Join Delaney Ruston, MD, a leading authority on parenting in the digital age and the filmmaker of the award-winning Screenagers movies, as she explores strategies for raising screen-wise and tech-balanced youth. Through interviews with researchers, thought leaders, and young people themselves, The Screenagers Podcast delivers the latest in science along with practical tips. Most episodes are geared for parents, kids and teens to listen to and thus spark common ground for inspired conversations.
Guests on the show have included Jonathan Haidt, Peggy Orenstein, Kristen Neff, David Yeager, and many others!
In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Delaney dives into a question that sparks debate among educators, parents, and safety experts: Is it safer for students to have their phones during a school lockdown, or could it do more harm than good? To tackle this complex topic, Dr. Ruston speaks with a school superintendent, two police officers, and Clayton Cranford, a retired school resource officer and founder of Total Safety Solutions. Cranford, who works with schools across the country to improve safety protocols, brings a wealth of real-world experience to the conversation.
Show NotesHost Dr. Delaney interviews Natalie Foos, director of VoiceBox and lead author of the eye-opening report, “Coded Companions: Young People’s Relationships with AI Chat Bots.” The discussion centers on the risks posed by AI chatbots in young people's lives, using examples like Snapchat’s My AI and the AI companion app Replika. The report provides concrete examples of deeply troubling things the AIs said to users during testing, conducted with young adults aged 18 to 24. They discuss concerning features, such as how My AI uses location tracking to target young users with ads and emphasize the importance of educating both youth and adults about the potential dangers of AI companions, particularly regarding data privacy, emotional impact, and ethical implications.
Show NotesIn this episode of the Screenagers podcast, Dr. Delaney explores the alarming rise of sleep deprivation among teens starting in 2012, coinciding with the rise of screen time. Featuring clips from Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition and insights from experts Lauren Hale, PhD, and Judith Owens, MD, the episode delves into new brain science around kids and sleep deprivation and health risks linked to melatonin. Listeners are provided practical advice on how to promote healthy sleep habits, including preventing dependency to digital devices and melatonin.
Show NotesIn this episode, host Dr. Delaney discusses problematic social media use with therapist and media addiction expert Tracy Markle. Tracy is the founder and co-director of the Digital Media Treatment and Education Center in Boulder, Colorado. Tracy explains the critical effects social media can have on teen mental health, particularly in girls and shares the therapeutic approaches she used in working with one teen girl in overcoming problematic social media.
Show NotesFounder the the "Wait Until 8th" movement, Brooke Shannon, joins Dr. Delaney Ruston for a conversation. Brooke shares insights on the "Wait Until 8th" pledge, its community-based approach, and strategies for parents to manage digital exposure responsibly. The conversation also covers personal experiences, handling pushbacks, and practical steps for parents who have already given their kids smartphones and/or social media but decide they want to rein in their use.
Show NotesIn recent days, Instagram has launched a range of new features designed to protect teens who are using the platform. Today we revisit this episode of the Screenagers podcast where Dr. Ruston spoke with three teen girls from middle school, high school, and college about their experiences, both good and bad, with Instagram.
Show NotesIn this episode of the Screenagers podcast, physician/filmmaker Dr. Delaney Ruston gives some parenting highlights from her new movie Screenagers: Elementary School Edition. Key topics include handling meltdowns during screen time transitions, promoting open communication around social media, and mitigating the negative impacts of violent media. Practical parenting strategies and the importance of active mediation are emphasized, alongside insights from child psychologist Lizz Dexter-Mazza, PsyD, and media researcher and psychologist Doug Gentile, PhD.
Show NotesThere was JUUL. Now there is ZYN. Big Tobacco is continuing to make its business model addiction, and its customer base teens and young adults. In today’s episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with Dr. Robert Jackler, an expert on how Big Tobacco targets teens with slick and deceptive advertising and misleading products. Dr. Jackler, a professor at Stanford, talks about ZYN, the small flavored nicotine pouches that are going viral on social media. Created as a so-called safer means of harm reduction for vapes and cigarettes, ZYN packs a powerful punch of nicotine, making them just as harmful. Dr. Jackler, who conducted research on pouch nicotine for the World Health Organization, shares how ZYN is being deceptively marketed to teens, how they lead to nicotine addiction, and what parents and teens can do to help those who are hooked. This episode is intended for adult and youth audiences.
Show NotesIn this episode of The Screenagers Podcast Dr. Delaney Ruston is joined by her film and Screenagers partner, Lisa Tabb, to discuss their 'Away for the Day' campaign, which aims to remove smartphones and smartwatches from students during school hours to improve their academic and social well-being. They explore the campaign's benefits, the rapid rise of this challenge in elementary schools, and myths surrounding phone policies. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, author of the current NY Times bestselling book The Anxious Generation, also joins Delaney to discuss the negative impact of digital distractions on education.
Show NotesWe're revisiting this poignant episode that highlights how important it is for parents to regularly check-in with their kids about their online activity and behaviors. Dr. Delaney Ruston interviews journalist Dashka Slater about her book, Accountable, where she writes about the true story of a social media account run by a small group of teens who posted racist memes. The account spread quickly and got edgier as it went. The book follows the account’s profound effect on the teens, friends, and high school.
Show NotesIn this episode of the Screenagers podcast, Dr Ruston talks with three teen girls from middle school, high school, and college about their experiences, both good and bad, with Instagram. They discuss why they joined the platform, how they use it, and the types of content they see, including ads and influencer posts. The conversation delves into the emotional impact of social media, including issues of comparison, curated posts, and the prevalence of ads. In addition, they touch on issues of subliminal messaging and the risks and benefits of posting about one’s true emotional state.
