It’s morning. You are snuggled under the covers, your eyes open, your brain registers that it’s a new day. Is your first interaction with the world an in-person one -- “Good morning, honey” – or a screen one – a text, FB post, or news and traffic update — quick, before anyone in the house says ‘hello’? How about for your kids?
It’s invigorating to be able to interact with every corner of wider world at any moment, from the instant we wake up to the moment before our eyes close at night. But sometimes it’s disorienting, even when we are all at home: Do I feel more connected? Or more alone, even though my husband is on the same sofa two feet away from me?
It brings to mind the cliché 50s image of dad at the dining table, his face hidden behind the paper, walled off from everyone by the tall black and white newsprint absorbing his attention. But now it’s not just dad at dinner, it’s every family member, at all hours, eyes glued and faces lit by screen glow, me included.
I recognize every person needs different amounts of alone time and family time to feel connected to each other, but with screens I feel like spontaneous interactions are harder to come by, make up less of our family time moments. To “be” together, we have to strategize, organize and schedule it. Is this the new social norm?
How is family life at home different with screens in it? Here are some other ways to get the conversation started:
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
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.
It’s morning. You are snuggled under the covers, your eyes open, your brain registers that it’s a new day. Is your first interaction with the world an in-person one -- “Good morning, honey” – or a screen one – a text, FB post, or news and traffic update — quick, before anyone in the house says ‘hello’? How about for your kids?
It’s invigorating to be able to interact with every corner of wider world at any moment, from the instant we wake up to the moment before our eyes close at night. But sometimes it’s disorienting, even when we are all at home: Do I feel more connected? Or more alone, even though my husband is on the same sofa two feet away from me?
It brings to mind the cliché 50s image of dad at the dining table, his face hidden behind the paper, walled off from everyone by the tall black and white newsprint absorbing his attention. But now it’s not just dad at dinner, it’s every family member, at all hours, eyes glued and faces lit by screen glow, me included.
I recognize every person needs different amounts of alone time and family time to feel connected to each other, but with screens I feel like spontaneous interactions are harder to come by, make up less of our family time moments. To “be” together, we have to strategize, organize and schedule it. Is this the new social norm?
How is family life at home different with screens in it? Here are some other ways to get the conversation started:
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
Sign up here to receive the weekly Tech Talk Tuesdays newsletter from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD.
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It’s morning. You are snuggled under the covers, your eyes open, your brain registers that it’s a new day. Is your first interaction with the world an in-person one -- “Good morning, honey” – or a screen one – a text, FB post, or news and traffic update — quick, before anyone in the house says ‘hello’? How about for your kids?
It’s invigorating to be able to interact with every corner of wider world at any moment, from the instant we wake up to the moment before our eyes close at night. But sometimes it’s disorienting, even when we are all at home: Do I feel more connected? Or more alone, even though my husband is on the same sofa two feet away from me?
It brings to mind the cliché 50s image of dad at the dining table, his face hidden behind the paper, walled off from everyone by the tall black and white newsprint absorbing his attention. But now it’s not just dad at dinner, it’s every family member, at all hours, eyes glued and faces lit by screen glow, me included.
I recognize every person needs different amounts of alone time and family time to feel connected to each other, but with screens I feel like spontaneous interactions are harder to come by, make up less of our family time moments. To “be” together, we have to strategize, organize and schedule it. Is this the new social norm?
How is family life at home different with screens in it? Here are some other ways to get the conversation started:
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
Many adults keep their phones by the bed — it feels harmless, even necessary. But what if that habit is quietly affecting our sleep and the example we set for our kids? In this week’s blog, Dr. Ruston shares two key things every parent should know about sleeping next to a phone, and how small nighttime tech changes can make a big difference for the whole family.
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From Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto to violence and gunfire in movies and shows, aggression is a constant backdrop in boys’ media diets. And with various influencers and online personalities framing success through the lens of strength, competition, dominance and winning, boys are being handed a narrow script for masculinity. As parents, one of the most important things we can do is offer a counterweight. We can help boys strengthen empathy, compassion, and respect as core traits of masculinity, so they have a broader, healthier vision of who they can become.
READ MORE >
Last week we introduced you to our Screen-Free Sleep campaign! Since then, we’ve been flooded with emails and calls, and most are asking the same question: How can we get this spreading in our school? Today’s blog has the answers.
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.
