The Screenagers Movies

Screenagers Movie Poster
UPDATED FOR 2024/25

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
Now updated for 2024/25 with new research, insights and advice
NEW MOVIE

screenagers: Elementary School Age edition

Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition updates the original movie with the latest research, expert insights and advice, specifically tailored for the students, parents and educators of elementary schools to help them better navigate this digital age.

Runtimes: Original: 55 Minutes, Classroom: 26 Minutes
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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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

“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

“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
A Smart Guide for Simple (Dumb) Phones and Watches

A Smart Guide for Simple (Dumb) Phones and Watches

As the gift-giving season approaches, many parents consider buying their kids their first phones or connected watches. Before diving into this decision, I want to share my perspective: delaying this purchase as long as possible is often the best approach. If you have decided to move forward, my team and I have worked hard to compile a detailed chart of simple phone and watch recommendations to help you choose the best option.

READ MORE >
December 10, 2024
Shock Your Kids With the Science of Nagging

Shock Your Kids With the Science of Nagging

Have you nagged at your kids to get off a screen? I sure have. In fact, who hasn’t? In today’s blog, I share an excerpt from The Screenagers Podcast that will surprise your kids when you share it with them. It is a beautifully done study looking at MRI brain scans of teens when they hear their actual moms nagging at them. Why share this with your child? Because you are saying that you see how YOU (and all of us adults) sometimes use ineffective communication approaches.

READ MORE >
December 3, 2024
My 2024 Tech-Free Holiday Gift Guide

My 2024 Tech-Free Holiday Gift Guide

Today I offer over 30 tech-free gift ideas for kids of all ages, including my #1 favorite gift I will be giving my kids. You will notice an absence of book recommendations, but that is because I am working on a full list of suggestions, so for now I hope this list gives you inspiration for creative, tech-free gifts for the holidays!

READ MORE >
November 26, 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

MORE PRESS