40% of Girls Would Rather Skip Vacation Than Go Somewhere Without Internet Access: Poll

Many girls would rather skip vacation than go somewhere without wifi, according to a new poll.

New research commissioned by Girl Scouts of America examined the online habits of 1,000 young girls aged 5 to 13. In the poll, 41% of girls said they’d rather skip vacation than travel somewhere without internet access.

Researchers also asked about the motivating factors behind girls' online habits. More than half of them (56%) said it's because they are bored, while 46% say they feel pressured to maintain an online presence.

Still, they have no plans to unplug; 2 in 5 girls said they would reject the opportunity to disconnect.

The FOMO is real: Researchers found more than 50% of girls aged 11 to 13 reported feeling like they have to spend time online or risk being out of the loop with friends. Similarly, more than 30% of girls aged 8 to 10 feel like they’d be missing out without screen time. Even among young girls aged 5 to 7, 21% said they need to be online to stay connected with others. 

The research comes amid a reckoning that examines the impact of screen time and social media on kids. Australia has banned all forms of social media for children under the age of 16, citing a “mental health crisis.” Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said it presents a “profound risk” to children, and called for warning labels — akin to those on cigarettes — that “social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents."

But girls aren’t the only ones struggling with screen time: 52% said it's hard to get their parents’ attention because they’re distracted by their phones. And 64% of girls aged 8 to 10 say parents pay more attention to phones than to kids.

“This research is an important reminder to parents, caregivers and girls whose first instinct — conscious or not — is often to reach for a device,” Bonnie Barczykowski, CEO of Girl Scouts USA, said in the press release. “We know the power of real, in-person connection, and we also know the risks when girls spend too much time online comparing themselves to others or developing unhealthy habits. 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.”

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