Free Family Digital Safety Resources

• Ages 8–12: 5–6 hours of screen use daily (outside schoolwork)
• Teens: 8–9+ hours daily
• Smartphone access: Over 50% of children own one by age 11; 95% of teens have access
   

“Digital exposure now rivals school and sleep as a primary environment for children’s growth.”
 

Sources:
Common Sense Media Census, 2025 | Pew Research Center, 2022

• 1 in 4 children are victims of identity theft 
• Children’s identities are 35x more likely to be misused than adults’
• Fraud often goes undetected for up to 7 years
   

“Children are easy targets — and the consequences can last for years if unaddressed.”
 

Sources:
Javelin Strategy & Research, 2020 | FTC: Protecting Your Child | Identity Theft Resource Center

• Excessive screen use is linked to reduced attention span, increased impulsivity, and delayed executive function
• Frequent multitasking between apps can reduce sustained focus by up to 40%
   

“Technology shapes the developing brain — for better or worse.”
 

Source:
NIH ABCD Study

• Teens using social media 3+ hours daily are at double the risk of anxiety and depression
• 46% of teens report social media negatively affects body image
• 1 in 5 children experience cyberbullying
   

“Digital platforms influence mood, self-esteem, and emotional resilience from an early age.”
 

Sources:
U.S. Surgeon General Advisory, 2023 | Pew Research, 2025 

• Screen use within 1 hour of bedtime reduces melatonin by up to 23%
• Children with devices in bedrooms sleep 30–60 minutes less per night
   

“Healthy sleep is critical for emotional regulation, learning, and growth — yet screens often disrupt it.”
 

Sources:
AAP Screen Time Guidelines | Sleep Foundation

• Heavy digital interaction is linked to decreased face-to-face communication skills, empathy, and conflict resolution
   

“Screen time alone cannot teach critical social skills — intentional guidance is essential.”
 

Source:
APU, 2025