In the 5 years since the premiere of our first movie, Screenagers: Growing Up In The Digital Age, and now with Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER, our movies have been shown in more than 10,000 community screening events, to over 5 million people.
Our goal with the movies was to make an honest, balanced and real-world examination of the challenges teens and parents faced around technology, social media, video games, the internet and ultimately the impact of the growing digital age on the mental health of our kids, AND to offer solutions.
We hoped that we would be able to share our learnings widely, but we are eternally grateful and never could have hoped for the level of support and advocacy we have seen for our movies 5 years on.
From the wide range of feedback we have received over the years, we have learned more and more about the real-world benefits hosts and viewers have gained from our movies, and presented here for those thinking about hosting a screening in their community is feedback on the most widely reported benefits we have seen.
1. The movies are informative without being alarmist.
We know well, particularly from school screenings, that some kids worry they are about to be shown some sort of “anti-tech" movie. This couldn't be further from the truth! Our movies examine both the positive and negative impact of technology, advocating and evidencing the need for balance and self-regulation.
Through using relatable, real-world examples and presenting the evidence in a balanced and fair way, it is common for viewers to leave a screening event feeling informed and empowered with new knowledge, not scared into action.
"Students and parents alike loved this film. It addressed everyone's concerns and opened up important conversations about the impact of screen time."
- Katherine G., Assistant Head of School, North Dartmouth, MA
"Screenagers is a very balanced, sympathetic and sane look at the way millions of teens are struggling with phones, games and technology in general."
- Dave Eggers, Author
2. Our movies create the space needed for healthy conversations to happen
Parents and teachers will both know, trying to talk to our teens about their technology usage is difficult! The fear of being restricted, cut off or lectured to makes our kids defensive at best and secretive or obstinate at worst!
Good things happen in the home when parents and teenagers can talk openly and honestly about this subject, without fear or judgement. We have seen commonly that the ideas contained in our movies, bring about changes in perspective, on both sides, that allows for more healthy conversations like this to happen.
"We had a response to this screening like we haven't seen for other events. I think the best thing it is doing is opening conversations for families and in the communities.”
- April M., PTA Parent Education Rep, Solana Beach, CA
"This documentary has begun some incredible dialogue among families and we are extraordinarily grateful.”
- Nicole B., Assistant Youth Pastor, Calgary, Canada
3. The movies are relatable by using real-world people and examples.
While hearing form experts about the medical and scientific evidence are an important part, the real heart of the Screenagers movies are the people. We deliberately wanted to feature the stories of real kids and families looking at both their challenges and their triumphs.
We try to balance taking an unfiltered look at the messy struggles over social media, video games, academics and mental health, while keeping the overall tone of the movies upbeat and optimistic. It is through this real-world lens that we believe helps so many people to connect meaningfully with the learnings from our movies.
“I love this documentary. It touches on all the important topics and incorporates a great blend of research, presented in an easy-to-comprehend manner, and personal family stories we can all relate to."
- Erin L., School District Social Worker, CA
"Really captures the struggles we see parents and students having across the board. I appreciated the hope the parents and kids felt at the end.”
- Renee B., Teacher, NY
4. Kids are prompted into action and taking the initiative.
Something important in making these movies was to try and present an objective examination of the impact of technology, on the well-being of kids today.
While the learnings made by Dr. Ruston and her family’s journey, along with the stories of many of our subjects, presents a view that greater balance is needed, it is ultimately left up to the viewer and importantly the kids watching, to determine which learnings they take away and reflect upon concerning their own habits and wellbeing.
"I loved the movie! It taught me and my sister so much. We had a great discussion about it at home too.”
- Chloe B,. 17 year old event attendee
"I got my daughter's feedback on the movie and I want to thank you and your team. She learned a lot and has requested restriction on her phone usage.”
- Amy S., School Administrator
5. The ideas are relevant to the whole family, not just kids.
Perhaps inevitable, but not necessarily anticipated during production was that the learning contained in our movies would be equally relevant to an adult audience as well as kids watching.