Show NotesHow do we get our kids to make healthier choices when it comes to resisting junk food, smoking, or social media? In today’s podcast episode, Dr. Ruston talks with David Yeager, a leading researcher in the science of youth behavior change, motivation, and the power of mindsets, which are essentially our beliefs. Yeager studies show what happens when youth — who don’t like to be manipulated — are taught about companies’ manipulative tactics. This episode also features segments from our movie, Screenagers Under the Influence, which address the impacts of deceptive marketing by e-cigarette companies like Juul. This episode is intended for adult and youth audiences.
Show NotesHow can the big and little “t” traumas parents have experienced in their lives negatively impact their parenting around screen time? In this episode, Dr Ruston engages in a profound conversation with therapist Dr. David Johnson, who was the CEO of one of Seattle’s leading mental health providers, Navos, and has 48 years of experience in individual and family therapy. Dr. Johnson provides a unique perspective on common ways past traumas show up in parent-child struggles, whether over video gaming, social media, or other areas. Dr. Ruston courageously opens up about how some of her past traumas impacted her parenting. Throughout the episode, Delaney and David offer listeners many strategies to help prevent their past adversities from sabotaging their current parenting efforts. This episode is intended for adult audiences.
Show NotesAre social media, smartphones, and the sheer amount of time that young people are on screens really the main reason for the rise in mental health problems of today’s youth? On today’s episode, we delve into this pressing issue with Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist, and author of the current New York Times bestselling book, "The Anxious Generation". His insights provide a clear and compelling explanation of why this indeed is likely the case. Beyond just correlational studies, what do actual experiments show us about the link between teen mental health and screen time? Why is the time of puberty particularly concerning when it comes to handing over smartphones and social media? Why does social media seem to impact girls more negatively than boys? These are just some of the questions that today’s episode addresses. In addition, Haidt offers two solutions for improving teen mental health. This episode is not just for adults but also for teens who are directly affected by these issues. Of note, suicidal ideation is mentioned briefly in the episode.
Show NotesIn today’s episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with author Peggy Orenstein about a media-fueled risky sexual practice that is happening among some teens today — choking, also called sexual strangulation. Orenstein, who has spent many years researching sexuality among youth for her books “Girls and Sex” and “Boys and Sex,” investigated the topic of sexual choking for a New York Times article that was published last month. Today, Orenstein shares some of her findings from that investigation, including the influence of pornography and other media on this new trend. What are the psychological and physical risks of this practice? And what are ways to have productive conversations with young people on this and related topics? This episode also includes a 19-year-old discussing her concerns about sexual choking. This episode is intended for adult audiences.
Show NotesIn today’s episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with Casey O’Roarty, M. Ed., who is a well-recognized expert in Positive Discipline, particularly when it comes to tweens and teens. She is the author of Joyful Courage and the host of the Joyful Courage podcast and has spent over 15 years working with families. In this episode, Casey provides real-life anecdotes about when kids sneak screen time when they have meltdowns and other behaviors, and she explores fostering curiosity, addressing meltdowns, and finding the delicate balance between having firmness while fostering a strong parent-child relationship. In addition, another guest, a mother of three kids, shares her experience with ditching her old parenting ways to adopt the Positive Discipline approach.
Show NotesSometimes, gaming is not all fun and games. Foul words and degrading comments are all too common when kids and teens play video games together. From first-person shooter games like Call of Duty to building games like Minecraft and Roblox, competitive banter can be ugly. In this episode, Dr Ruston talks with Dr. Kishonna Gray, assistant professor of digital studies at the University of Kentucky, who researches various human dynamics that occur during video gaming. Dr. Gray works with parents and youth on how to manage the hard parts of gaming culture and shares many insights and solutions on today’s show. A teen gamer adds thoughts as well. This episode is intended for adult and youth audiences.
Show NotesWe're bringing back this episode today to help with the common arguments in the home about screen time and what to do. What is a parenting strategy that can promote healthy screen use, and other positive behaviors, while at the same time decrease fighting? In this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with one of her favorite parenting experts, Dr. Tammy Fisher Huson, about a strategy that has made a real difference in Dr. Ruston's own home.
Show NotesParenting kids has always had challenges, but now, in the tech revolution, conflicts are at a new level. The good news is that research shows that conflicts done well have all sorts of benefits for youth. But how do we ensure healthier conflicts? On today’s episode, Dr. Ruston talks with Lisa Damour, Ph.D. psychologist and author of three New York Times best-selling books about adolescents, including “The Emotional Lives of Teenagers.” The episode explores teen psychology, common screen time arguments, and several approaches to having healthier conflicts. The episode is intended for adult and youth audiences.
Show NotesConcerns over Snapchat use by its many young users seem to be discussed much less than concerns over TikTok and Instagram. Yet, issues with Snapchat are plenty — be it social conflicts or the sexually explicit material that can be seen on the app. In today's episode, Dr. Ruston discusses these topics and more with a high school boy and a young woman in college. The guests discuss problems created by the App's Snapscore feature, which is a ranking given to users based on how many snaps they send or receive. In addition, they talk about social conflicts that can happen on the app, issues around sexual content, and suggestions to parents regarding when to allow the app and how to talk about it with kids.
Show NotesIn this episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston dives into the pressing issue of social media addiction through the story of one young person, Lars, and insights from the chief of addiction medicine at Stanford, Ana Lembke, MD, and longtime media researcher Douglas Gentile, PhD. Through Lar’s struggle with social media addiction, listeners gain an intimate look at the impact of social media on mental health and identity. The episode sheds light on the various ways compulsive social media use can impact a young person and delves into the science behind digital addiction. Ultimately, Dr. Ruston and her guests offer valuable tips on how to know when social media use is in the zone of a clinical addiction and, most importantly, how to help teens who are in that zone, or wobbling there, to break free.
Show NotesIn this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks to author and psychologist Dr. Kristin Neff, Ph.D., about the power of self-compassion. They discuss the prevalent issue of self-criticism among parents, particularly regarding screen time, and how adopting self-compassion can help navigate such challenges. Dr. Neff and Dr. Ruston share personal parenting experiences along the way. The episode provides practical advice to help listeners, parents, and teens initiate their own self-compassion practice.
