How Socio-Economic Access Can Shape Youth Tech Use
- The White Hatter
- Jul 28
- 4 min read
Parents and caregivers are being bombarded in the media to worry about how much time their youth or teen spends on screens. It’s a fair concern, and yes excessive and unsupervised tech use can sometimes interfere with sleep, physical activity, face-to-face interaction, and other key developmental needs. However, what often gets missed in these conversations is the “why” behind the screen time, especially when we start looking through the lens of socio-economic inequality.
In our work at The White Hatter, we have anecdotally observed a noticeable trend, that being youth and teens from higher-income families generally spend less recreational time on their devices compared to youth from lower-income households. This isn’t because wealthier families are better at managing screen time. It’s because they can afford to offer their children a broader range of offline activities that naturally compete with digital engagement. Things like sports, music lessons, art programs, summer camps, travel, and structured volunteer opportunities all cost money. It is important to note that our anecdotal observations are also supported by the research (1)(2)
These extracurricular experiences offer connection, identity development, challenge, and enrichment, for families with the means to pay for them. However, for families already stretched covering basic needs like food, housing, and childcare, these kinds of extracurriculars can feel out of reach. That leaves devices, which are affordable (depending on the device), accessible, and always available, as the default option for entertainment, learning, and social connection for some youth and teens.
It’s not uncommon to hear people say that if a youth or teens is spending too much time online, it must be due to poor parenting or a lack of discipline. However, this kind of framing misses the bigger picture, not every family has access to the same resources or opportunities. Some caregivers are working multiple jobs with little time or energy left over. Others live in neighbourhoods with limited public programming or no safe outdoor spaces. In those situations, suggesting that a parent simply “get their kid off their phone” is not only unhelpful, it’s unfair.
It’s also worth pointing out that not all tech use is negative. We have met youth and teens who use their devices to run small businesses, create digital art, build apps, or connect with friends in healthy, meaningful ways. Some use the internet to find communities they can not access locally, whether related to culture, identity, or mental health support. These examples challenge the idea that all screen use is shallow, harmful, or escapist. The real issue isn’t technology itself, it’s when screens become the only outlet for exploration, creativity, and belonging because other options are either unaffordable or unavailable.
This is why we need to approach the issue of screen use with more empathy and less judgment. A youth or teen spending hours online doesn’t always signal indulgence or neglect. It may be the result of limited alternatives. For example, a youth or teen who can’t afford to join a sports league or attend a summer camp might be gaming or streaming because that’s what’s accessible. What looks like “overuse” is sometimes just a youth or teen doing the best they can to meet their social and emotional needs with the tools they have. It’s not a failure of parenting, it’s a reflection of an opportunity gap.
Addressing this gap requires more than advice aimed at individual families. It calls for investment in public and community programs that provide low or no cost activities for youth and teens. Recreation centres, libraries, local non-profits, and grassroots initiatives all play a role in creating spaces where youth and teens can connect, grow, and thrive offline. These aren’t luxuries, they’re essential supports, especially for families with fewer financial options. Yet ironically, when budgets tighten, these programs are often the first to be cut, even though they serve as lifelines for so many.
We also need more partnerships between school districts and city governments to offer after school and weekend programming that is consistent, inclusive, and accessible. These types of efforts can go a long way in providing youth and teens with alternatives to screen time, especially during critical hours when parental supervision isn’t always possible.
At the same time, parents and caregivers can help their youth or teen use tech more intentionally rather than reactively. Not all screen use has to be about consumption. There are free online resources that teach youth and teens how to code, draw, write, and collaborate with others on meaningful projects. Helping youth tap into the creative and educational side of technology reframes the conversation. It’s not just about turning screens off, it’s about using them on purpose.
Ultimately, the question we should be asking isn’t just, “How much time are youth and teens spending online?” but “Why are they online so much, and what’s missing from their offline lives?” When we see screen use as a symptom rather than the root issue, we open the door to more effective, compassionate solutions.
Not every youth or teen is starting from the same place, and not every family has the same financial bandwidth or resources to create tech-free moments. Sometimes what looks like “bad parenting” is really just parents or caregivers doing the best they can with what they have, context is everything.
If we’re serious about helping youth and teens build healthier relationships with technology, we have to start by making sure they have access to the kinds of real offline opportunities that support their growth, regardless of how much their family can afford.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech
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