3 in 4 US teens say they are happy or peaceful without their smartphone

Survey by the Pew Research Centre comes amid growing push to regulate children’s access to digital platforms.

Nearly three out of four teenagers in the United States say they feel happy or peaceful when they do not have their smartphone with them, a survey has found, underscoring concerns about the effects of digital media on minors.

But despite their positive associations with putting their smartphone away, only 36 percent of teens reported cutting back on using their devices, the survey by the Pew Research Centre showed on Monday.

Overall, 38 percent of teens reported spending too much time on their smartphone, compared with 51 percent who said their time spent was “about right,” with girls more likely than boys to consider their use excessive.

Teens reported similar experiences with social media, with 39 percent saying they had reduced their exposure and 27 percent reporting their use was excessive.

When it came to learning social skills, 42 percent said that smartphones had made it harder, compared with 30 percent who said they helped.