Parents set the example for children's screen habits. (© leszekglasner - stock.adobe.com)
Teens model screen habits after mom and dad
In a nutshell
- Parental screen habits directly influence teens’ media choices – parents who frequently use screens have children with 11% higher odds of consuming mature content
- Allowing screens in bedrooms is the strongest risk factor, associated with 44% higher odds of teens watching R-rated movies and playing mature video games
- Using screen time as punishment backfires, while consistent monitoring and reasonable limits are more effective at reducing mature content consumption
SAN FRANCISCO — Parents hoping to curb their teenagers’ consumption of mature media content might want to take a closer look at their own screen habits. A comprehensive new study from the University of California, San Francisco, reveals that parental behavior significantly influences whether young teens watch R-rated movies or play mature-rated video games like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto.
In one of the largest studies of its kind, researchers analyzed data from 10,054 early adolescents aged 12-13. The findings, published in BMC Pediatrics, demonstrate clear connections between specific parenting practices and teen media consumption habits. When parents frequently use screens around their children, allow screens during meals or in bedrooms, or use screen time as punishment, teens are more likely to engage with mature content.
Looking at the numbers specifically, parents who model heavy screen use had children with 11% higher odds of watching R-rated movies and playing mature-rated video games. Even more notable, allowing screens in bedrooms was associated with 44% higher odds of accessing mature content. Family mealtime screen use increased the odds by 19% for R-rated movies and 26% for mature video games.
Using screen time restrictions as punishment was linked to 6% higher odds of watching R-rated movies and 12% higher odds of playing mature video games. However, offering screen time as a reward was associated with slightly lower rates of R-rated movie watching. Parents who consistently monitored and limited overall screen time saw lower rates of mature media use among their teens.
The study comes at a time when many families are grappling with screen time management. Previous research has linked exposure to mature media content with various concerns in adolescents, including poorer mental health, decreased school performance, and problematic behaviors. R-rated movies often contain violence, strong language, and adult themes, while mature-rated video games frequently include combat, realistic violence, and complex moral scenarios.
“Bedroom screen use emerged as the strongest predictor of mature media consumption,” says lead author Dr. Jason M. Nagata, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, in a statement. “When children have unrestricted access to screens, particularly in the privacy of their bedrooms, it opens the door to unchecked exposure to age-inappropriate content.”
Family meals present another crucial touchpoint. The research suggests that allowing screens during mealtimes might normalize constant media consumption and reduce opportunities for family conversation and monitoring. Screen-free meals could provide valuable chances for parents to connect with their teens and stay aware of their interests and activities.
In families with higher income and education levels, parental limits on screen time showed stronger effects in reducing mature content consumption. This might reflect different resources and approaches available to parents in various socioeconomic situations.
Male teens showed stronger associations between certain parenting practices and mature media use compared to females. For instance, the impact of bedroom screen use and parental monitoring was more pronounced among boys. This gender difference might reflect varying interests in certain types of mature content or different parental approaches based on gender.
While restricting screen access as punishment was linked to increased mature content consumption, using it as a reward showed some promise in reducing R-rated movie watching. This suggests that positive reinforcement might be more effective than punitive measures when it comes to managing teen media use.
When parents frequently use screens around their children, they may unintentionally communicate that constant media consumption is normal or acceptable. This modeling effect extends beyond just the amount of screen time to the types of content consumed and when and where screens are used.
“Children often model their screen habits after their parents, so setting a positive example can make a big difference,” says Nagata.
So, what can parents do? Maintaining screen-free bedrooms and mealtimes could help reduce exposure to mature content. Consistent monitoring and reasonable limits appear more effective than using screen time as a bargaining chip. Perhaps most importantly, parents might consider how their own media habits influence their children’s choices.
The findings also underscore the importance of open communication about media use. Rather than implementing strict rules without explanation, parents might discuss their concerns about mature content with their teens and work together to establish reasonable boundaries. This collaborative approach could help teens develop their own media literacy and decision-making skills.
These insights arrive during a period of unprecedented access to screens and mature content. With streaming services, gaming platforms, and mobile devices making media constantly available, parents face new challenges in guiding their teens’ media choices. This research provides evidence-based direction for families navigating these digital waters.
Paper Summary
Methodology
The researchers analyzed survey responses from 10,054 young teens and their parents participating in the ABCD Study. Parents answered questions about their screen-related parenting approaches, rating their agreement with various statements on a 4-point scale. These responses were grouped into six categories: screen time modeling, mealtime screen use, bedroom screen use, using screens to control behavior, parental monitoring, and limiting screen time. Meanwhile, teens reported how often they watched R-rated movies or played mature-rated video games, from “never” to “all the time.”
Results
Parents who used screens frequently around their kids, allowed screens during meals or in bedrooms, or used screen time as punishment had children more likely to consume mature content. Specifically, bedroom screen access was linked to 44% higher odds, while parental screen use and mealtime screen use were associated with 11-26% higher odds. Consistent monitoring and limiting of screen time were associated with lower mature content consumption. Using screen time as a reward was linked to slightly lower R-rated movie watching, while using it as punishment backfired.
Limitations
The research had several limitations: it was cross-sectional (meaning it captured just one point in time rather than tracking changes over time), relied on self-reported data which could be biased, and didn’t account for all possible factors that might influence teen media use. The study also overlapped with the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have affected screen time patterns. Additionally, it didn’t capture mature content consumption through social media or whether teens watched content alone or with others.
Discussion and Takeaways
The study highlights how parental media habits and rules significantly impact teens’ content choices. Rather than using punitive approaches, parents may find more success with consistent monitoring and limiting of screen time while modeling healthy media use themselves. The findings support keeping bedrooms and mealtimes screen-free, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Funding and Disclosures
The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. The authors declared no competing interests.
Publication Information
The study “Associations between media parenting practices and early adolescent consumption of R-rated movies and mature-rated video games” was published in BMC Pediatrics (2025) 25:90 by Nagata et al.
