One in 10 parents fakes a bathroom break on vacation just to be alone. How to Make Family Travel Safer (Digitally, Too)

It's official: it takes parents more than two days to recover from a family vacation. Not just physically, but emotionally — and sometimes digitally.

A new survey of 2,000 parents with kids under 12 found that it takes an average of 2.4 days for them to feel like themselves again after a trip. Sure, family holidays are full of memories — but they also come with arguments, tears, exhaustion, and the desperate hope that this time, the kids will nap in the car.

One in three parents says the peace doesn't even last an hour when traveling. Whether it's backseat bickering, a missed snack window, or a full-blown meltdown in the airport security line, the stress adds up fast.

So it's no surprise that 26% of parents say they hand over devices with unlimited screen time just to survive the journey. But at the same time, many are actively trying to unplug. In fact, 70% said non-screen entertainment is important — with audio content, activity books, and family-led games topping their travel wish lists.

Related: When Should a Child Get Their First Smartphone?

Creative Parenting on the Go: More Tools from the Family Travel Survival Kit

To keep things from falling apart mid-trip, many parents tap into their creative side. About 30% say they've used candy as a bargaining chip, and 28% admit to buying surprise toys along the way to keep things calm. Others rely on imagination: 19% have made up songs, while 16% invent stories on the spot to keep kids entertained.

While screens and snacks still have their place, more parents are turning to tools that don't lead to digital overload. Sixty-two percent say they've used a children's audio player during travel — proof that music, storytelling, and soundscapes are becoming go-to solutions for smoother journeys. In fact, 43% use music specifically to help their children relax.

But the effort it takes to keep everyone content comes at a cost. One in ten parents say they've pretended to need the bathroom just to cry or breathe. And 71% say they often come home feeling like they need another vacation to recover from the one they just had.

Ways Parents Keep the Peace

• Bribed them with candy or snacks (30%)
• Bought a toy (28%)
• Made up a game (27%)
• Carried them because they didn't want to walk (26%)
• Let them have screen time with no limits (26%)
• Promised them a treat or outing when they get home (26%)
• Fed them a treat as a meal (e.g. French fries for breakfast or cake for dinner) (25%)
• Made up a song (19%)
• Made up a story (16%)
• Faked a bathroom break to cry or breathe alone (11%)
• Let them wear pajamas or a costume in public (10%)

Smart Digital Practices for Safer Family Holidays

Screens can save the day on a long trip, but they also come with risks if you're not careful. Here are a few quick tips to help keep your family's digital life safe while you're away:

• Avoid public Wi-Fi without a VPN

Public networks in hotels, airports, and cafes can be easy targets for cybercriminals. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your connection, protecting your family's personal data. Bitdefender includes a VPN in all paid plans.

• Turn off auto-connect to Wi-Fi

Make sure your devices don't automatically join unfamiliar networks — especially your child's tablet or phone.

• Keep devices updated

Before you leave, install any system or app updates on your kids' devices. These often include important security patches.

• Set up Parental Controls before departure

Even if you plan to be offline, it's smart to preload apps, games, and videos, and internet time limits and filters in advance — so you're not scrambling mid-meltdown in an airport lounge.

• Be mindful of sharing photos or locations in real time

Avoid tagging your location or posting updates while you're still away. It can reveal that your home is empty or attract unwanted attention.

• Enable device tracking and "Find My" tools

If your child has a phone or tablet, make sure tracking is enabled in case the device gets lost or left behind.

• Disable location permissions for apps not in use

Many apps request access to your location unnecessarily. Turn off location access for anything your child won't need while traveling.

• Talk to your kids about privacy on the road

Especially if they're old enough to share pictures or use messaging apps, remind them not to talk to strangers online or share hotel names, locations, or routines during the trip.

Related: A Family-Friendly Digital Hygiene Check-Up for Summer

Make Internet Time Safer — and More Flexible — with Just a Few Taps

If you know you'll need screens to keep the peace during a trip (and most of us do), setting up parental controls ahead of time can make all the difference. Bitdefender Parental Control  helps you:

• Filter content automatically, so you don't have to watch over their shoulder.
• Set internet time schedules that match your holiday routine — whether that means a little tablet time after lunch, during long drives, or before bedtime in a new time zone.
• Block specific apps or categories, especially useful if your child tends to explore on their own.
• Track your child's location during rest stops or airport layovers, so you always know they're safe.

It works across all major devices — iPad, Android, laptop — so your child's digital space stays protected wherever the journey takes you.

And once you're home, you can easily switch back to your usual routine. Adjust settings based on school days, nap times, or even a family-wide digital reset. With Bitdefender, screen time becomes something you manage, not something you fight over.

Try Bitdefender Parental Control  — it's included in all Family Plans and helps turn internet time into safe time, both on the road and at home.

That's one less thing to worry about — so you can focus on the road ahead (or that well-earned nap when you finally walk through the door).