The SlateMate Survey: What Indian Families Told Us About Digital Childhood

Listening Before Building

Before building technology, we listened. In early 2025, SlateMate launched a nationwide survey — reaching over 500 families from metros and tier-2 towns. We wanted to understand not just "how much" children were online, but how they felt about it. What we found wasn't just statistics — it was emotion.

The Findings

More than 78% of parents admitted feeling anxious about their child's screen time but uncertain about setting boundaries. 63% of children confessed they sometimes felt "empty" or "disconnected" after scrolling social media. Yet, most said they didn't want their phones taken away — they wanted to "use them better."

Even more striking: 52% of parents wished for an AI system that could guide instead of punish — something that could talk to their child when they couldn't. That insight became the emotional foundation of eRaksha.

The Deeper Meaning

These numbers reveal more than habits; they reveal a relationship problem between families and technology. The issue isn't the screen — it's the silence that screens create between parent and child. SlateMate's mission is to bridge that silence with understanding, empathy, and intelligent guidance.

What We're Doing With It

The survey helped us personalize eRaksha's features — adding parent-friendly dashboards, emotion-based alerts, and behavior trends mapped to focus cycles. We're turning insights into action — ensuring that every data point leads to a healthier digital habit.

Final Thought

In a world obsessed with algorithms, we're obsessed with understanding humans.