A few weeks ago, a longtime neighbor, Jamie, who has become a dear friend, shared with me about her screen-free family Sundays with her twin nine-year-olds, 14-year-old and 16-year-old:
“About a year ago, we decided to start screen-free Sundays with the hope of unplugging and getting some family time. … because I felt decision fatigue. [The kids would say]... can I watch this? Or what about that? Or I've done my two hours, but it's not over? Or can I do one more? It just felt like I needed one day where I can just say no, we're not doing this. And you'll have to figure something else out. And I think as a mom, I like some sense of rhythm. “
Jamie explained there are some screen-time exceptions, but it is pretty darn screen-free for the most part. When Jamie started Screen-Free Sundays, they planned to just try it out for a month so she wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by the experiment.
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!
So how has it gone? I ask her this in this week’s podcast.
I also talk with a mom in Alaska who prioritizes reading in her family in all sorts of ways including keeping screens at bay when they read. Hear from her and her kids about the ways they have stronger family togetherness through reading and how screens are put away during such times.
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
To listen to the podcast, go here — it is only 15 minutes.
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.
A few weeks ago, a longtime neighbor, Jamie, who has become a dear friend, shared with me about her screen-free family Sundays with her twin nine-year-olds, 14-year-old and 16-year-old:
“About a year ago, we decided to start screen-free Sundays with the hope of unplugging and getting some family time. … because I felt decision fatigue. [The kids would say]... can I watch this? Or what about that? Or I've done my two hours, but it's not over? Or can I do one more? It just felt like I needed one day where I can just say no, we're not doing this. And you'll have to figure something else out. And I think as a mom, I like some sense of rhythm. “
Jamie explained there are some screen-time exceptions, but it is pretty darn screen-free for the most part. When Jamie started Screen-Free Sundays, they planned to just try it out for a month so she wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by the experiment.
So how has it gone? I ask her this in this week’s podcast.
I also talk with a mom in Alaska who prioritizes reading in her family in all sorts of ways including keeping screens at bay when they read. Hear from her and her kids about the ways they have stronger family togetherness through reading and how screens are put away during such times.
To listen to the podcast, go here — it is only 15 minutes.
Sign up here to receive the weekly Tech Talk Tuesdays newsletter from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD.
We respect your privacy.
A few weeks ago, a longtime neighbor, Jamie, who has become a dear friend, shared with me about her screen-free family Sundays with her twin nine-year-olds, 14-year-old and 16-year-old:
“About a year ago, we decided to start screen-free Sundays with the hope of unplugging and getting some family time. … because I felt decision fatigue. [The kids would say]... can I watch this? Or what about that? Or I've done my two hours, but it's not over? Or can I do one more? It just felt like I needed one day where I can just say no, we're not doing this. And you'll have to figure something else out. And I think as a mom, I like some sense of rhythm. “
Jamie explained there are some screen-time exceptions, but it is pretty darn screen-free for the most part. When Jamie started Screen-Free Sundays, they planned to just try it out for a month so she wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by the experiment.
Kids with ADHD benefit most when parents provide support at the exact moment behavior happens, a science-backed approach called "point of performance." Abruptly shifting from high-stimulation screen time to demanding tasks creates a "dopamine cliff," a brain chemistry drop that often shows up as resistance and conflict. Understanding both concepts helps parents smooth those transitions and build real skills and confidence in their kids over time.
READ MORE >
A new Louis Theroux documentary on Netflix exposes the growing network of online influencers pushing sexism, misogyny, and a narrow vision of masculinity on boys and young men. Combined with last year's hit series Adolescence, it is a wake-up call for parents. The good news: there is a lot we can do. This week, I round up our most relevant blogs and podcast episodes from recent months, covering everything from the "interrupter" technique to boys' mental health, phones in schools, online sports betting, pornography, and the manosphere's exploitation of boys' loneliness. The research is clear that parents who show up with curiosity, honesty, and consistency have more influence than they realize.
READ MORE >
When kids struggle with big emotions, many parents reach for a screen to keep the peace — but this can get in the way of children developing real coping skills. Drawing on research from Dr. Jenny Radesky, this post shares two practical strategies: using the Zones of Regulation color system to help kids name and process their feelings, and doing a toy swap with another parent to build your "vulnerable village" of support. Both approaches turn difficult screen-time moments into opportunities for emotional growth.
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.