Smartphones, social media, video games, the internet and everything related are ever more present and fundamental to us all in today's society. Commonly the parents watching our movies take learnings and reflections away, relevant to their own habits and wellbeing, as well as considerations towards their role as a parent in this challenge.
"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
"Great way to spark a conversation about one of the most important issues in raising children… also alarmingly applicable to adults.”
- Peter L., Instructional Technology Specialist, Brewster, NY
6. Validation of viewers existing thoughts and fears
Whether kids knowing deep down they maybe do spend too much time on their smartphones, or parents being concerned about their kids spending too much time playing video games. It is not a big leap to assume that most people are at least aware that technology in our lives presents certain challenges and even dangers to our health and mental wellbeing.
It can't be understated, the impact of seeing real people in our movies, talking in real terms about these challenges and struggles. Viewers realizing they are not alone in their fears or concerns is a powerful and liberating tool, helping to bring about honest conversations in their families or open up the possibility in their minds that things can get better.
"It was an incredible eye-opener. The way it was presented got totally under my skin and pointed out exactly what we are dealing with in my family.”
- Kirsten R.C., NY Parent
"I found it to be very powerful and validating for both teens and parents.”
- Louise K., Social Worker
If you are interested to learn what it takes to host a screening event (in-person, or online) fill out this form.
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
In the 5 years since the premiere of our first movie, Screenagers: Growing Up In The Digital Age, and now with Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER, our movies have been shown in more than 10,000 community screening events, to over 5 million people.
Our goal with the movies was to make an honest, balanced and real-world examination of the challenges teens and parents faced around technology, social media, video games, the internet and ultimately the impact of the growing digital age on the mental health of our kids, AND to offer solutions.
We hoped that we would be able to share our learnings widely, but we are eternally grateful and never could have hoped for the level of support and advocacy we have seen for our movies 5 years on.
From the wide range of feedback we have received over the years, we have learned more and more about the real-world benefits hosts and viewers have gained from our movies, and presented here for those thinking about hosting a screening in their community is feedback on the most widely reported benefits we have seen.
1. The movies are informative without being alarmist.
We know well, particularly from school screenings, that some kids worry they are about to be shown some sort of “anti-tech" movie. This couldn't be further from the truth! Our movies examine both the positive and negative impact of technology, advocating and evidencing the need for balance and self-regulation.
Through using relatable, real-world examples and presenting the evidence in a balanced and fair way, it is common for viewers to leave a screening event feeling informed and empowered with new knowledge, not scared into action.
"Students and parents alike loved this film. It addressed everyone's concerns and opened up important conversations about the impact of screen time."
- Katherine G., Assistant Head of School, North Dartmouth, MA
"Screenagers is a very balanced, sympathetic and sane look at the way millions of teens are struggling with phones, games and technology in general."
- Dave Eggers, Author
2. Our movies create the space needed for healthy conversations to happen
Parents and teachers will both know, trying to talk to our teens about their technology usage is difficult! The fear of being restricted, cut off or lectured to makes our kids defensive at best and secretive or obstinate at worst!
Good things happen in the home when parents and teenagers can talk openly and honestly about this subject, without fear or judgement. We have seen commonly that the ideas contained in our movies, bring about changes in perspective, on both sides, that allows for more healthy conversations like this to happen.
"We had a response to this screening like we haven't seen for other events. I think the best thing it is doing is opening conversations for families and in the communities.”
- April M., PTA Parent Education Rep, Solana Beach, CA
"This documentary has begun some incredible dialogue among families and we are extraordinarily grateful.”
- Nicole B., Assistant Youth Pastor, Calgary, Canada
We made the Screenagers movies to be shown in group community settings such as schools, places of worship, workplaces and more. Let us share with you the steps to putting on your own successful Screenagers event, along with some of our most helpful tips!
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Screenagers: Next Chapter explores openly, the topic of mental health in youth today and meets many real-world young people and families, openly discussing their stories, challenges and identifying solutions applicable to all. Learn more about why now is the right time to screen this movie at your school.
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.
