Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast

Delaney Ruston, MD
  • 4.8 (165)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Biweekly

Join Delaney Ruston, MD — a leading authority on parenting in the screen age and the filmmaker behind the award-winning Screenagers movies — as she explores the challenges parents face raising kids in today's digital world: think smartphones, social media, video games, and more. Through interviews with experts, thought leaders, and young people themselves, Parenting in the Screen Age delivers the latest science, practical tips, and key insights that parents will want to implement — and share — with their kids and teens.

  1. 2d ago

    Tackling Problematic Social Media Use (encore)

    In this episode, host Dr. Delaney discusses problematic social media use with therapist and media addiction expert Tracy Markle. Tracy is the founder and co-director of the Digital Media Treatment and Education Center in Boulder, Colorado. Tracy explains the critical effects social media can have on teen mental health, particularly in girls and shares the therapeutic approaches she used in working with one teen girl in overcoming problematic social media. Markle employs a family system approach and shares insights on how she included the mom in the treatment approach.    Resources: Tracy Markle, MA, LPC founder of Digital Media   Additional Resources: How to bring the Screenagers movies to your community Screenagers Website   Time Code: 00:00 Introduction to Screenagers Podcast 01:41 The Impact of Social Media on Teens 02:38 Case Study: A High Schooler's Struggle 03:53 Therapeutic Approaches and Family Systems 05:56 Challenges and Consequences of Social Media Overuse 14:34 Motivational Interviewing and Setting Boundaries 29:25 Skill Building and Final Thoughts

  2. Oct 5

    Is Social Media Addiction A Real Thing? (encore)

    In this episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston explores social media addiction through the story of one young person, Lars, alongside insights from Anna Lembke, MD, chief of addiction medicine at Stanford, and longtime media researcher Douglas Gentile, PhD. Lars's story offers an intimate look at how social media can shape mental health and identity.  The episode examines the many ways compulsive social media use can take hold in a young person's life and digs into the science behind digital addiction. Dr. Ruston and her guests share practical guidance on how to tell when social media use has crossed into clinical addiction and, most importantly, how to help teens who are there, or teetering on the edge, break free.   Featured Experts Anna Lembke, MD Douglas Gentile, PhD   Other Resources Screenagers Website Bring Screenagers to Your Community

  3. Sep 21

    Raising The Amazing Generation: Helping Kids Become Wiser Tech Users (encore)

    In this episode, Dr Ruston is joined by journalist and author Catherine Price, author of How To Break Up With Your Phone. They discuss her 2026 book co-authored with Jonathan Haidt, 'The Amazing Generation,' aimed at empowering kids to be tech-savvy and foster real-world connections. The conversation includes practical tips for managing tech use in families and the concept of 'The Rebels Code' for kids to use technology wisely. In addition Price shares details about tech time limits with her 10 year old daughter.   Expert Catherine Price   Books The Amazing Generation by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price How To Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price   Other Resources Screenagers Website Bring Screenagers to Your Community   Time Code 00:00 Introduction to Parenting in the Screen Age 00:18 Meet Catherine Price: Breaking Up with Your Phone 01:11 The Genesis of The Amazing Generation 04:18 The Structure and Purpose of The Amazing Generation 06:21 Real-Life Applications and Parental Guidance 18:48 Practical Tips for Managing Screen Time 25:28 Conclusion and Resources

  4. Sep 7

    When Co-Parents Clash Over Screen Rules (encore)

    Struggling to get on the same page with your co-parent about screen time rules? Worried that enforcing boundaries might harm your relationship with your teen? In this episode, Delaney talks with renowned family psychologist and author Dr. Laura Kastner about the tricky, but crucial, process of setting and upholding screen time rules. Together, they explore a practical roadmap built around The Four Cs: Calm, Confidence, Co-Parent Unity, and Collaboration. Packed with relatable examples and expert-backed strategies, this conversation will help you navigate resistance and hold boundaries that support your child's emotional development and well-being.   Featured Expert Laura Kastner, PhD   Books Getting To Calm, by Laura Kastner, PhD Wise Minded Parenting, by Laura Kastner, PhD   Additional Resources: Screenagers Website Bring Screenagers to Your Community   Time Code 00:00 Understanding the Core Issue: Fear and Relationships 00:27 Introduction to Parenting in the Screen Age 00:45 Challenges of Setting Screen Time Boundaries 01:10 Real-Life Examples of Unpopular Rules 02:31 Interview with Dr. Laura Kasner: The Four Cs 02:58 Applying the Four Cs to Real Scenarios 04:45 Staying Calm and Confident 06:23 Co-Parenting and Collaboration 08:39 Handling Teen Reactions and Family Meetings 12:18 Polarization and Parental Unity 20:03 Concluding Thoughts and Resources

  5. Aug 24

    How One School's Bold Move to Lock Away Phones Transformed Learning (encore)