Show NotesIn this episode, Dr. Ruston tackles some of the thorniest screen time parenting issues with social worker Charlie Appelstein. Appelstein is the author of the popular book No Such Thing As A Bad Child. Using the framework of strength-based parenting, they explore strategies to help when youth break screen time rules and lie. They talk about creating fair consequences and what to do when teens are overly dismissive and mean to their parents. With over 40 years of working with youth and parents, Appelstein has a wealth of effective interventions at his fingertips.
Show NotesIn this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Ruston focuses on the science behind teen risky decision-making, both online and offline. Dr. Ruston speaks with researchers who shed light on the latest brain science, helping us better understand the biology behind adolescents' decision-making processes. With insights from experts such as psychiatrist Dr. Anna Lembke and psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour, parents will glean practical advice on guiding their children toward wiser decisions and setting fair consequences for rule-breaking.
Show NotesIn this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston explores the complex issue of weed use among teenagers in today's digital world. The discussion delves into how cannabis is portrayed and often glamorized on social media and the potential risks this poses to young people, including addiction and mental health concerns. The episode also sheds light on the cannabis industry’s lack of stringent regulation and the dangers of high THC products. Importantly, Dr. Ruston offers practical strategies for parents to engage in effective and meaningful conversations with their teens about cannabis use.
Show NotesOn today's episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston dives into the world of teens, vaping, and the cunning tactics e-cigarette companies use on social media. We'll uncover the health hazards of vaping, examine how influencers glamorize it, and we will expose deceptive marketing strategies. Joining me are Dr. Pam Ling and Rob Jackler, featured in my latest film, Screenagers Under The Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, and Alcohol in the Digital Age. They shed light on vaping's dangers and the industry's slick ploys to lure in young people. I also discuss how to empower our youth to see through these manipulations and protect themselves from the vaping industry's grasp.
Show NotesIn this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston interviews journalist Dashka Slater about her new book, Accountable, where she writes about the true story of a social media account run by a small group of teens who posted racist memes. The account spread quickly and got edgier as it went. The book follows the account’s profound effect on the teens, friends, and high school. Dr. Ruston's interview with Slater dives into issues like what compels teens to do things they know are out of bounds, such as acts of racism, the difference between guilt and shame, and transformative justice. Slater discusses methods of communicating with children about preventing doing such acts, and Dr. Ruston provides strategies for them to use when they encounter friends who do, and shares advice for parents and teens on dealing with the repercussions of online racism and the complexities of forgiveness and empathy.
Show NotesToday on The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston discusses skillful ways to respond when your kids break the family tech rules. One of the most challenging things for parents is knowing how to respond when kids break rules around screen time. Dr. Ruston talks about increasing the chances of kids following rules by getting collaborative input from them.
Show NotesDiscover the powerful strategy of a "love ambush" and becoming a mental health warrior. In this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston unveils the transformative impact of showing up unannounced to support those facing mental health challenges. Through personal stories and practical advice, Dr. Ruston unveils an approach to combatting isolation and building a caring team.
Show NotesSummer's heating up. In today's episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston explores how we can help teens have a better understanding of what makes up positive romantic relationships, including physical intimacy. In a past survey, teens between the ages of 14 and 17 were asked what sources help them understand sex. Thirty-one percent responded that helpful information was most likely to come from parents and 22 % said friends. Dr. Ruston says parents are a great resource if they want to take on this challenge and get better at it.
Show NotesIn today’s episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston shares recommendations for podcasts that you can listen to with your family this summer. So why these recommendations? Well, one of the objectives of the Screenagers movement is finding ways to connect youth and adults for meaningful conversations, not just about tech in our lives, but ways to help build in our kids' critical thinking, empathy, communication skills, and Dr. Ruston is a strong believer that listening to podcasts together and then discussing them can be a really terrific way to do that. It's also a way to celebrate one of the pearls of our tech revolution: the ability of people to become podcasters and to share science, stories, advice, and more.
Show NotesYouth will have more time to breathe and explore their interests beyond school, but so often, downtime becomes screen time. Summer’s wide open time spans can heighten battles over technology use. This is the perfect time to revisit your family rules, see what’s working and what’s not, and come up with summer guidelines.
Show NotesIn today’s episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with an 11-year-old girl, Mira, regarding what she likes about the popular gaming platform Roblox and the video game Minecraft. Mira also shares experiences she’s had with strangers while gaming. Mira discusses specific encounters and how she has handled such situations. Mira’s mom joins for part of the episode. If you have kids who do online gaming, listening to this episode with them can help spark important conversations.
Show NotesAs teens head back to school with even more emotional challenges than ever before due to the pandemic, providing them tools to address such challenges is crucial. Studies show that Social and Emotional Learning, called SEL, can help improve emotional well-being, academics, and more. In this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with Jordan Posamentier, Director of Policy and Advocacy for Committee for Children, about what constitutes effective SEL programs and how specifically all of us can advocate for getting SEL into all schools.
Show NotesIn today’s episode, Ruston talks with two mothers who have been working to have specific family times with less screen interference. First is a mom of four and her experience of doing screen-free family Sundays. Learn about the upsides and the challenges. The other is a mom in Alaska who has prioritized reading with her kids and how they keep screens at bay during this sacred time. This episode can be a good launching point for experimenting with new screen-free times in your home.
Show NotesWe've all heard the importance of parents showing a united front to their kids about rules. It’s a good thing to be united, but what about when you’re not? In this episode, Dr. Ruston looks at strategies parents can turn to when in disagreement — whether married or divorced. We gain insights from clinical psychologist Laura Kastner, Ph.D., and school counselor Tammy Fisher Huson, Ph.D., who both have spent decades working with youth and parents. And we hear from the researcher, Doug Gentile, who followed 1400 families for a year regarding family rules.
