Last week we talked about the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” and how to talk to your kids about the hard subjects seen in the show. The show has remained a constant headline for its graphic portrayal of cyberbullying, rape and suicide. It has received so much attention, Netflix announced a second set of warnings before episodes.
Since our last post, we have received a lot of emails and comments about those hard issues from school administrators, parents, and counselors who work with teens. This week, we think it’s important to focus on what the teens think about the show and its provocative content. What are they saying about “13 Reasons Why?” Are they as freaked out about the show as their teachers and parents?
Not really.
One middle schooler told us that she can’t believe we are still so concerned about it. “That show was like 2 weeks ago,” she said. “I can’t believe you are still talking about it.”
Our producer’s 8th-grade daughter was very moved by the show. “It showed me that it is so important to be kind and understanding toward everyone. You never know what someone may be going through.”
A 9th-grader recently told me she and her friends felt that Hannah, the main character, was not someone any of them could relate to. They felt her actions were really not OK. She said, “Hannah should have said something when she saw her friend being attacked,” referring to a graphic scene in the show.
Selena Gomez, one of the show’s producers, has come forward with her own mental health challenges around anxiety and PTSD. In Vogue this month she talks about how DBT or dialectical behavior therapy has helped her get better. She says, “I wish more people would talk about therapy. We girls are taught to be almost too resilient, to be strong and sexy and cool and laid-back, the girl who is down. We also need to feel OK to fall apart.”
In a heartfelt essay for Teen Vogue, young adult YouTuber Eva Gutowski told her viewers - our teens - that she understands just how isolating it can feel when you are experiencing depression, bullying or other hardships. “It can feel like you're the only one going through that when that's not actually the case.”
It is so important to listen to our kids about what they are feeling and experiencing. Here are some questions to get the conversation going for this week’s Tech Talk Tuesday:
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
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!
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
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Last week we talked about the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” and how to talk to your kids about the hard subjects seen in the show. The show has remained a constant headline for its graphic portrayal of cyberbullying, rape and suicide. It has received so much attention, Netflix announced a second set of warnings before episodes.
Since our last post, we have received a lot of emails and comments about those hard issues from school administrators, parents, and counselors who work with teens. This week, we think it’s important to focus on what the teens think about the show and its provocative content. What are they saying about “13 Reasons Why?” Are they as freaked out about the show as their teachers and parents?
Not really.
One middle schooler told us that she can’t believe we are still so concerned about it. “That show was like 2 weeks ago,” she said. “I can’t believe you are still talking about it.”
Our producer’s 8th-grade daughter was very moved by the show. “It showed me that it is so important to be kind and understanding toward everyone. You never know what someone may be going through.”
A 9th-grader recently told me she and her friends felt that Hannah, the main character, was not someone any of them could relate to. They felt her actions were really not OK. She said, “Hannah should have said something when she saw her friend being attacked,” referring to a graphic scene in the show.
Selena Gomez, one of the show’s producers, has come forward with her own mental health challenges around anxiety and PTSD. In Vogue this month she talks about how DBT or dialectical behavior therapy has helped her get better. She says, “I wish more people would talk about therapy. We girls are taught to be almost too resilient, to be strong and sexy and cool and laid-back, the girl who is down. We also need to feel OK to fall apart.”
In a heartfelt essay for Teen Vogue, young adult YouTuber Eva Gutowski told her viewers - our teens - that she understands just how isolating it can feel when you are experiencing depression, bullying or other hardships. “It can feel like you're the only one going through that when that's not actually the case.”
It is so important to listen to our kids about what they are feeling and experiencing. Here are some questions to get the conversation going for this week’s Tech Talk Tuesday:
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
Sign up here to receive the weekly Tech Talk Tuesdays newsletter from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD.
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Last week we talked about the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” and how to talk to your kids about the hard subjects seen in the show. The show has remained a constant headline for its graphic portrayal of cyberbullying, rape and suicide. It has received so much attention, Netflix announced a second set of warnings before episodes.
Since our last post, we have received a lot of emails and comments about those hard issues from school administrators, parents, and counselors who work with teens. This week, we think it’s important to focus on what the teens think about the show and its provocative content. What are they saying about “13 Reasons Why?” Are they as freaked out about the show as their teachers and parents?
Not really.
One middle schooler told us that she can’t believe we are still so concerned about it. “That show was like 2 weeks ago,” she said. “I can’t believe you are still talking about it.”
Our producer’s 8th-grade daughter was very moved by the show. “It showed me that it is so important to be kind and understanding toward everyone. You never know what someone may be going through.”
A 9th-grader recently told me she and her friends felt that Hannah, the main character, was not someone any of them could relate to. They felt her actions were really not OK. She said, “Hannah should have said something when she saw her friend being attacked,” referring to a graphic scene in the show.
Selena Gomez, one of the show’s producers, has come forward with her own mental health challenges around anxiety and PTSD. In Vogue this month she talks about how DBT or dialectical behavior therapy has helped her get better. She says, “I wish more people would talk about therapy. We girls are taught to be almost too resilient, to be strong and sexy and cool and laid-back, the girl who is down. We also need to feel OK to fall apart.”
In a heartfelt essay for Teen Vogue, young adult YouTuber Eva Gutowski told her viewers - our teens - that she understands just how isolating it can feel when you are experiencing depression, bullying or other hardships. “It can feel like you're the only one going through that when that's not actually the case.”
It is so important to listen to our kids about what they are feeling and experiencing. Here are some questions to get the conversation going for this week’s Tech Talk Tuesday:
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
Many adults keep their phones by the bed — it feels harmless, even necessary. But what if that habit is quietly affecting our sleep and the example we set for our kids? In this week’s blog, Dr. Ruston shares two key things every parent should know about sleeping next to a phone, and how small nighttime tech changes can make a big difference for the whole family.
READ MORE >
From Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto to violence and gunfire in movies and shows, aggression is a constant backdrop in boys’ media diets. And with various influencers and online personalities framing success through the lens of strength, competition, dominance and winning, boys are being handed a narrow script for masculinity. As parents, one of the most important things we can do is offer a counterweight. We can help boys strengthen empathy, compassion, and respect as core traits of masculinity, so they have a broader, healthier vision of who they can become.
READ MORE >
Last week we introduced you to our Screen-Free Sleep campaign! Since then, we’ve been flooded with emails and calls, and most are asking the same question: How can we get this spreading in our school? Today’s blog has the answers.
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.
