The Screenagers trilogy

Screenagers Movie Poster

screenagers: growing up In the digital age

An award-winning film that probes into the vulnerable corners of family life and depicts messy struggles over social media, video games, and academics. The film offers solutions on how we can help our kids navigate the digital world.

Poster for screenagers next chapter showing the movie logo on top of a word cloud using the words, stress, anxiety and depression

Screenagers next chapter: youth Mental health in the digital age

Millions of young people experience high stress, anxiety, and depression. We follow physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston as she discovers solutions for improved adolescent well-being in the digital age.

Screenagers Under The Influence Poster
NEW MOVIE

Screenagers Under The Influence: Vaping drugs & Alcohol in the digital age

Join Screenagers’ filmmaker, Delaney Ruston, as she picks up her camera once more to examine the impact of our digital age on teens' decision-making in relation to substances such as vaping, drugs, and alcohol.

Praise for the Screenagers movies

arrow previousarrow next

“The timing of this movie could not be better or more urgent as we are facing a national youth mental health crisis"

Kelsey Fernandez, Prevention Coalition

The film really shakes up long-held beliefs about what is normal, acceptable, and safe.

Lili Schliesser, Clayton Schools

Wow! I just finished watching Under the Influence. The final line had me in tears - "we are here for them, not to shame them but to help them figure out their best and safest road forward.

Jill Smith, Resource Coordinator, Academy of World Languages, Ohio

“As the mother of three kids… we’re all worried about how much is too much. For any of you wrestling with this issue, I loved the documentary. It combines smart insights and practical tips for raising happy, healthy, technologically empowered teens.”

Melinda Gates

“Screenagers is a very balanced, sympathetic and sane look at the way millions of teens are struggling with phones and games and technology in general.”

Dave Eggers, Author

“I found it to be VERY POWERFUL and VALIDATING for both teens and parents.”

Louise Kirkhope, Social Worker

“I can’t imagine what school counsellor would not be eager to share this with their families.”

Nell Branco, School Counselor

“We are considering showing it again in the spring… one of the best events we have hosted.”

Julia T, Head of Upper School, Ann Arbor, MI

“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

“It’s a MUST SEE for anyone with kids in their lives!”

Martha Adams, Chief Creative Officer for Girl Rising

Screenings are available only through community events. ANYONE can host a screening at a school, community group, places of worship, workplace, theater or more.

IT'S EASY >

The Screenagers Project

On our online membership platform designed for K-12 schools, members enjoy unlimited on-demand access to our movies for their institutional use - e.g. In-Classroom, along with the option to run school screenings of the movies at their school location for the student and parents of their one school - e.g. Parents Nights.

Members also have access to an extensive new curriculum with lesson plans related to the themes in our movies, along with a range of other  content and resources.

LEARN MORE
Opens in new tab
The Screenagers Project Image

Screenagers on YouTube

Check out the Screenagers YouTube Channel where we post new videos twice a week, including podcasts, resources, parental guidance, previously unseen advice from the experts in our movies and much more!

Visit Our YouTube
Opens in new tab
Tech Talk Tuesdays - Delaney writing her blog

the screenagers blog - tech talk tuesdays

OUR FILMMAKER, DR. RUSTON, SHARES HER FAMILY’S WEEKLY TOPICS TO HELP YOU MANAGE AND DECREASE STRUGGLES AROUND SCREEN TIME.

Read the Blog
Must-Knows About Incognito Web Browsing

Must-Knows About Incognito Web Browsing

I've noticed a lot of confusion in my conversations with adults and teens about using incognito mode. Many don't realize that, even in incognito mode, the websites they visit can still track their activity and show them ads related to what they did during that session. If you are unfamiliar with Incognito mode, today I explain why and how kids may use it and why you want to know.

READ MORE >
March 12, 2024
Is Social Media Addiction A Real Thing?

Is Social Media Addiction A Real Thing?

In my latest Podcast, I speak with Anna Lembke, head of addiction medicine at Stanford and author of Dopamine Nation, as well as a young woman who was formally an aspiring influencer and driven by all the likes and such that come with social media. I’d love for you to listen to the podcast. OR, I’ve included the transcript here for you to read it.

READ MORE >
March 5, 2024
The Power of Self-Compassion: A Strategy for Smoother Parenting

The Power of Self-Compassion: A Strategy for Smoother Parenting

Some months ago, I got back into therapy, and I remember the first day back, the therapist asked me, “Do you do a self-compassion practice?” I remember the moment because I had one of those little head-scratching kind of moments. My therapist's question about a self-compassion practice made me want to understand what I might be missing and, most importantly, how self-compassion could help me as a parent and all parents.

READ MORE >
February 27, 2024

subscribe to tech talk tuesday

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Parenting in the Screen Age book cover

DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, CONVERSATIONS, 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.  

ORDER HERE

Meet Delaney ruston

documentary filmmaker, author, primary care physician and mother of teenagers

About the Filmmaker

event photos

Screenagers School Screening Event
Screenagers School Screening Event
Screenagers School Screening Event
Screenagers School Screening Event
Screenagers School Screening Event
Screenagers School Screening Event
Screenagers School Screening Event
Screenagers School Screening Event
VIEW ALL PHOTOS

press

New York Times Logo
in 'screenagers,' what to do about too much screen time

Dr. Ruston about her own family’s messy struggles with digital distractions, and the surprising insights she learned making this film.

PBS Logo
the drug-like effect of screen time on the teenage brain

Teenagers today have never known a world without the internet, which all ...

Good Morning america Logo
'screenagers' documentary examines impact of screens and new tech on kids'

‘Screenagers’ Documentary Examines Impact of Screens and New Tech on Kids’ Development

Doctor Oz logo
how technology may effect children

Dr. Delaney Ruston discusses the effects ... Guests: Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Delaney Ruston, Simon Sinek, Jason Silva

Washington Post Logo
how technology may effect children

Dr. Delaney Ruston discusses the effects ... Guests: Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Delaney Ruston, Simon Sinek, Jason Silva

MORE PRESS