The Screenagers Blog

tech talk tuesdays

While compiling the list of non-tech gifts for this holiday season, I so enjoyed the distraction from the complexities and uncertainties of COVID. This is my 6th annual Screenagers' gift list and brings 25 unique, creative present ideas for all ages.

tech talk tuesdays

With the holidays coming, you might be thinking about buying your kid a phone. In today's blog, I include some reviews of non-smartphones and some experiences and recommendations from other parents.

tech talk tuesdays

There is a long-standing belief that dinner needs to be about checking in with everyone about their day mainly, and then, from there, people can bring up other topics. There is also a myth that this should be satisfying enough for everyone at the table.The truth is some kids and teens get a bit frustrated or bored by dinnertime. Today I propose ways to add some spice to your regular dinner routine by sharing some fun dinner activities.

tech talk tuesdays

Today I’m writing about what the Wall Street Journal’s reporting on the Facebook Files tells us about what Facebook and Instagram know about “Likes” and what they are not telling us, and solutions on how we can help our youth with “Likes.”

tech talk tuesdays

Time for some book and podcast recommendations — Thanksgiving and winter breaks are coming up, and you might have more time to read. I am sharing some suggestions of books and podcasts I have liked — a few of which are just for parents and others are for tweens and teens.

tech talk tuesdays

Today I explore what Discord and Twitch are, some of the risks of the platforms, some ways to mitigate risks, and some ideas for helping your youth make healthy, good decisions when using these.

tech talk tuesdays

“I am a parent of two teenage daughters (16 and 14), both in high school. I am frustrated with how the schools encourage social media usage by using it for communication. The softball team communicates through Twitter. Clubs communicate through Instagram. The band uses Snapchat. How do we best encourage (request/demand) the schools to use non-social media platforms for activities, sports, and clubs?... Any advice?”

tech talk tuesdays

In 2016 FB (and Instagram) asked me to come to their headquarters and show Screenagers to their adolescent division. I spoke about negative emotions that were happening to young people related to social media and my concerns about excessive use and addiction. Around that same time, Facebook was talking about developing a Facebook-type product for youth younger than 13. Fortunately, there was pushback from the public, and this never came to fruition. Our voices matter. We want to support our kids having a voice in this discussion. This week's Tech Talk Tuesday, gives you ideas about talking with your kids about the leaked papers that revealed that Facebook has been internally talking about how youth can have very negative emotions on social media but find it hard to pull away.

tech talk tuesdays

So much is happening this week with Facebook/Instagram. The Facebook/Instagram whistleblower is testifying at this moment before the Senate. Yesterday Facebook, Instagram, Oculus, and WhatsApp all went down for hours for the first time ever. In a 60 Minutes interview from Sunday, the whistleblower, Frances Haugen, talks about why she decided to go public with internal company documents. This is an incredible learning moment for our kids and there are great timely, relevant ways to engage them in all these topics (that affect them!) which I discuss in this week’s TTT

tech talk tuesdays

Let’s mobilize and ramp up our concerted efforts to put limits on tech’s reach into our homes. I have always said, “Our tech revolution warrants a parenting revolution.” Part of the revolution requires that we step out of our comfort zone to speak up.

tech talk tuesdays

Many schools around the country are doing a 180-degree shift regarding suicide prevention education — and this is good! It was practically unheard of just five years ago. That said, it is not yet everywhere, and that is why reading this blog and talking with your children is so important.

tech talk tuesdays

China has just launched new video gaming restrictions for kids under 18: Kids cannot play video games (on computers or phones) during the week, limiting their video gaming from 8 pm to 9 pm, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and on public holidays, totaling no more than 3 hours per week. Are the rules enforced?

tech talk tuesdays

The science is clear: Having phones used less during the school day increases connections and decreases distractions. Students do better socially and emotionally, as shown by research. Now more than ever, it’s time to look at our Away For The Day Campaign, which is full of tools to help bring change to your elementary, middle, or high school.

tech talk tuesdays

I have been thinking a lot about going back to school, and recently, I listened to the behavioral scientist BJ Fogg uses the term “skill them up” when talking about how to help someone activate and reach a goal in their life. Today I share three key skills that can benefit our kids and students greatly.

tech talk tuesdays

Parenting is inherently anxiety-provoking. But feeling anxious at times is different than letting anxiety control the way we parent. Today I share some true stories that demonstrate this and offer ideas on how we can prevent anxiety from taking hold of our own wheels.

tech talk tuesdays

Today’s TTT is about whether including the topic of porn in sex education should happen or not is a keen way of instigating dialogue with tweens and teens about porn. And remember, smartphones are unfortunately an easy portal into porn, so nudging ourselves to talk more frequently about porn is so important — these are not easy conversations to have.

tech talk tuesdays

Today I share how my husband and I got to a better place with our communication conflict and why we shared the details with our kids. Life is not about riding horses off into the sunset but rather riding elephants into plain view.

tech talk tuesdays

In today’s Tech Talk Tuesday, I explore how to open a conversation with your kids and teens about what to do with the steady stream of YouTube videos with influencers giving them so many mixed messages.

tech talk tuesdays

A few weeks ago a dear friend shared with me about her screen-free family Sundays with her 3 kids. When Jamie started Screen-Free Sundays, they planned to just try it out for a month so she wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by the experiment. I also talk with a mom in Alaska who prioritized reading in her family in all sorts of ways — and keeping screens at bay when they read. Hear how the experiments have gone.

