youth mental health and wellbeing rather than focusing on a single factor. Parents pointed to issues such as social isolation, bullying, academic pressure and other challenges as important contributors to young people’s wellbeing.
The research also found overwhelming support for digital literacy education. More than four-in-five Texas parents agree that young people should be taught how to use emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) safely and responsibly, while nine-in-10 believe parents themselves should receive education and resources to help guide their children’s technology use.
Parents consistently emphasized the importance of helping young people become responsible technology users rather than assuming they will learn these skills on their own. Participants expressed strong support for digital literacy initiatives, including teacher training programs, digital wellness resources for families, social media literacy curricula and online safety education.
The full research findings can be found HERE.
The research, conducted in April 2026 in partnership with Mercury Analytics, included a survey of 600 Texas 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.
###
