Why children are talking less to parents and more to AI, according to Vivo’s Switch Off Report

Dinner time is still the strongest moment of connection for families, but phones often get in the way.
The study shows that dinner remains the one time of day when families naturally come together. About 72% of children say they spend the most time with their parents during dinner. Yet, phones are a major distraction. Seventy two percent of parents and 30% of children say parents checking their phones at the dining table is the biggest conversation killer. When phones are kept aside, dinner turns into a genuine bonding moment where conversations flow more freely and everyone feels heard.

Phone-free moments make conversations easier and relationships warmer.
Both parents and children agree that conversations feel more meaningful when smartphones are not around. An overwhelming 91% of children say they find it easier to talk when phones are kept aside. No-phone dinners especially stand out, with children saying they feel more comfortable opening up and parents noticing stronger emotional bonding. Even small habits, like keeping phones away during meals or turning off notifications, help families reconnect in simple but powerful ways.

Many children are turning to AI because they feel their parents are too busy.
One of the most striking findings is that 67% of children say they turn to AI tools because their parents are busy. For some, AI has become a source of learning, guidance, and even companionship. About one in four children say they now speak less with their parents because of AI. This shift highlights how emotional availability, not just screen time, shapes where children seek connection.

Parents and children use smartphones very differently, and children notice it.
The study shows that parents spend more time on their phones than children, often through frequent work-related check-ins. Children, on the other hand, use phones mainly for entertainment and downtime and are more willing to put them away when they feel acknowledged. Teens say even brief phone checks by parents break conversations mid-sentence, making them feel ignored. These small moments add up and widen emotional distance.

Families want balance and are actively trying to rebuild connection.
Encouragingly, parents and children share the same goal: fewer interruptions and deeper presence. Many families are already taking steps like limiting screen time, blocking social media during certain hours, or creating phone-free zones at home. The Switch Off Report reinforces vivo’s larger message that technology should support real relationships, not replace them. Small, mindful changes are helping families feel more present, more connected, and more in control.