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.
In fall 2024 we launch Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition, which updates the original movie with the latest research, insight and advice, tailored for the students, parents and educators of elementary schools.
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.
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.
Our campaign to stop phone use in schools.
Research shows that kids and teens do better with phones away during school hours. This movement is giving you — parents, teachers, school leaders, and concerned individuals — tools so that you can go to your school and help institute policies where phones and smartwatches are put away all day at school.
“The timing of this movie could not be better or more urgent as we are facing a national youth mental health crisis"
The film really shakes up long-held beliefs about what is normal, acceptable, and safe.
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.
“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.”
“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.”
“I found it to be VERY POWERFUL and VALIDATING for both teens and parents.”
“I can’t imagine what school counsellor would not be eager to share this with their families.”
“We are considering showing it again in the spring… one of the best events we have hosted.”
“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.”
“It’s a MUST SEE for anyone with kids in their lives!”
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 >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.
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!
OUR FILMMAKER, DR. RUSTON, SHARES HER FAMILY’S WEEKLY TOPICS TO HELP YOU MANAGE AND DECREASE STRUGGLES AROUND SCREEN TIME.
Many young people are overwhelmed by constant social media use, which can displace important activities like sleep, schoolwork, and friendships. Over 200 school districts are suing platforms like Meta for harms related to social media addiction. The blog covers what problematic social media use is from a clinical perspective and how our kids can talk with a friend (or family member) if they are worried their friend might have some level of problematic use.
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Can parents really come together as communities to delay social media and smartphones? You bet! It’s happening more and more across the country. In today's blog, I share excerpts from my latest podcast episode. It features my interview with Brooke Shannon, the founder of the “Wait Until 8th movement,” which helps parents delay smartphones until the end of 8th grade or later while also encouraging delaying social media.
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A week ago, Instagram announced changes to its rules for “Teen Accounts.” All new teen users will be defaulted into these accounts, and current teen users will transition over the next two months. Instagram’s head of Products, discussed these changes, and one comment surprised me. She mentioned that teens aged 13 to 16 will need parental permission to have a public account, hoping this would encourage dialogue between teens and parents about social media use. However, I feel this still puts too much responsibility on parents when we need broader societal solutions. I discuss this and the rest of the changes in today's blog.
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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 HEREdocumentary filmmaker, author, primary care physician and mother of teenagers
About the Filmmaker
Dr. Ruston about her own family’s messy struggles with digital distractions, and the surprising insights she learned making this film.
Teenagers today have never known a world without the internet, which all ...
‘Screenagers’ Documentary Examines Impact of Screens and New Tech on Kids’ Development
Dr. Delaney Ruston discusses the effects ... Guests: Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Delaney Ruston, Simon Sinek, Jason Silva
Dr. Delaney Ruston discusses the effects ... Guests: Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Delaney Ruston, Simon Sinek, Jason Silva
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