Show NotesWe are doing episodes on ways families experiment with having specific times for more togetherness and less screen interference. Today's episode of The Screenagers Podcast is with Tiffany Shlain and her daughter, Odessa. Tiffany is the founder of the Webby Awards, a filmmaker, and the author of the book 24/6. The podcast explores her family’s weekly ritual of unplugging Friday night to Saturday evening for “Tech Shabbat.” Tiffany and Odessa explain the what, why, and how of their weekly practice.
Show NotesWhen it comes to cyberbullying, what's fact and what's fiction? What do all kids need to know about how to handle online cruelty and how to help those getting targeted? And what can parents and schools do to be most helpful? On this episode of The Screenagers Project, Dr. Delaney Ruston speaks with psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Englander, who has spent decades researching and writing books on these topics.
Show NotesThis spring, as vaccination rates increase, more schools are opening their campuses for in-person learning. At the same time, anxiety about returning to school is high for many youth. How do we help our kids and teens who are experiencing anxious feelings related to school? To address this topic on The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston speaks with a high school student and two child psychologists, Dr. Elizabeth Englander, a researcher, and Dr. Laura Kastner, a clinical psychologist.
Show NotesFrustrated with his obsession with video gaming, Cam Adair wrote a post about his struggles that went viral. This led to his starting a movement that has brought together thousands to work to create a balanced life at Gamequitters.com. Cam is an international speaker who shares his story about gaming addiction and offers advice to youth and their parents. In today's episode of The Screenagers Podcast, he shares his powerful personal story along with his wealth of insights for any youth who enjoys video gaming and any parent who is working to ensure a balanced life for their child.
Show NotesEveryone knows that many young people play video games based on violent themes, and that shows have far more violence than when adults were kids. When COVID hit, many parents started to allow their kids to play games that they wouldn't have before COVID just because it has been such a source of connection and whatnot. In today’s episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston wants to understand what are the ways that this violence impacts our youth. We hear from one of Dr. Ruston’s favorite researchers in this area, Douglas Gentile, Ph.D., a child psychologist who has been doing groundbreaking research in this field for over 25 years.
Show NotesThese days Dr. Ruston hears parents’ concerns around all the video gaming their kids are doing — as well as social media and other screen time and their worries around the risks their kids will develop an addiction to technology. Dr. Ruston talks with Ed Spector, Psy.D., a psychologist who has worked with young people struggling with problematic video gaming and the internet. Learn what gaming disorder is and what strategies Dr. Spector uses with his clients to gain more balance in their tech lives.
Show NotesFalse information about vaccines has been around before social media, but now it can spread that much faster. The results have been deadly. We all want safe and effective vaccines against COVID. Today Dr. Ruston breaks down some of the false information around vaccines, explores amazing vaccine history, and relates this all to COVID. We also hear from kids and from a renowned vaccine researcher, Dr. Parker Small.
Show NotesNow more than ever, it is crucial to have the ability to spot disinformation on the internet. How skillful are our kids at spotting disinformation? In this episode, we meet the director of the Stanford History Education Group, Joel Breakstone, Ph.D., who has researched this topic — and it is not pretty. His team has analyzed how college students, historians, and fact-checkers evaluate websites in order to create effective strategies for spotting disinformation. We learn why the C.R.A.P. Test is outdated, and we hear from teens about how they decide not to reshare a post on social media.
Show NotesWith back to school starting, and with all the online and offline stressors our kids are facing, this show is about improving their wellbeing by focusing on healthy sleep. Have your kids and teens listen to this show with you! Hear fascinating insights from Dr. Judy Owens, the Director of Sleep Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital, and a neurology professor at Harvard Medical School. Explore the latest brain research with neuroscientist Adrian Galvan from UCLA and hear ideas from parents and a teen. Learn new ideas around increasing your child’s chance of getting brain nourishing sleep now during these incredibly challenging times, and into the future.
Show NotesArguments in the home about screen time are common and more so when school is in session, so what to do? What is a parenting strategy that can promote healthy screen use, and other positive behaviors, while at the same time, decrease fighting? In this episode, Delaney talks with one of her favorite parenting experts, Dr. Tammy Fisher Huson, about a strategy that Delaney learned from Tammy in the past and has made a real difference in Delaney’s own home. *And one quick note, past episodes were intentionally created for parents to listen to with their kids, but this one is more geared for parents. That said, if you do share it with your kids or teens, it may spark a helpful conversation about how your communication is going.
Show NotesIt is a brand new world where regular people of all ages can become stars on the internet overnight. But how do young influencers become brand marketers? Is it different for female and male influencers? Kids and teens feel connected and trust YouTubers they follow, but are they aware they are being marketed to? And, how is this type of marketing affecting our kids' self-esteem? Today’s guests include a talent manager for influencers who gives a behind the scenes look at these questions, along with teens who share their personal experiences.
Show NotesTime on TikTok has been skyrocketing. Why is it attracting such huge numbers of teens? What positives can happen on the app, and what are some of the risks? The sheer amount of time it consumes is what most young people say is TikTok’s biggest downside. On today’s show, Dr. Delaney Ruston speaks with two teenagers, Marie and Manisha, who answer these questions and others. Delaney puts on her metaphorical doctor’s coat when both girls share that they want to change their behavior on TikTok. Delaney helps them decide a plan of action, and then we flash forward to hear how they did with their goals.
Show NotesWhy do some kids and teens get overly frustrated and bored when it’s time to turn off their video games? How to know when game playing has become excessive? What are tips that all families should know for ensuring healthy video game play? In today’s episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston explores these issues along with a new model of brain biology to help explain irritability and boredom associated with video gaming. We hear from teens along with psychiatrist Dr. Clifford Sussman who specializes in helping young people regain tech balance. We also hear from Andrew Fulton who was in the film, Screenagers, when he was getting treatment at an internet rehab center, and is now working at the same center helping others recover from videogame overuse.
