The Screenagers Blog

The home of "Tech Talk Tuesdays"

Screenagers Blog Tech Talk Tuesdays

“Having calm, consistent conversations has greatly improved screen balance in my home and I have written hundreds of articles to help others through my weekly Tech Talk Tuesdays newsletter and blog.”— Delaney Ruston, MD Physician/Filmmaker"

all posts

(
500+
)
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Thank youpre! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
December 28, 2020
Screen Time Reduction Skills

Most Talked About Tech Talk Tuesdays of 2020

I am jazzed today to share with you the top 10 blog posts of this past year. People found an array of topics extremely helpful, from gaming, to screen time during Covid, to podcast recommendations, to information about social media, and of course so much more.

READ MORE >
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
December 21, 2020
Social Media

The Rabbit Hole of Social Media Just Got Deeper

I predict that based on the huge success of TikTok, the new similar features on Snapchat and Instagram are going to become very popular. Today I talked to some teens about these new services.

READ MORE >
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
December 15, 2020
Video Games

Addressing Toxic Video Gaming Environments

Video gaming has understandably gone up hugely during Covid distancing. Kids and teens have fun playing with friends—which is great—yet, there are risks and challenges. Today’s TTT addresses the mean and hurtful communication happening in gaming spaces.

READ MORE >
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
December 8, 2020
Media Recommendations

12 Documentaries To Watch With Your Family

Today I have picked some docs that are sure to expand your youth’s knowledge of the environment, society, politics, and most of all, human nature and the human condition. Also, I include discussion questions for some of the films.

READ MORE >
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
November 30, 2020
Creativity

2020 Non-Tech Holiday Gift Ideas

I have 22 tech-free gift ideas that will inspire, entertain, stretch, and delight the whole family for this holiday season.

READ MORE >
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
November 24, 2020
Challenging Conversations

Teaching our kids the trickiness of thanks

I find that people rarely talk about how nervous and self-conscious we humans can feel when we thank someone for something they did or said. And yet, so often, these uncomfortable expressions of gratitude are the truly meaningful ones.

READ MORE >
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
November 10, 2020
Video Games

Video Gaming “Among Us” Advice

The newest game on the block is Among Us. Are your kids playing? Playing too much? Today I write about approaches to managing emotions around video game use during the pandemic.

READ MORE >
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
November 2, 2020
Mental Health

Let Love Lead

The human condition is one in which some degree of pain, suffering, and loss are inevitable. What has helped me with this fact is anchoring onto a mantra that popped into my mind some years ago, which is "let love lead."

READ MORE >
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
October 27, 2020
Homework & Schoolwork

School Online, Multitasking, and More

Staying on task and paying attention in a classroom online when pulled by many tabs and often phones nearby is intensely challenging. Today I share some solutions that kids have shared when it comes to studying online.

READ MORE >
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
October 20, 2020
Social Media

“Texting Preferred Over In-Person Time”...REALLY???

I have been asking kids and teens the following, “If you had a totally free Saturday, what would you choose — being at home communicating with friends over social media, or being with your friends in-person?” Every single time I get the same response: “being with my friends in-person.” Learn their surprising responses.

READ MORE >
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
October 13, 2020
Mental Health

Friendships During COVID

Many young people are feeling disconnected from friends and at the same time, others have been able to maintain a sense of closeness to friends. And, we, parents, are concerned about our kids in these incredibly challenging social times. Today I give tips for talking with your kids about appreciating any goodness happening in their friendships — and how the tech revolution has been helpful.

READ MORE >
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
October 5, 2020
Parenting Resources

My Book Launch of Parenting in the Screen Age

Today I am sharing an excerpt from the introduction of my new book, Parenting in the Screen Age, and a peek at the Table of Contents too. This book is all about how we, as parents, can feel as empowered as possible to help our kids maintain healthy screen time — whether during summer vacation, a busy school year or stuck quarantined through a pandemic.

READ MORE >
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
September 29, 2020
Media Literacy

How To Think Like A Fact-Checker

Helping our kids find reliable information in the vast swamp of misinformation, disinformation, conspiracies, and propaganda on the internet and social media right now is crucial. To help our kids better understand what they are seeing and not passing on anything suspect, I give you a peek into the 3 questions fact-checkers start with when trying to validate a story.

READ MORE >
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
September 22, 2020
Mental Health

Every Child 10 And Up Needs To Know

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and it is important to think and talk about this difficult subject with our kids this month. Today I share ideas about having such a conversation along with a link to a section of Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER that is dear to my heart and really touches those adults and youth who see it.

READ MORE >
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
September 15, 2020
Mental Health

Nerves On Edge In Your Home?

Today I am sharing some ideas for parents to help decrease tension in the home. Focusing on what we can do — rather than what others are doing that annoys us is key. Bringing down our own stress level works wonders to lower stress in the entire home.

READ MORE >
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
September 8, 2020
School Environments

Rethinking PE – Back To School

As kids do school from home, how many will have ways to be physically active? And, if you are a parent that has a kid or teen that you have tried everything to get them to move and nothing works, I get you. I don’t have a magic bullet, but I do have some ideas today that may be helpful.

READ MORE >
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
September 1, 2020
Screen Time Reduction Skills

TTT Book Launch

I have some big news! I have been working on a book for quite some time, and it is finally just about ready! It is titled, Parenting In The Screen Age: A Guide for Calm Conversations.

READ MORE >
Speech Bubble icon
tech talk tuesdays
August 25, 2020
Sleep

Setting a Sleep Routine for Back to School

Today I discuss powerful research regarding how sleep deficiency can impact brain development. Having a calm conversation about the latest science of sleep and brain development before even broaching the ideas of new sleep rules can be effective.

READ MORE >