    What happens when a high school struggling with smartphone distractions takes a bold step and starts locking away all devices, midway through the school year? Even more unusual: the phones aren't just put away; they're locked up in classrooms for the entire day, except during lunch. Dr. Delaney interviews Principal Deanna Albert to explore how implementing 'Away for the Day' policies transformed both learning and social interactions at Hardin High School. Deanna shares the challenges and successes of making this shift, including how it improved student engagement, reduced distractions, and curbed social media-related issues.   Featured Expert Principal Deanna Albert   Additional Resources: Screenagers Website Bring Screenagers to Your Community   Additional Links Awayfortheday.org   Time Code 00:00 Introduction 00:15 About Screenagers & Away For The Day 01:04 Campaign Success and Challenges 01:38 Issues with Phone Policies in Schools 02:29 Interview with Principal Deanna Albert 04:42 Implementing the New Phone Policy 08:43 Positive Outcomes and Challenges 11:23 Community and Legal Implications 15:14 Final Thoughts and Resources

  6. Aug 10

    Teens, Roblox, and Real Money: A Parents Guide to In-Game Purchases (encore)

    This week we return to a popular episode, originally published in Jan 2025, where Dr. Delaney dives into the world of Roblox and examines how in-game purchases impact young people, featuring insights from two young Roblox players and Mark Edwards, a therapist specializing in excessive video game use among teens. The episode explores the challenges of spending real money on virtual items in games like Roblox and Fortnite — think Robux or V-Bucks — and delves into key issues such as personal values, impulse control, financial literacy, and addiction. Suitable for both adults and teens, this episode also provides practical advice for parents on fostering conversations about digital spending and guiding their kids toward making more thoughtful financial decisions in the gaming world   Guest: Mark Edwards, MS, MFT   Additional Resources: Screenagers Website Bring Screenagers to Your Community   Time Codes:  00:00 Introduction 01:04 Interview with Teen Roblox Players 04:35 Therapist's Perspective on Virtual Spending 06:35 Understanding Loot Boxes 10:19 Parental Guidance and Financial Literacy 15:55 Practical Tips for Parents 25:11 Conclusion and Resources

  7. Jul 27

    How Students Are Really Using AI & ChatGPT (encore)

    How are students really using ChatGPT and other AI tools for school work? What do they see as acceptable? And where do they draw the line? What happens when AI is used for creative projects, and at what cost? In this episode of Parenting in the Screen Age, Delaney Ruston, MD, explores the impact of AI tools like ChatGPT on student learning and academic integrity. She shares interviews with college students who talk candidly about using AI for academic purposes, what they will and won't do, and how they navigate ethical gray areas. One student recounts being accused of cheating with AI, and we learn how she got through the experience. The episode encourages parents, educators, and students to have ongoing conversations about the responsible use of AI technologies in and beyond the classroom.   Additional Resources Screenagers Website Bring Screenagers to Your Community‍   ‍‍‍Time Code 00:00 Introduction 00:47 The Rise of AI in Education 01:46 Student Interviews: Creative Uses of AI 06:47 Student Interviews: Academic Uses of AI 14:53 Student Interviews: Ethical Concerns and Personal Choices 17:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

  8. Jul 13

    Inside a Middle School's Fight Against Smartphone-Fueled Cruelty and Bullying (encore)

    In many schools today, students hesitate to give class presentations. Not because of stage fright, but because they're afraid of being secretly recorded and mocked on social media. Principals across the country are spending their time managing the aftermath of incidents sparked by viral trends like "Ship or Dip" posts. Physical altercations between students are often filmed by bystanders and shared online, amplifying the harm. In this episode, Dr. Ruston visits a middle school in Washington State and sits down with Principal Zach to explore what happened when phones were allowed on campus and how things changed dramatically once new policies were put in place. Zach shares the powerful transformation his school has experienced, and how restorative practices are helping students learn healthier ways to resolve conflict. This episode is intended for both adult and teen audiences.   Featured Expert Zach - Middle School Principal   Additional Links Awayfortheday.org Anti-Bullying Campaigns Cyberbullying: How does your child define it? Truths And Myths About Cyberbullying   Time Code 00:00 Introduction and Personal Story 00:27 The Impact of Smartphones in Schools 01:11 Real-Life Examples of Digital Cruelty 03:44 School Policies to Combat Phone-Related Issues 04:02 Principal Zach's Experience and Insights 07:10 The Culture Shift and Restorative Practices 13:02 Student Rights and Reporting System 16:07 Understanding Multiple Perspectives 16:52 Building Empathy and Conflict Resolution 19:15 Restorative Circles and Safe Spaces 21:10 The Role of Social Media in Conflict 23:26 Addressing Inappropriate Behavior 24:02 Conclusion and Resources

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Join Delaney Ruston, MD — a leading authority on parenting in the screen age and the filmmaker behind the award-winning Screenagers movies — as she explores the challenges parents face raising kids in today's digital world: think smartphones, social media, video games, and more. Through interviews with experts, thought leaders, and young people themselves, Parenting in the Screen Age delivers the latest science, practical tips, and key insights that parents will want to implement — and share — with their kids and teens.

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