Show NotesWhether it is about a specific episode, a related topic or anything else, Dr. Ruston and the Screenagers Team would love to hear from you.
Record your question here and Dr. Ruston will try to answer them in upcoming Podcast episodes.
In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Delaney dives into a question that sparks debate among educators, parents, and safety experts: Is it safer for students to have their phones during a school lockdown, or could it do more harm than good? To tackle this complex topic, Dr. Ruston speaks with a school superintendent, two police officers, and Clayton Cranford, a retired school resource officer and founder of Total Safety Solutions. Cranford, who works with schools across the country to improve safety protocols, brings a wealth of real-world experience to the conversation.
Show NotesWhether it is about a specific episode, a related topic or anything else, Dr. Ruston and the Screenagers Team would love to hear from you.
Record your question here and Dr. Ruston will try to answer them in upcoming Podcast episodes.
Host Dr. Delaney interviews Natalie Foos, director of VoiceBox and lead author of the eye-opening report, “Coded Companions: Young People’s Relationships with AI Chat Bots.” The discussion centers on the risks posed by AI chatbots in young people's lives, using examples like Snapchat’s My AI and the AI companion app Replika. The report provides concrete examples of deeply troubling things the AIs said to users during testing, conducted with young adults aged 18 to 24. They discuss concerning features, such as how My AI uses location tracking to target young users with ads and emphasize the importance of educating both youth and adults about the potential dangers of AI companions, particularly regarding data privacy, emotional impact, and ethical implications.
Show NotesIn this episode of the Screenagers podcast, Dr. Delaney explores the alarming rise of sleep deprivation among teens starting in 2012, coinciding with the rise of screen time. Featuring clips from Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition and insights from experts Lauren Hale, PhD, and Judith Owens, MD, the episode delves into new brain science around kids and sleep deprivation and health risks linked to melatonin. Listeners are provided practical advice on how to promote healthy sleep habits, including preventing dependency to digital devices and melatonin.
Show NotesIn this episode, host Dr. Delaney discusses problematic social media use with therapist and media addiction expert Tracy Markle. Tracy is the founder and co-director of the Digital Media Treatment and Education Center in Boulder, Colorado. Tracy explains the critical effects social media can have on teen mental health, particularly in girls and shares the therapeutic approaches she used in working with one teen girl in overcoming problematic social media.
Show NotesFounder the the "Wait Until 8th" movement, Brooke Shannon, joins Dr. Delaney Ruston for a conversation. Brooke shares insights on the "Wait Until 8th" pledge, its community-based approach, and strategies for parents to manage digital exposure responsibly. The conversation also covers personal experiences, handling pushbacks, and practical steps for parents who have already given their kids smartphones and/or social media but decide they want to rein in their use.
Show NotesIn recent days, Instagram has launched a range of new features designed to protect teens who are using the platform. Today we revisit this episode of the Screenagers podcast where Dr. Ruston spoke with three teen girls from middle school, high school, and college about their experiences, both good and bad, with Instagram.
Show NotesIn this episode of the Screenagers podcast, physician/filmmaker Dr. Delaney Ruston gives some parenting highlights from her new movie Screenagers: Elementary School Edition. Key topics include handling meltdowns during screen time transitions, promoting open communication around social media, and mitigating the negative impacts of violent media. Practical parenting strategies and the importance of active mediation are emphasized, alongside insights from child psychologist Lizz Dexter-Mazza, PsyD, and media researcher and psychologist Doug Gentile, PhD.
Show NotesThere was JUUL. Now there is ZYN. Big Tobacco is continuing to make its business model addiction, and its customer base teens and young adults. In today’s episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with Dr. Robert Jackler, an expert on how Big Tobacco targets teens with slick and deceptive advertising and misleading products. Dr. Jackler, a professor at Stanford, talks about ZYN, the small flavored nicotine pouches that are going viral on social media. Created as a so-called safer means of harm reduction for vapes and cigarettes, ZYN packs a powerful punch of nicotine, making them just as harmful. Dr. Jackler, who conducted research on pouch nicotine for the World Health Organization, shares how ZYN is being deceptively marketed to teens, how they lead to nicotine addiction, and what parents and teens can do to help those who are hooked. This episode is intended for adult and youth audiences.
Show NotesIn this episode of The Screenagers Podcast Dr. Delaney Ruston is joined by her film and Screenagers partner, Lisa Tabb, to discuss their 'Away for the Day' campaign, which aims to remove smartphones and smartwatches from students during school hours to improve their academic and social well-being. They explore the campaign's benefits, the rapid rise of this challenge in elementary schools, and myths surrounding phone policies. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, author of the current NY Times bestselling book The Anxious Generation, also joins Delaney to discuss the negative impact of digital distractions on education.
Show NotesWe're revisiting this poignant episode that highlights how important it is for parents to regularly check-in with their kids about their online activity and behaviors. Dr. Delaney Ruston interviews journalist Dashka Slater about her book, Accountable, where she writes about the true story of a social media account run by a small group of teens who posted racist memes. The account spread quickly and got edgier as it went. The book follows the account’s profound effect on the teens, friends, and high school.
Show NotesIn this episode of the Screenagers podcast, Dr Ruston talks with three teen girls from middle school, high school, and college about their experiences, both good and bad, with Instagram. They discuss why they joined the platform, how they use it, and the types of content they see, including ads and influencer posts. The conversation delves into the emotional impact of social media, including issues of comparison, curated posts, and the prevalence of ads. In addition, they touch on issues of subliminal messaging and the risks and benefits of posting about one’s true emotional state.
Show NotesHow do we get our kids to make healthier choices when it comes to resisting junk food, smoking, or social media? In today’s podcast episode, Dr. Ruston talks with David Yeager, a leading researcher in the science of youth behavior change, motivation, and the power of mindsets, which are essentially our beliefs. Yeager studies show what happens when youth — who don’t like to be manipulated — are taught about companies’ manipulative tactics. This episode also features segments from our movie, Screenagers Under the Influence, which address the impacts of deceptive marketing by e-cigarette companies like Juul. This episode is intended for adult and youth audiences.
