The Screenagers Movies

Screenagers Movie Poster

screenagers: growing up In the digital age

An award-winning film that probes into the vulnerable corners of family life and depicts messy struggles over social media, video games, and academics. The film offers solutions on how we can help our kids navigate the digital world.

Runtimes: Original: 67 Minutes, Classroom: 46 Minutes
NEW MOVIE

screenagers: Elementary School Age edition

In fall 2024 we launch Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition, which updates the original movie with the latest research, insight and advice, tailored for the students, parents and educators of elementary schools.

Release Date: 09/03/2024. Available now to license.
Poster for screenagers next chapter showing the movie logo on top of a word cloud using the words, stress, anxiety and depression

Screenagers next chapter: youth Mental health in the digital age

Millions of young people experience high stress, anxiety, and depression. We follow physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston as she discovers solutions for improved adolescent well-being in the digital age.

Runtimes: Original: 63 Minutes, Classroom: 50 Minutes
Screenagers Under The Influence Poster

Screenagers Under The Influence: Vaping drugs & Alcohol in the digital age

Join Screenagers’ filmmaker, Delaney Ruston, as she picks up her camera once more to examine the impact of our digital age on teens' decision-making in relation to substances such as vaping, drugs, and alcohol.

Runtimes: Original: 70 Minutes, Classroom: 50 Minutes

AWAY FOR THE DAY

Our campaign to stop phone use in schools.

Research shows that kids and teens do better with phones away during school hours. This movement is giving you — parents, teachers, school leaders, and concerned individuals — tools so that you can go to your school and help institute policies where phones and smartwatches are put away all day at school.

LEARN MORE
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Praise for the Screenagers movies

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“The timing of this movie could not be better or more urgent as we are facing a national youth mental health crisis"

Kelsey Fernandez, Prevention Coalition

The film really shakes up long-held beliefs about what is normal, acceptable, and safe.

Lili Schliesser, Clayton Schools

Wow! I just finished watching Under the Influence. The final line had me in tears - "we are here for them, not to shame them but to help them figure out their best and safest road forward.

Jill Smith, Resource Coordinator, Academy of World Languages, Ohio

“As the mother of three kids… we’re all worried about how much is too much. For any of you wrestling with this issue, I loved the documentary. It combines smart insights and practical tips for raising happy, healthy, technologically empowered teens.”

Melinda Gates

“Screenagers is a very balanced, sympathetic and sane look at the way millions of teens are struggling with phones and games and technology in general.”

Dave Eggers, Author

“I found it to be VERY POWERFUL and VALIDATING for both teens and parents.”

Louise Kirkhope, Social Worker

“I can’t imagine what school counsellor would not be eager to share this with their families.”

Nell Branco, School Counselor

“We are considering showing it again in the spring… one of the best events we have hosted.”

Julia T, Head of Upper School, Ann Arbor, MI

“Amazing documentary… very relevant for parents, teachers and students. Many parents left asking when we were going to show it again because they wanted to bring their friends.”

John H., Vice Principal, Elk Grove, CA

“It’s a MUST SEE for anyone with kids in their lives!”

Martha Adams, Chief Creative Officer for Girl Rising

Screenings are available only through community events. ANYONE can host a screening at a school, community group, places of worship, workplace, theater or more.

IT'S EASY >

The Screenagers Project

On our online membership platform designed for K-12 schools, members enjoy unlimited on-demand access to our movies for their institutional use - e.g. In-Classroom, along with the option to run school screenings of the movies at their school location for the student and parents of their one school - e.g. Parents Nights.

Members also have access to an extensive new curriculum with lesson plans related to the themes in our movies, along with a range of other  content and resources.

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Screenagers on YouTube

Check out the Screenagers YouTube Channel where we post new videos twice a week, including podcasts, resources, parental guidance, previously unseen advice from the experts in our movies and much more!

Visit Our YouTube
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Tech Talk Tuesdays - Delaney writing her blog

the screenagers blog - tech talk tuesdays

OUR FILMMAKER, DR. RUSTON, SHARES HER FAMILY’S WEEKLY TOPICS TO HELP YOU MANAGE AND DECREASE STRUGGLES AROUND SCREEN TIME.

Read the Blog
Why I Told Attorneys General That I Am Optimistic

Why I Told Attorneys General That I Am Optimistic

We all want good news — contrary to mainstream news, which focuses on all that is going wrong, we humans want and need a healthy dose of daily good news, right? I bet you agree, and thank you for reading this blog, which is focused on good news (including news about love). A week ago, I was on a stage, on a panel, in front of many Attorney General at their yearly national conference, and I said these words: “I am optimistic.”

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September 17, 2024
Trailer for Our New Film! Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition

Trailer for Our New Film! Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition

I am over the moon jazzed to introduce the trailer for our new film, Screenagers: Elementary School Edition. So much work has gone into this film. My team and I wanted it to be attention-worthy and, above all, exceedingly useful. Screen time seeps into the lives of younger and younger kids. Parents struggle with what to do. How much time is okay for entertainment screen time? How to set limits? How to handle meltdowns? What does science tell us about why and how to safeguard sleep in our digital age? And so much more.

READ MORE >
September 10, 2024
Back-To-School for 24/25!

Back-To-School for 24/25!

For many across the country, if not back already, today marks the start of another school year! Educators, I hope you had a restful summer and your preparations for the new school year have gone well. Parents and guardians, likewise I hope you’ve enjoyed a wonderful summer with family and rousing your kids for school this morning was relatively stress free :) It’s a busy day for everyone so I’ll keep it simple. Today's blog includes summaries and links to some of my previous writings around the subject of back-to-school and related topics.

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September 3, 2024

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Parenting in the Screen Age book cover

DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, CONVERSATIONS, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.  

ORDER HERE

Delaney ruston

documentary filmmaker, author, primary care physician and mother of teenagers

About the Filmmaker

event photos

Screenagers School Screening Event
Screenagers School Screening Event
Screenagers School Screening Event
Screenagers School Screening Event
Screenagers School Screening Event
Screenagers School Screening Event
Screenagers School Screening Event
Screenagers School Screening Event
VIEW ALL PHOTOS

press

New York Times Logo
in 'screenagers,' what to do about too much screen time

Dr. Ruston about her own family’s messy struggles with digital distractions, and the surprising insights she learned making this film.

PBS Logo
the drug-like effect of screen time on the teenage brain

Teenagers today have never known a world without the internet, which all ...

Good Morning america Logo
'screenagers' documentary examines impact of screens and new tech on kids'

‘Screenagers’ Documentary Examines Impact of Screens and New Tech on Kids’ Development

Doctor Oz logo
how technology may effect children

Dr. Delaney Ruston discusses the effects ... Guests: Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Delaney Ruston, Simon Sinek, Jason Silva

Washington Post Logo
how technology may effect children

Dr. Delaney Ruston discusses the effects ... Guests: Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Delaney Ruston, Simon Sinek, Jason Silva

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