They’re called the sandwich generation, those in their late 30s to 50s juggling teenagers and aging parents, and they’re feeling the pressure when it comes to digital safety. Connecting the Digital Dots: Online Habits and Safety Concerns Across Three Generations, a new survey from Cox Mobile shows that 86% of this cohort feels managing online safety for their children and parents adds stress to their lives. Nearly 1 in 3 say that stress can feel overwhelming.
Why it Matters: Worries are turning into reality. Online predators, inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and identity theft top the list of concerns for those in the sandwich generation.
When it comes to their teens:
- Roughly one in three respondents report that their teens have been exposed to inappropriate content over the past 12 months.
- More than a quarter have experienced cyberbullying.
- 20% encountered online predators.
And for their parents:
- More than a third said that their parents had experienced phishing scams, malware, and/or data breaches in the last year.
- 60% are worried about the risk of identity theft.
Across the board, respondents consider social media one of the greatest threats to online safety.
“Technology has incredible potential to foster connection, learning, and independence across all generations, but families shouldn’t have to navigate the digital landscape alone,” said Jill Murphy, chief content officer at Common Sense Media. “When we equip parents and caregivers with practical tools and knowledge, digital safety becomes less overwhelming and more integrated into everyday family life.”
Additional Findings and Resources:
Beyond the Sandwich Generation, Connecting the Digital Dots reveals how teens and older adults are navigating screen time, social media, mental health, and AI use.
To view the full findings and access online safety resources, visit www.coxmobilesafety.com.
About the Connecting the Digital Dots Survey
Cox Communications commissioned a blind survey of U.S. teens, seniors, and the sandwich generation in May of 2025 to learn more about their online habits and safety concerns. Respondents to the survey included a total of 500 teens between the ages of 13 and 17, 500 seniors aged 65+, and 600 parents (ages 39 – 59) of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 with aging parents. The margin of error for this survey is +/-4% for each age group.