Show NotesHow can the big and little “t” traumas parents have experienced in their lives negatively impact their parenting around screen time? In this episode, Dr Ruston engages in a profound conversation with therapist Dr. David Johnson, who was the CEO of one of Seattle’s leading mental health providers, Navos, and has 48 years of experience in individual and family therapy. Dr. Johnson provides a unique perspective on common ways past traumas show up in parent-child struggles, whether over video gaming, social media, or other areas. Dr. Ruston courageously opens up about how some of her past traumas impacted her parenting. Throughout the episode, Delaney and David offer listeners many strategies to help prevent their past adversities from sabotaging their current parenting efforts. This episode is intended for adult audiences.
Show NotesAre social media, smartphones, and the sheer amount of time that young people are on screens really the main reason for the rise in mental health problems of today’s youth? On today’s episode, we delve into this pressing issue with Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist, and author of the current New York Times bestselling book, "The Anxious Generation". His insights provide a clear and compelling explanation of why this indeed is likely the case. Beyond just correlational studies, what do actual experiments show us about the link between teen mental health and screen time? Why is the time of puberty particularly concerning when it comes to handing over smartphones and social media? Why does social media seem to impact girls more negatively than boys? These are just some of the questions that today’s episode addresses. In addition, Haidt offers two solutions for improving teen mental health. This episode is not just for adults but also for teens who are directly affected by these issues. Of note, suicidal ideation is mentioned briefly in the episode.
Show NotesIn today’s episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with author Peggy Orenstein about a media-fueled risky sexual practice that is happening among some teens today — choking, also called sexual strangulation. Orenstein, who has spent many years researching sexuality among youth for her books “Girls and Sex” and “Boys and Sex,” investigated the topic of sexual choking for a New York Times article that was published last month. Today, Orenstein shares some of her findings from that investigation, including the influence of pornography and other media on this new trend. What are the psychological and physical risks of this practice? And what are ways to have productive conversations with young people on this and related topics? This episode also includes a 19-year-old discussing her concerns about sexual choking. This episode is intended for adult audiences.
Show NotesIn today’s episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with Casey O’Roarty, M. Ed., who is a well-recognized expert in Positive Discipline, particularly when it comes to tweens and teens. She is the author of Joyful Courage and the host of the Joyful Courage podcast and has spent over 15 years working with families. In this episode, Casey provides real-life anecdotes about when kids sneak screen time when they have meltdowns and other behaviors, and she explores fostering curiosity, addressing meltdowns, and finding the delicate balance between having firmness while fostering a strong parent-child relationship. In addition, another guest, a mother of three kids, shares her experience with ditching her old parenting ways to adopt the Positive Discipline approach.
Show NotesSometimes, gaming is not all fun and games. Foul words and degrading comments are all too common when kids and teens play video games together. From first-person shooter games like Call of Duty to building games like Minecraft and Roblox, competitive banter can be ugly. In this episode, Dr Ruston talks with Dr. Kishonna Gray, assistant professor of digital studies at the University of Kentucky, who researches various human dynamics that occur during video gaming. Dr. Gray works with parents and youth on how to manage the hard parts of gaming culture and shares many insights and solutions on today’s show. A teen gamer adds thoughts as well. This episode is intended for adult and youth audiences.
Show NotesWe're bringing back this episode today to help with the common arguments in the home about screen time and what to do. What is a parenting strategy that can promote healthy screen use, and other positive behaviors, while at the same time decrease fighting? In this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with one of her favorite parenting experts, Dr. Tammy Fisher Huson, about a strategy that has made a real difference in Dr. Ruston's own home.
Show NotesParenting kids has always had challenges, but now, in the tech revolution, conflicts are at a new level. The good news is that research shows that conflicts done well have all sorts of benefits for youth. But how do we ensure healthier conflicts? On today’s episode, Dr. Ruston talks with Lisa Damour, Ph.D. psychologist and author of three New York Times best-selling books about adolescents, including “The Emotional Lives of Teenagers.” The episode explores teen psychology, common screen time arguments, and several approaches to having healthier conflicts. The episode is intended for adult and youth audiences.
Show NotesConcerns over Snapchat use by its many young users seem to be discussed much less than concerns over TikTok and Instagram. Yet, issues with Snapchat are plenty — be it social conflicts or the sexually explicit material that can be seen on the app. In today's episode, Dr. Ruston discusses these topics and more with a high school boy and a young woman in college. The guests discuss problems created by the App's Snapscore feature, which is a ranking given to users based on how many snaps they send or receive. In addition, they talk about social conflicts that can happen on the app, issues around sexual content, and suggestions to parents regarding when to allow the app and how to talk about it with kids.
Show NotesIn this episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston dives into the pressing issue of social media addiction through the story of one young person, Lars, and insights from the chief of addiction medicine at Stanford, Ana Lembke, MD, and longtime media researcher Douglas Gentile, PhD. Through Lar’s struggle with social media addiction, listeners gain an intimate look at the impact of social media on mental health and identity. The episode sheds light on the various ways compulsive social media use can impact a young person and delves into the science behind digital addiction. Ultimately, Dr. Ruston and her guests offer valuable tips on how to know when social media use is in the zone of a clinical addiction and, most importantly, how to help teens who are in that zone, or wobbling there, to break free.
Show NotesIn this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks to author and psychologist Dr. Kristin Neff, Ph.D., about the power of self-compassion. They discuss the prevalent issue of self-criticism among parents, particularly regarding screen time, and how adopting self-compassion can help navigate such challenges. Dr. Neff and Dr. Ruston share personal parenting experiences along the way. The episode provides practical advice to help listeners, parents, and teens initiate their own self-compassion practice.
