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"

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tech talk tuesdays
February 24, 2020
Social Media

TikTok and The High of an Audience

Recently I was with a teen who was jumping up and down as she exclaimed how she now had 10,000 followers and some 400,000 views on a video she had posted on TikTok. What does this increased chance of quickly getting a massive number of followers and views mean for our youth?

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tech talk tuesdays
February 18, 2020
Depression

Reasons teens now report higher depression rates

Why are a higher percentage of tweens and teens reporting depression symptoms than in the past? Today I want to talk about all the reasons why we might be seeing this rise, and I hope you will discuss these ideas with kids and students in your lives.

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tech talk tuesdays
February 10, 2020
Depression

Detangling Teen Depression in the Digital Age

One of the central goals I have in my work is to help parents find ways to better give health knowledge and science literacy skills to their kids and teens. Today I share what medical providers use to help identify symptoms of depression.

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tech talk tuesdays
February 3, 2020
Parenting Resources

My Letter to the Editor at The New York Times

Read my New York Times ‘ Letter to the Editor in response to a recent article that builds a case headlines that are confusing parents on what to do around screen time for their kids and the potential harm of these types of headlines …and provide a few solutions.

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tech talk tuesdays
January 27, 2020
Challenging Conversations

Online Rejection, How to Help

There are many ways our teens regularly experience rejection online. Today I give some ideas for ways to help them through those emotionally rough times.

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tech talk tuesdays
January 21, 2020
Parenting Resources

A Dozen Ideas For Finding Support

I wholeheartedly believe that raising kids who can ask for help is one of the best resiliency skills we provide our children and teens. Today I write about many organizations and types of people that can lend support during emotionally hard times for your youth, and you.

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tech talk tuesdays
January 13, 2020
Parenting Resources

Values are the Secret

One of the main ways that I stay grounded while raising emerging adults during our tech revolution is by reminding myself of the power of values. Today I go into what I call the Three C’s that help to guide my parenting.

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tech talk tuesdays
January 7, 2020
Social Media

Instagram is Hiding Likes

Instagram recently started testing hiding Likes in the US. Today I explore what that looks like, and why they are interested in implementing this new view. Celebrities and others have talked about the positive emotional effect of hiding Likes. Are you your kids part of this experiment?

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tech talk tuesdays
December 31, 2019
Creativity

What is Fair in Love and Screens?

In SCREENAGERS: Growing Up in the Digital Age, you witness me trying to make a set of rules happen in our home. I made a contract, but I soon realized that to make it work, I needed to find ways to get my kids to participate in setting the guidelines.

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tech talk tuesdays
December 23, 2019
Media Recommendations

Best Podcasts for Families 2020

Sharing podcast recommendations is something I do often with friends and colleagues. I wanted to share some of my recent picks for listening with the youth in your life.

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tech talk tuesdays
December 17, 2019
Creativity

Tech-Free Gift Guide

I have more than 20 ideas for non-tech holiday gifts this year. And, many are things you can make yourself.

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tech talk tuesdays
December 10, 2019
Social Media

Fake Identities and Real Concerns

In online games with chatrooms, people with bad intentions can pretend to be any age. They can say they are a friend-of-a-friend as a way to enter the chat. Children are susceptible because they are unsuspecting, and by the time they may realize something is not right, shame and threats may already be in place to keep them quiet and scared.

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tech talk tuesdays
December 3, 2019
Away For The Day

High Schools Get Students to Put Their Phones Away

We are making changes on Away For The Day. We are now advocating an away-for-the-day cellphone policy not just for middle schools but for high schools and, of course, elementary schools, too. Today we share experiences from trailblazers and resources for anyone to get the policy changed at their school.

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November 25, 2019
Creativity

A Togetherness Kit

How to promote shared discussions and shared experiences during this time? Thanksgiving’s themes of gratitude, empathy, and sharing are a perfect launching pad.

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November 18, 2019
Parenting Resources

Confessions of a Distracted Parent

Have you ever felt like you were half-listening to your kids because you were distracted by your device? In a large survey of kids and teens, 32% reported feeling "unimportant" when parents used their cell phone conversations. In Today’s Tech Talk Tuesday I explore this issue.

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November 11, 2019
Video Games

Gaming, A New Approach

Gaming, a new approach... how to help our kids and teens that just can't stop. China is setting curfews, but what can we do as caregivers to set limits in our homes... and why it's so important.

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November 5, 2019
Screen Time Rules

Worrisome Data, A New Call To Action

I thought it could not be possible, but for teens, ages 13 to 18, screen time has gone up by 42 minutes over the past four years. Teens now spend, on average, 7 hours and 22 minutes per day on screens, not including homework or schoolwork.

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October 28, 2019
Screen Time Rules

People Share Rules for Screens and Sleep

Today I'm sharing with you dozens of rules and solutions other families have come up with around how to keep devices out of the bedroom during sleep hours.

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