I used to think the ability to have self-control was determined at birth. While making Screenagers I learned that there are a variety of strategies parents can use to improve self-control. There are studies in which parents are trained to help their kids gain self-control, and researchers are able to measure actual improvement. A key way to teach kids self-control around tech time is to set up clear guidelines: State times the child should not be on their device and then give incentives for adhering to them. Their newly learned ability to self-regulate then flows over to other areas where will-power is needed.
What is something that each person your family feels out of control with?
Are there certain tech times that feel out of control? Texting? Snapchatting? Gaming? Gaming while doing school work? Facebook for mom and dad? Working on the computer? Shopping on the computer? Liking pictures on Instagram? Strolling through Pinterest?
Talk about how it feels when tech time seems to control you? Having conversations about the feelings will get everyone thinking about this issue and that is a huge step.
I'd love to hear how it went. Share your ideas at the top of this page.
Warmly,
Delaney
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
Learn more about our Screen-Free Sleep campaign at the website!
Our movie made for parents and educators of younger kids
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
Learn more about our Screen-Free Sleep campaign at the website!
Our movie made for parents and educators of younger kids
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
As we’re about to celebrate 10 years of Screenagers, we want to hear what’s been most helpful and what you’d like to see next.
Please click here to share your thoughts with us in our community survey. It only takes 5–10 minutes, and everyone who completes it will be entered to win one of five $50 Amazon vouchers.
I used to think the ability to have self-control was determined at birth. While making Screenagers I learned that there are a variety of strategies parents can use to improve self-control. There are studies in which parents are trained to help their kids gain self-control, and researchers are able to measure actual improvement. A key way to teach kids self-control around tech time is to set up clear guidelines: State times the child should not be on their device and then give incentives for adhering to them. Their newly learned ability to self-regulate then flows over to other areas where will-power is needed.
What is something that each person your family feels out of control with?
Are there certain tech times that feel out of control? Texting? Snapchatting? Gaming? Gaming while doing school work? Facebook for mom and dad? Working on the computer? Shopping on the computer? Liking pictures on Instagram? Strolling through Pinterest?
Talk about how it feels when tech time seems to control you? Having conversations about the feelings will get everyone thinking about this issue and that is a huge step.
I'd love to hear how it went. Share your ideas at the top of this page.
Warmly,
Delaney
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I used to think the ability to have self-control was determined at birth. While making Screenagers I learned that there are a variety of strategies parents can use to improve self-control. There are studies in which parents are trained to help their kids gain self-control, and researchers are able to measure actual improvement. A key way to teach kids self-control around tech time is to set up clear guidelines: State times the child should not be on their device and then give incentives for adhering to them. Their newly learned ability to self-regulate then flows over to other areas where will-power is needed.
What is something that each person your family feels out of control with?
Are there certain tech times that feel out of control? Texting? Snapchatting? Gaming? Gaming while doing school work? Facebook for mom and dad? Working on the computer? Shopping on the computer? Liking pictures on Instagram? Strolling through Pinterest?
Talk about how it feels when tech time seems to control you? Having conversations about the feelings will get everyone thinking about this issue and that is a huge step.
I'd love to hear how it went. Share your ideas at the top of this page.
Warmly,
Delaney
Thoughtful family tech rules help protect kids’ wellbeing, learning, and sleep while strengthening connection at home. Using the fresh start of a new year, this post shares eight practical tech habits families can discuss and adapt together, including shared social media check-ins, screen time inventories, device-free meals, regular gaming breaks, and keeping phones out of bedrooms at night.
READ MORE >
Psychologist Jean Twenge explains how parental controls can support healthier tech use by protecting sleep, limiting late night device access, and reducing kids’ exposure to content they are not developmentally ready to handle. She discusses why third party parental control tools are often more effective and easier to use than built in options, while acknowledging that no system is perfect. Clear boundaries, combined with technology based limits, can reduce ongoing conflict and make screen time rules easier to enforce.
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.
