The Screenagers Movies

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.

Runtimes: Original: 67 Minutes, Classroom: 46 Minutes
NEW MOVIE

screenagers: Elementary School Age edition

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.

Release Date: 09/03/2024. Available now to license.
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.

Runtimes: Original: 63 Minutes, Classroom: 50 Minutes
Screenagers Under The Influence Poster

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.

Runtimes: Original: 70 Minutes, Classroom: 50 Minutes

AWAY FOR THE DAY

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.

LEARN MORE
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Praise for the Screenagers movies

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“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
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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
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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
Why Your Child Should Know About “Problematic Social Media Use”

Why Your Child Should Know About “Problematic Social Media Use”

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.

READ MORE >
October 8, 2024
Uniting Families to Delay Smartphones and Social Media

Uniting Families to Delay Smartphones and Social Media

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.

READ MORE >
October 1, 2024
Dissecting Insta's New Teen Accounts

Dissecting Insta's New Teen Accounts

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.

READ MORE >
September 24, 2024

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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

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