Show NotesIn this episode, Dr. Ruston tackles some of the thorniest screen time parenting issues with social worker Charlie Appelstein. Appelstein is the author of the popular book No Such Thing As A Bad Child. Using the framework of strength-based parenting, they explore strategies to help when youth break screen time rules and lie. They talk about creating fair consequences and what to do when teens are overly dismissive and mean to their parents. With over 40 years of working with youth and parents, Appelstein has a wealth of effective interventions at his fingertips.
Show NotesIn this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Ruston focuses on the science behind teen risky decision-making, both online and offline. Dr. Ruston speaks with researchers who shed light on the latest brain science, helping us better understand the biology behind adolescents' decision-making processes. With insights from experts such as psychiatrist Dr. Anna Lembke and psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour, parents will glean practical advice on guiding their children toward wiser decisions and setting fair consequences for rule-breaking.
Show NotesIn this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston explores the complex issue of weed use among teenagers in today's digital world. The discussion delves into how cannabis is portrayed and often glamorized on social media and the potential risks this poses to young people, including addiction and mental health concerns. The episode also sheds light on the cannabis industry’s lack of stringent regulation and the dangers of high THC products. Importantly, Dr. Ruston offers practical strategies for parents to engage in effective and meaningful conversations with their teens about cannabis use.
Show NotesOn today's episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston dives into the world of teens, vaping, and the cunning tactics e-cigarette companies use on social media. We'll uncover the health hazards of vaping, examine how influencers glamorize it, and we will expose deceptive marketing strategies. Joining me are Dr. Pam Ling and Rob Jackler, featured in my latest film, Screenagers Under The Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, and Alcohol in the Digital Age. They shed light on vaping's dangers and the industry's slick ploys to lure in young people. I also discuss how to empower our youth to see through these manipulations and protect themselves from the vaping industry's grasp.
Show NotesIn this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston interviews journalist Dashka Slater about her new book, Accountable, where she writes about the true story of a social media account run by a small group of teens who posted racist memes. The account spread quickly and got edgier as it went. The book follows the account’s profound effect on the teens, friends, and high school. Dr. Ruston's interview with Slater dives into issues like what compels teens to do things they know are out of bounds, such as acts of racism, the difference between guilt and shame, and transformative justice. Slater discusses methods of communicating with children about preventing doing such acts, and Dr. Ruston provides strategies for them to use when they encounter friends who do, and shares advice for parents and teens on dealing with the repercussions of online racism and the complexities of forgiveness and empathy.
Show NotesToday on The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston discusses skillful ways to respond when your kids break the family tech rules. One of the most challenging things for parents is knowing how to respond when kids break rules around screen time. Dr. Ruston talks about increasing the chances of kids following rules by getting collaborative input from them.
Show NotesDiscover the powerful strategy of a "love ambush" and becoming a mental health warrior. In this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston unveils the transformative impact of showing up unannounced to support those facing mental health challenges. Through personal stories and practical advice, Dr. Ruston unveils an approach to combatting isolation and building a caring team.
Show NotesSummer's heating up. In today's episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston explores how we can help teens have a better understanding of what makes up positive romantic relationships, including physical intimacy. In a past survey, teens between the ages of 14 and 17 were asked what sources help them understand sex. Thirty-one percent responded that helpful information was most likely to come from parents and 22 % said friends. Dr. Ruston says parents are a great resource if they want to take on this challenge and get better at it.
Show NotesIn today’s episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston shares recommendations for podcasts that you can listen to with your family this summer. So why these recommendations? Well, one of the objectives of the Screenagers movement is finding ways to connect youth and adults for meaningful conversations, not just about tech in our lives, but ways to help build in our kids' critical thinking, empathy, communication skills, and Dr. Ruston is a strong believer that listening to podcasts together and then discussing them can be a really terrific way to do that. It's also a way to celebrate one of the pearls of our tech revolution: the ability of people to become podcasters and to share science, stories, advice, and more.
Show NotesYouth will have more time to breathe and explore their interests beyond school, but so often, downtime becomes screen time. Summer’s wide open time spans can heighten battles over technology use. This is the perfect time to revisit your family rules, see what’s working and what’s not, and come up with summer guidelines.
Show NotesIn today’s episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with an 11-year-old girl, Mira, regarding what she likes about the popular gaming platform Roblox and the video game Minecraft. Mira also shares experiences she’s had with strangers while gaming. Mira discusses specific encounters and how she has handled such situations. Mira’s mom joins for part of the episode. If you have kids who do online gaming, listening to this episode with them can help spark important conversations.
Show NotesAs teens head back to school with even more emotional challenges than ever before due to the pandemic, providing them tools to address such challenges is crucial. Studies show that Social and Emotional Learning, called SEL, can help improve emotional well-being, academics, and more. In this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with Jordan Posamentier, Director of Policy and Advocacy for Committee for Children, about what constitutes effective SEL programs and how specifically all of us can advocate for getting SEL into all schools.
Show NotesIn today’s episode, Ruston talks with two mothers who have been working to have specific family times with less screen interference. First is a mom of four and her experience of doing screen-free family Sundays. Learn about the upsides and the challenges. The other is a mom in Alaska who has prioritized reading with her kids and how they keep screens at bay during this sacred time. This episode can be a good launching point for experimenting with new screen-free times in your home.
Show NotesWe've all heard the importance of parents showing a united front to their kids about rules. It’s a good thing to be united, but what about when you’re not? In this episode, Dr. Ruston looks at strategies parents can turn to when in disagreement — whether married or divorced. We gain insights from clinical psychologist Laura Kastner, Ph.D., and school counselor Tammy Fisher Huson, Ph.D., who both have spent decades working with youth and parents. And we hear from the researcher, Doug Gentile, who followed 1400 families for a year regarding family rules.
