However, parents say they average over 80 minutes a day with all age groups. Although most families break bread together regularly, there are still a large number who cannot find the time for family meals. Family time is tied with education for first place on the teens list of concerns. Teens of all ages are concerned by the lack of quality time with their parents. A substantial percentage of parents and teenagers report that teens spend more of their free time watching television and using computers than they do interacting with their parents.
Parents underestimate the time their teens spend in front of the television.
Parents often say that they frequently monitor their teen s time in front of the TV and on the Internet, but their children don t agree. Many parents feel the time they spend with their teens is inadequate. Fathers have a bigger disconnect with their teenagers than mothers. The influence of friends is a recurring theme. The impact peers have on forming values increases steadily as teens get older.