What parents think kids are texting

Just about everybody has a smartphone these days, which is why apps that help people manage their social media keep springing up. Two popular ones are the American app WhatsApp, which lets you message for free from anywhere and Israel-based messaging app Viber, which lets you delete already-sent messages.

Thanks to this universal communication, mothers and fathers can't help but wonder what's going on with their kids' smartphones. A recent Qualtrics study decided to turn the tables and study the parents studying their kids. It found parents think kids are ...

Feeling pretty awesome about themselves

https://youtu.be/Exe0IEB3hKs?t=14s

Parents are four times more likely to say that social media helps their kids' self-esteem. After all, everything looks shiny when you can decide what your life looks like to the world. (Ironically, lots of people are going offline in order to avoid the self-esteem pitfalls they think come from social media. Apparently the jury's still out on the whole thing.)

Looking for love (or, you know, whatever)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6-UftBHk9A

30% of parents think their kids are using dating apps. Which isn't all that surprising, considering the number of dating apps out there, from 4 Singles, an app headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel that matches people based on location, to MyLOL, an American app created specifically for teens. Maybe it's finally easier to navigate the high school dating scene! Maybe ...

Getting hot and heavy, in their minds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYKmIz11dVc

Not that such thoughts are anything new for teens — or you know, anybody — but 38% of parents think children are probably sexting.

Being this guy

https://youtu.be/95_DB6GgLQs?t=25s

24% of parents think their kids are being cyberbullied. Though if every teen movie ever made is any indication, bullying is probably not a technology-specific activity.

Getting smart

Young students at school work with their iPads. (Photo: Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images)

Maybe teachers should rethink their "no phones in the classroom" policies, because 75% of parents say technology is a net positive for children's educations.

Losing them

This is when getting the super-duper phone insurance plan starts to seem like a good idea in retrospect. (Photo: cunaplus/Shutterstock)

56% of parents think kids will likely break or lose their smartphones. Hopefully, they'll get their self-esteem boosts, brainpower and fun in before that happens!