New polling commissioned by Girl Scouts of America shows that a large share of U.S. girls between the ages of 5 and 13 now treat constant connectivity as a non-negotiable part of daily life-and they say their parents are just as tethered to their screens.
At a Glance
- 41% of girls 5-13 would rather skip a vacation than travel somewhere without internet
- Over half go online because they are bored; nearly half feel pressure to maintain an online presence
- 52% say they struggle to pull their parents’ attention away from phones
Why it matters: The data add new evidence that heavy device use cuts across generations, shaping family dynamics and girls’ mental health.
Girls Choose WiFi Over Getaways
The nationally representative survey questioned 1,000 girls. When offered a vacation in a location lacking WiFi, 41% preferred to stay home.
The youngest cohort is not immune:
- Ages 5-7: 21% feel they need screen time to stay connected
- Ages 8-10: 30% fear missing out without access
- Ages 11-13: More than 50% believe they must be online or risk social exclusion
Boredom and Pressure Drive Log-Ins
Researchers asked girls why they reach for phones or tablets:
- 56% cite boredom
- 46% feel pressure to keep up an online presence
- 2 in 5 reject the idea of intentionally unplugging
Mirror Effect: Parents Glued to Phones
Girls report competing with their caregivers’ screens:
- 52% say it is hard to get parents’ attention because of adult phone use
- Among 8- to 10-year-olds, that figure rises to 64%
Global Backdrop
The findings land while policymakers debate child tech limits:
- Australia has banned social media for children under 16, calling it a mental-health crisis
- Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy labeled social media a “profound risk” and urged cigarette-style warning labels for adolescents
Girl Scouts Urge Offline Re-Set
Bonnie Barczykowski, CEO of Girl Scouts USA, urged families to view free time as a chance to slow down:
> “This research is an important reminder to parents, caregivers and girls whose first instinct-conscious or not-is often to reach for a device. When girls and their families have extra time on their hands, remember it’s okay to slow down. Embrace it and choose activities that spark curiosity, build resilience and support girls’ well-being.”
Key Takeaways
- Constant connectivity now starts before kindergarten for many girls
- Fear of missing out intensifies sharply between ages 8 and 13
- Parental distraction by phones may reinforce children’s own heavy use
- Girl Scouts recommends deliberate offline activities to foster real-world bonds
