New Survey Reveals that Parents and Kids Agree: State of Families in America Is Grim

SAN FRANCISCO, March 23, 2026—Common Sense Media, Echelon Insights, and Lake Research Partners today unveiled a new survey exploring kids' and parents' attitudes, hopes and fears about the future, views of the current administration and government at all levels, and the solutions that they support. "The State of Kids and Families in America 2026" found that despite political divisions, parents and kids alike share deep concerns about mental health, economic stability, and technology, and they support the same goals to improve the lives of families, including improving K-12 education and online safety.

The findings show a nation at a pivotal moment for youth well-being, with rapid technological change, an ongoing mental health crisis, and economic pressures compounding the day-to-day challenges families already face. A striking 54 percent of parents say things are going "just fair" or "poor" for families like theirs, and 56 percent of kids and teens say the same. Over half of parents and over two-thirds of kids and teens feel their voice doesn't matter in government decisions. There is an overwhelming consensus on the need for action from policymakers, with 9 in 10 parents and kids wanting lawmakers to prioritize policies that benefit young people. Research from First Focus on Children found that less than 2 percent of federal spending in 2025 supported children under 3, a decrease of 20 percent since 2021.

"Our political landscape may be divided, but American families are in lockstep when it comes to their concerns and support for solutions for our kids," said Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer. "Their message to lawmakers is clear: investing in the next generation must come first. The well-being of our kids isn't a Democratic issue or a Republican issue; it's an American issue."

The poll's other key findings include:

• Parents face worsening economic struggles: Half of parents of a child under 18 say their ability to afford the things they need to buy for their children is getting worse compared to last year.
• Parents and kids are split in their concerns about the future: Nearly 8 in 10 parents are concerned about children's future opportunities, and only a third feel confident that their kids will be able to afford a house, a college education or post-secondary job training , or afford to have children. In contrast, majorities of kids and teens are confident that they will someday be able to afford to have children, a house, and postsecondary education.

Education and mental health care are priorities for families: More than half of parents say better schools, better access to mental health care, and free preschool would make American children's lives much better.

• Mental health is still in crisis: 54 percent of kids and teens rate peers' mental health as "fair" or "poor," and 58 percent say schools are not doing enough to support mental health.
• Boys are more optimistic than girls: Only 38% of girls think things are going "excellent" or "good" for kids and teens today, compared to nearly half of boys.

"Our findings paint a picture of unity in a world of division," said Echelon Insights partner and co-founder Kristen Soltis Anderson. "Families of all political stripes are clearly united in both their concerns about the future and their desire for more policies that support kids."

Despite an overall pessimistic attitude toward the current government, families across the country and across party lines support policy measures that uplift children, highlighting that even in a divided political landscape, there is clear unity on practical solutions that improve families' lives.

The full report is available here.

About Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the research-backed information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the age of apps, algorithms, and AI. We rate, educate, and advocate to protect and prepare kids online. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150 million users globally, over 1.4 million educators, and more than 100,000 schools worldwide every year. Learn more at commonsense.org.