Screenagers Blog

I have one goal with this week’s blog: Inspire you to make one and only one New Year’s Resolution about screen time rules. Maybe that has to do with your own behavior with screen time, maybe with your kids, family, or even work. And I’ll share with you my one-screen time rule for 2024.

I'm thrilled to share with you a special compilation of our most popular content from this year. Today, I want to take you on a curated journey through our top selections from the Tech Talk Tuesday blogs, YouTube Bites, and The Screenagers Podcast.

Recent conversations with several people about the complexities of gift-giving and relationships during the holidays have inspired today’s blog. Guided by my mantra, 'My main job is to learn to love the best I can and be loved the best I can,' I believe in the profound impact of heartfelt actions. Simple gestures like writing cherished memories or crafting personal notes can become profoundly touching gifts. Today, I dive into creative and meaningful ways to gift through expressions of love in a quest to deepen our connections with those we cherish.

We put together a list of 7 compelling documentaries perfect for family viewing over the Holidays. The films will help spark meaningful conversations. Check trailers and ratings for appropriateness when selecting documentaries to enjoy with your kids.

Whether you are headed off on vacation journeys or just spending time at home during the holidays, I have some mind-opening podcast suggestions to listen to with the whole family. It can be fun to listen to only parts of any of these suggestions to allow more time for talking and then finish them at the next drive or sitting.

Our unique Tech-Free Gift Guide offers a refreshing escape from digital overload, presenting a handpicked selection of imaginative gifts. From culinary adventures and creative arts to educational magazines and physical activities, we emphasize experiences that foster family bonding, creativity, and healthy habits. The guide includes community-building ideas like mural painting and beekeeping, encouraging children and teens to engage in enriching, screen-free activities while creating lasting memories and developing new skills.

With Thanksgiving week upon us, today’s blog is about the nuanced world of family gatherings, where warmth and tension often intermingle. Moving beyond the picture-perfect imagery of Hallmark cards, I have some strategies to cope with family dynamics that can escalate holiday stress. I also share 4 joy-enhancing activity ideas.

We recently launched the Screenagers YouTube Channel where we will be uploading a range of new content and resources each week, such as movie clips, podcasts and other original content. I wanted this week to introduce you to the first regular feature on the channel - Screenagers Bites!

Today, I share a clip from Screenagers Under The Influence, in which three myths concerning parenting and alcohol are exposed. Often after screenings of the movie, parents come up to me and say how stunned they are to learn about the research.

Last week, over three dozen states filed a lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. The lawsuit alleges that Meta deliberately designed features on Instagram and Facebook to have addictive qualities, particularly for young users, despite knowing the potentially harmful effects of their technology. We are at a critical point where the deceptive tactics Meta uses to keep users, especially youths, constantly engaged are getting exposed, and states are demanding accountability. Read the lowdown that is absolutely worth a chat with your children.

My team and I have been bustling behind the scenes, thinking up new episodes for the Screenagers Podcast and new posts for my weekly Tech Talk Tuesday Blog. Your input at this time would be FANTASTIC! What topics do you want covered? Do your kids have ideas for topics?

Today, I am concentrating on 3 steps to help protect our kids from the downsides of social media and overall screen time, especially given the prevalence of violence, misinformation, and distressing content right now.