• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, August 24, 2018

It’s not just adults -- teenagers are realizing they spend too much time on the mobile devices, according to a poll by Pew Research Center.

But does this mean they are also spending too much time on traditional TV? The research didn’t say. But traditional TV executives might want to know.

The Pew poll said 52% of teens are cutting back on their mobile phone use, as well as slowing down on social media (57%) and video games (58%).

In a separate study, when Pew polled 1,000 parents of teens, 57% said they set limits on teens' mobile screen time.  No surprise here. (Some 36% of parents also said they spend too much time on mobile screens.)

Traditional TV? In the first quarter of this year, Nielsen reports that 18-34s spent 2 hours/17 minutes a day watching live and time-shifted TV -- less than the average of 4 hours/46 minutes when it comes to adults 18+.

Perhaps we also need to account for internet-connected TV. Young people do watch. Nielsen says teens ages 12-17 spent 1 hour/4 minutes a day viewing, while those 18-34 spent 1 hour/15 minutes. These results are generally higher than for older adults. For example, 51 minutes were spent viewing among 35- to-49-year-olds and 30 minutes for 50- to-64-year-olds.

History does repeat itself here -- at least with regard to the media.

For decades, media experts, educators, psychologists and other professionals have worried about TV viewing trends. They believe young people should spend more time interacting with others and doing physical activities or homework.

The society at large has long been concerned about viewing controversial content — whether it is teens or adults. The interesting point here: There is introspection. And that's good news.