Parents Cite Screen Time

A new national survey found parents most often blame time, lack of interest, and screen use when young adults are not getting enough exercise. (mottpoll.org) The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, released April 20, surveyed parents about children ages 18 to 25. Parents said 26% of those young adults were very active, 41% moderately active, 28% minimally active, and 5% inactive. (mottpoll.org) Asked what gets in the way, parents most often named lack of time at 36%, followed by lack of interest at 23% and screen time or gaming at 17%. Parents of minimally active or inactive young adults were much more likely to cite lack of interest, 57% versus 7%, and screen use, 31% versus 11%. (mottpoll.org) The age group matters because structured exercise often falls away after high school. The poll said organized sports and “active fun” were more common for ages 18 to 20, while work-related activity was more common for ages 21 to 25. (mottpoll.org) Federal guidance sets a much higher bar earlier in childhood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 should get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day, while children ages 3 to 5 should be active throughout the day. (cdc.gov) National data show many children miss that target well before they reach young adulthood. The 2024 United States Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth said only 20% to 28% of 6- to 17-year-olds meet the daily guideline, and gave overall youth physical activity a D-minus. (news.childrensmercy.org) Screen use has also been tied to other health measures, though the federal research describes those links as associations rather than proof of cause. A 2025 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found teenagers with 4 or more hours of daily non-schoolwork screen time were more likely to report infrequent physical activity, irregular sleep, weight concerns, depression symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. (cdc.gov) Parents in the Mott poll said they are already trying to push activity at home. Seventy-three percent said they gave verbal encouragement, 61% suggested options to try, and 50% said they did an activity with their child. (mottpoll.org) Those efforts often look weakest where the problem is biggest. Parents of minimally active or inactive young adults were more likely to say their encouragement was not successful, and 69% of them said low activity could cause health problems later. (mottpoll.org)