75% of Parents Use Phones During Family Dinners

Parents spend a lot of energy monitoring their children's screen time, but a surprising new study suggests they might want to check their own habits first.

Research published in JAMA Pediatrics found that over 75% of parents used their phones or other media during their last family meal. Their kids, ages 4 to 10, were slightly better behaved, with nearly 70% using devices during dinner.

The findings come from a survey of more than 350 parents at the University of Arizona. Lead researcher Cecilia Sada Garibay, a mother of four herself, hopes the data serves as a wake-up call.

"If you have your device and you're constantly checking it at the table, it can affect a valuable moment parents have with their children in the day," said Sada Garibay. She notes that in our busy world, dinner might be the only reliable time families have to connect.

The good news? Science shows those connections really matter. Families who regularly eat together without distractions enjoy healthier diets, lower rates of teen substance use, and greater emotional satisfaction overall.

Dr. Anne Fishel, who founded the Family Dinner Project at Harvard Medical School, explains that mealtimes create "an anchor, predictability, and a sense of identity." When parents put down their phones, kids feel prioritized and valued.

Why This Inspires

The researchers found an important distinction between different types of screen time. Watching "Jeopardy!" together on a big screen can actually bring families closer, creating shared moments and conversation starters.

The real problem is individual smartphone use, where each person scrolls through their own separate world. That isolating behavior has replaced what used to be shared family experiences.

Dr. Margie Skeer from Tufts University School of Medicine emphasizes that the food itself isn't the magic ingredient. "It's that family meals can provide a built-in space for checking in, sharing feelings, emotions," she said.

The researchers aren't demanding perfection from overwhelmed parents juggling soccer practice, dance class, and tutoring schedules. Even one distraction-free meal per week can foster belonging and well-being when families prioritize genuine connection over notifications.

Sometimes the simplest solutions create the biggest impact: put the phone down, pass the tacos, and actually talk to each other.