No WiFi, no trip. A new poll suggests internet access has become so essential for many young girls that some would rather stay home than vacation off the grid. Research commissioned by Girl Scouts of the USA surveyed 1,000 girls ages 5 to 13 and found that 41% said they would skip a vacation if it meant being without internet access. The study also looked at what is driving girls to stay online. More than half, 56%, said boredom is the main reason they use the internet, while 46% said they feel pressure to keep up an online presence. Disconnecting is not appealing either, with two in five girls saying they would turn down the chance to unplug. That pressure increases with age. More than 50% of girls ages 11 to 13 said they feel they have to be online to avoid being left out by friends. Among girls ages 8 to 10, over 30% said they would feel like they are missing out without screen time. Even in the youngest group, ages 5 to 7, 21% said they need to be online to stay connected. The findings arrive as concerns around kids, screen time, and mental health continue to grow. Australia has banned all forms of social media for children under 16, citing a “mental health crisis.” Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has warned that social media poses a “profound risk” to children and called for warning labels similar to those on cigarettes, saying “social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents. The report also highlights how kids view adult screen habits. Fifty-two percent of girls said it is hard to get their parents’ attention because parents are distracted by their phones. That number climbs to 64% among girls ages 8 to 10, who said parents pay more attention to phones than to their kids. “This research is an important reminder to parents, caregivers, and girls whose first instinct — conscious or not — is often to reach for a device,” Bonnie Barczykowski, CEO of Girl Scouts USA, said in the press release. “We know the power of real, in-person connection, and we also know the risks when girls spend too much time online comparing themselves to others or developing unhealthy habits. When girls and their families have extra time on their hands, remember it’s okay to slow down. Embrace it and choose activities that spark curiosity, build resilience, and support girls’ well-being.” The takeaway is straightforward. For many kids, being online feels non-negotiable. And that reality is reshaping how families think about downtime, attention, and connection.

A Minnesota man told Reuters on Monday he felt fear, shame and desperation a day after ICE officers broke down his door with guns drawn, handcuffed him and dragged him into the snow wearing shorts and Crocs.