Show NotesWe are doing episodes on ways families experiment with having specific times for more togetherness and less screen interference. Today's episode of The Screenagers Podcast is with Tiffany Shlain and her daughter, Odessa. Tiffany is the founder of the Webby Awards, a filmmaker, and the author of the book 24/6. The podcast explores her family’s weekly ritual of unplugging Friday night to Saturday evening for “Tech Shabbat.” Tiffany and Odessa explain the what, why, and how of their weekly practice.
Show NotesWhen it comes to cyberbullying, what's fact and what's fiction? What do all kids need to know about how to handle online cruelty and how to help those getting targeted? And what can parents and schools do to be most helpful? On this episode of The Screenagers Project, Dr. Delaney Ruston speaks with psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Englander, who has spent decades researching and writing books on these topics.
Show NotesThis spring, as vaccination rates increase, more schools are opening their campuses for in-person learning. At the same time, anxiety about returning to school is high for many youth. How do we help our kids and teens who are experiencing anxious feelings related to school? To address this topic on The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston speaks with a high school student and two child psychologists, Dr. Elizabeth Englander, a researcher, and Dr. Laura Kastner, a clinical psychologist.
Show NotesFrustrated with his obsession with video gaming, Cam Adair wrote a post about his struggles that went viral. This led to his starting a movement that has brought together thousands to work to create a balanced life at Gamequitters.com. Cam is an international speaker who shares his story about gaming addiction and offers advice to youth and their parents. In today's episode of The Screenagers Podcast, he shares his powerful personal story along with his wealth of insights for any youth who enjoys video gaming and any parent who is working to ensure a balanced life for their child.
Show NotesEveryone knows that many young people play video games based on violent themes, and that shows have far more violence than when adults were kids. When COVID hit, many parents started to allow their kids to play games that they wouldn't have before COVID just because it has been such a source of connection and whatnot. In today’s episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston wants to understand what are the ways that this violence impacts our youth. We hear from one of Dr. Ruston’s favorite researchers in this area, Douglas Gentile, Ph.D., a child psychologist who has been doing groundbreaking research in this field for over 25 years.
Show NotesThese days Dr. Ruston hears parents’ concerns around all the video gaming their kids are doing — as well as social media and other screen time and their worries around the risks their kids will develop an addiction to technology. Dr. Ruston talks with Ed Spector, Psy.D., a psychologist who has worked with young people struggling with problematic video gaming and the internet. Learn what gaming disorder is and what strategies Dr. Spector uses with his clients to gain more balance in their tech lives.
Show NotesFalse information about vaccines has been around before social media, but now it can spread that much faster. The results have been deadly. We all want safe and effective vaccines against COVID. Today Dr. Ruston breaks down some of the false information around vaccines, explores amazing vaccine history, and relates this all to COVID. We also hear from kids and from a renowned vaccine researcher, Dr. Parker Small.
Show NotesNow more than ever, it is crucial to have the ability to spot disinformation on the internet. How skillful are our kids at spotting disinformation? In this episode, we meet the director of the Stanford History Education Group, Joel Breakstone, Ph.D., who has researched this topic — and it is not pretty. His team has analyzed how college students, historians, and fact-checkers evaluate websites in order to create effective strategies for spotting disinformation. We learn why the C.R.A.P. Test is outdated, and we hear from teens about how they decide not to reshare a post on social media.
Show NotesWith back to school starting, and with all the online and offline stressors our kids are facing, this show is about improving their wellbeing by focusing on healthy sleep. Have your kids and teens listen to this show with you! Hear fascinating insights from Dr. Judy Owens, the Director of Sleep Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital, and a neurology professor at Harvard Medical School. Explore the latest brain research with neuroscientist Adrian Galvan from UCLA and hear ideas from parents and a teen. Learn new ideas around increasing your child’s chance of getting brain nourishing sleep now during these incredibly challenging times, and into the future.
Show NotesArguments in the home about screen time are common and more so when school is in session, so what to do? What is a parenting strategy that can promote healthy screen use, and other positive behaviors, while at the same time, decrease fighting? In this episode, Delaney talks with one of her favorite parenting experts, Dr. Tammy Fisher Huson, about a strategy that Delaney learned from Tammy in the past and has made a real difference in Delaney’s own home. *And one quick note, past episodes were intentionally created for parents to listen to with their kids, but this one is more geared for parents. That said, if you do share it with your kids or teens, it may spark a helpful conversation about how your communication is going.
Show NotesIt is a brand new world where regular people of all ages can become stars on the internet overnight. But how do young influencers become brand marketers? Is it different for female and male influencers? Kids and teens feel connected and trust YouTubers they follow, but are they aware they are being marketed to? And, how is this type of marketing affecting our kids' self-esteem? Today’s guests include a talent manager for influencers who gives a behind the scenes look at these questions, along with teens who share their personal experiences.
Show NotesTime on TikTok has been skyrocketing. Why is it attracting such huge numbers of teens? What positives can happen on the app, and what are some of the risks? The sheer amount of time it consumes is what most young people say is TikTok’s biggest downside. On today’s show, Dr. Delaney Ruston speaks with two teenagers, Marie and Manisha, who answer these questions and others. Delaney puts on her metaphorical doctor’s coat when both girls share that they want to change their behavior on TikTok. Delaney helps them decide a plan of action, and then we flash forward to hear how they did with their goals.
Show NotesWhy do some kids and teens get overly frustrated and bored when it’s time to turn off their video games? How to know when game playing has become excessive? What are tips that all families should know for ensuring healthy video game play? In today’s episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston explores these issues along with a new model of brain biology to help explain irritability and boredom associated with video gaming. We hear from teens along with psychiatrist Dr. Clifford Sussman who specializes in helping young people regain tech balance. We also hear from Andrew Fulton who was in the film, Screenagers, when he was getting treatment at an internet rehab center, and is now working at the same center helping others recover from videogame overuse.
Show Notes
