By Susan Anable | Thoughts on Innovation
Like millions of Americans in the often-labeled Sandwich Generation — those of us ages 39 to 59 have had to balance careers while caring for both children and aging parents —I feel the weight of protecting my family across three generations.
According to Cox Mobile’s recent Sandwich Generation survey, Online Habits and Safety Concerns Across Three Generations, 86% of people in my position are stressed by managing cybersecurity for both parents and kids. I am not surprised. Each group faces very different risks. It often falls on us, the harried, overworked Gen Xers, to help them navigate.
Protecting our children
As parents, our concerns about kids’ online safety are immediate and constant. Nearly two-thirds of Sandwich Generation respondents worry about children being exposed to online predators (64%) or viewing inappropriate content (63%). Social media, online gaming, and endless scrolling make it feel like there’s no “off” switch.
The good news is that conversations are happening. The survey shows 58% of parents in my age group discuss online safety with their kids several times a week, and 67% of teens are opening up when they encounter issues online. These talks aren’t optional. Rather, they’re essential lifelines in a digital environment that can be overwhelming for a teenager.
Protecting our parents
No sooner are we finished monitoring our children’s screen time than a new concern arrives in the inbox: our parents. For seniors, the dangers are often financial. Sixty percent of the Sandwich Generation say they worry about their parents being victims of identity theft, while 59% are concerned about phishing, malware, and data breaches.
These aren’t abstract worries. Older adults can be prime targets for scammers, and the sophistication of online fraud is only increasing. Many seniors are new to digital banking, online shopping, or telehealth platforms, which can make them vulnerable. Teaching a parent to spot a suspicious link or reminding them not to share personal details over text, emails or on social media has become part of my family’s routine.
The stress in the middle
It’s not just about kids and parents; it’s about us too. The survey found that 65% of the Sandwich Generation spend five to eight hours a day on connected devices. This is far more than both teens (37%) and seniors (41%).
Between work, family management, and caregiving, our tether to technology creates more exposure and vulnerabilities for us. That means we’re managing our own risks while trying to shield others, leaving little space to disconnect. When nearly nine in ten of us report stress over digital safety, it underscores the need for broader awareness and shared responsibility. Overtired, overstressed parents are more likely to miss the threats or make a mistake themselves. It’s important to acknowledge that digital safety can’t rest solely on the shoulders of one generation.
What can be done
The takeaway is clear: online safety spans generations, requiring us to guide our kids and support our parents alike. For children, open dialogue and monitoring matter.
For parents, patience, education, and consistent reminders can make a big difference. And for those of us in the middle, we need to recognize the stress we carry and lean on resources, from utilizing built-in device protections to resources provided by trusted internet providers, to help manage the load.
The Sandwich Generation is learning this lesson in real time, juggling the responsibilities of three generations at once.
By talking openly, setting boundaries, and using the right tools, we can turn digital anxiety into digital resilience and make the internet safer for every generation we care about.
