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Wow! Summer really goes by fast, doesn’t it? Back-to-school is already here for some and not far away for others.
One other thing that moves just as fast is technology, and with it, are the challenges its rapid changes bring for parents and families.
Over the years, we’ve published hundreds of resources for parents. Some eventually fall out of relevance (remember our 2016 guide on talking to your kids about the Pokémon Go craze?), but many remain just as valuable today as when they were first posted.
Ahead of this school year, I’ve hand-picked four of our most useful blogs. Practical, timely guides to help you set your family up for a healthier, more balanced relationship with technology in the months ahead.
Originally published: April 6, 2021
Screens are so prominent now in our lives, and finding the right boundaries at home is an ongoing challenge. This guide breaks the process into four clear steps that start with family values and end with realistic rules, with plenty of wiggle room for life’s exceptions.
You’ll also hear about my own first attempt at a phone contract (spoiler: it wasn’t perfect) and what I learned from it. If you’ve been meaning to reset your family’s screen agreements, now is the perfect time.
Originally published: December 10, 2024
Phones and smartwatches open the door to more connection, but also more complexity in a child’s life. Before you decide, this guide walks you through the leading “simple” models, breaking down costs, features, and safety controls so you can choose with confidence.
You’ll also find suggestions for working with other parents to create shared boundaries, making life easier for everyone. And if you’re still on the fence, I share why waiting can be one of the best tech decisions you make.
Originally published: November 5, 2024
AI “friends” aren’t science fiction anymore! AI Chatbots are here, they’re personal, and they can be risky. In this guide, I share a five-step framework to help you talk openly with your kids about this, the dangers they pose, and what rules make sense for your family.
We also look at ways to encourage empathy and real-world connection in an age of digital intimacy. These conversations aren’t one-and-done; they’re ongoing, and our kids need us to be part of them.
Originally published: April 9, 2024
The conversation about social media’s impact on youth is louder than ever, which is a good thing. Here, I explore four bold ideas for making positive change, from banning phones in schools to working together as parents to delay social media access.
You’ll also find inspiring stories from communities already trying these approaches. With the school year ahead, it’s a perfect time to think about how we can give our teens more independence offline while better protecting them online.
As a new school year begins, small, intentional changes can have a big impact on our kids’ wellbeing and our family life. I hope these guides spark ideas, conversations, and even a few new habits in your home.
If you find them helpful, consider sharing this post with other parents, caregivers, or educators in your community. The more we work together, the better we can support our kids in navigating today’s fast-changing digital world.
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Wow! Summer really goes by fast, doesn’t it? Back-to-school is already here for some and not far away for others.
One other thing that moves just as fast is technology, and with it, are the challenges its rapid changes bring for parents and families.
Over the years, we’ve published hundreds of resources for parents. Some eventually fall out of relevance (remember our 2016 guide on talking to your kids about the Pokémon Go craze?), but many remain just as valuable today as when they were first posted.
Ahead of this school year, I’ve hand-picked four of our most useful blogs. Practical, timely guides to help you set your family up for a healthier, more balanced relationship with technology in the months ahead.
Originally published: April 6, 2021
Screens are so prominent now in our lives, and finding the right boundaries at home is an ongoing challenge. This guide breaks the process into four clear steps that start with family values and end with realistic rules, with plenty of wiggle room for life’s exceptions.
You’ll also hear about my own first attempt at a phone contract (spoiler: it wasn’t perfect) and what I learned from it. If you’ve been meaning to reset your family’s screen agreements, now is the perfect time.
Parenting in this digital age is full of challenges. I imagine many of you are nodding in agreement. And when we look for advice online, it can feel like a sea of perfect experts with perfect advice: “Just follow these three easy steps and everything will fall into place.” In this week’s blog, I share a story about a moment with my daughter Tessa that did not go quite as planned but ended up teaching us both something important.
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Today I’m rounding up six of the most-read blogs from 2025 so far. Stories and interviews that struck a chord with readers and offered real tools for parenting in the screen age. Whether you missed a few or want a quick refresher, I hope you’ll find something here that inspires a new conversation in your home, school, or community.
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Last week in clinic, I met with a teen and her mom. The mom voiced concern about her daughter using over-the-ear headphones for hours on end, worried it could be harming her hearing. Headphones and earbuds have become the norm, and for many of us, volume tends to creep up. I’ve caught myself lately at the gym, blasting music louder than I probably should. Today I talk more about this and highlight one thing you can do right now for yourself and with your family to check in on your hearing.
READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, 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.