tech talk tuesdays

Recently, I spoke with someone who has decided to really cut down on their social media use and news feeds because they saw how it was impacting their mental state. I have written in the past and podcasted about how we help our kids recognize disinformation, but today I’m discussing managing the quantity of “bad news.”

tech talk tuesdays

Today I share strategies to help parents in conflict over screen time limits. I know, generally, it is important to have a united front for our kids about things like rules, but what about the benefits of bringing some conflict out into the open at times?

tech talk tuesdays

Given that we are halfway through 2021, I thought it was a good time to share the top read Tech Talk Tuesdays in 2021 thus far. Whether it is to catch up on any you’ve missed or reread something you found helpful before, this list of the top picks is a good way to go.

tech talk tuesdays

I love that during summer, there’s a relief from the complexities of school-based social stressors, and it can be a good time to bring up some of the more awkward conversations of parenting. So let's take this relative downtime of summer to bring up the topic of what makes for loving, kind intimate relationships. And yes, this may well get into sexuality. Today I give you tips on how to address this.

tech talk tuesdays

Last week I mentioned in the blog that youth often enjoy doing self-assessment questionnaires. Well, today it is about the fact that they — and, us, as well, appreciate a fun, competitive quiz. I have developed The Digital Age Quiz, tested it with youth, and it has been a hit. The key is to make it a competition. This quiz is great for everyone in your family, or group of any kind, even a summer camp group!

tech talk tuesdays

“Pre-commitment” is the term that comes to mind as I sit down to share some summer-fun ideas. In behavioral psychology, pre-commitment is all about doing an action, such as creating a contract with yourself before doing something, to increase the chance you actually do that something. Read on for some ideas to boost summer fun.

tech talk tuesdays

Screenagers: Next Chapter explores openly, the topic of mental health in youth today and meets many real-world young people and families, openly discussing their stories, challenges and identifying solutions applicable to all. Learn more about why now is the right time to screen this movie at your school.

tech talk tuesdays

From the wide range of feedback we have received over the years, we have learned more and more about the real-world benefits hosts and viewers have gained from our movies. Presented here, for those thinking about hosting a screening in their community is feedback on the most widely reported benefits we have seen.

tech talk tuesdays

We made the Screenagers movies to be shown in group community settings such as schools, places of worship, workplaces and more. Let us share with you the steps to putting on your own successful Screenagers event, along with some of our most helpful tips!

tech talk tuesdays

As the world starts to open up more, and household members are newly pulled in different directions, I thought it was the perfect time to consider how families can create routines to feel connected. In today's TTT, I share with you a weekly break from tech that one family calls Tech Shabbat.

tech talk tuesdays

Many children are languishing when it comes to having in-person social activities. Yes, there is more in-person school, but many youth feel lonely, unseen, and unsure of things. This can be so tricky for us parents — especially when our kids are teens. The last thing we want to do is helicopter parenting, but there is a role for our social engineering at times.

tech talk tuesdays

It is the last week of Mental Health Awareness Month, and I wanted to recommend a fun game I invented to do with your family that has been given a big thumbs up by youth. It is called “Boggled by Emotions.” It takes two minutes, and sure way to get smiles in your home or classroom.

tech talk tuesdays

Can you commit to making one small change around a screen time habit for a specific amount of time and to discuss your plans with kids in your life. Today, I explore reasons why this helps our kids and offer plenty of examples of small changes to consider.

tech talk tuesdays

Every one of us parents has experienced episodes of pain because of our child’s pain. Our pain becomes exponentially worse when our kids face things such as serious mood challenges, drug challenges, etc. Add to that parents often feel judged by others for what is happening with their child. Moms have traditionally been the brunt of judgment. Today I share a story about what happened with me and three sisters and one of their daughters who has battled anxiety and depression.

tech talk tuesdays

Today I speak with a psychologist and researcher who has been working for decades to understand and prevent bullying. The word cyberbullying gets used A LOT by young people, and sometimes it's misused. Today I explore how to talk with our kids about cyberbullying and ways we can support them in our schools.

tech talk tuesdays

These are tough times for lots of kids and teens, and high on the list is anxiety concerning school. These feelings may be from social anxiety that existed before but accelerated during Covid or perhaps anxiety around possible virus transmission.Today, I write about creating a “Toolbox” of healthy coping strategies for anxious feelings and feature 2 incredible psychologist's ideas.

tech talk tuesdays

Pre, during, or post COVID, it’s equally challenging for us when our kids and teens resist what we know will help them. How do external rewards fit into all of this? Don’t rewards just crush internal motivation? And while we might “win” in the short term, aren’t we messing them up in the long run? And how does some clever social engineering as a parent fit into all this?

tech talk tuesdays

I am concerned about our youth, and science substantiates my worries as studies are reporting very high rates of mental health challenges. I’m calling on everyone to band together to find solutions. I have lots of ideas I explore with you today.

tech talk tuesdays

Spring cleaning time is here, and a spring reset is a good time to look at and make changes in your screen-time balance. I am not talking about some gigantic reset, just one or two small tweaks. Today I give 4 easy steps.

tech talk tuesdays

Feelings of compassion have been intensely visceral for me this year. It has made me reflect on books and podcasts that have influenced me in the far past and the near-present. Today I share a few that inspire compassion and insight that you can listen to or with your kids, or they can read or listen alone.

tech talk tuesdays

Online interactions can be the only clues to understand an interpersonal dynamic. Is someone not responding because they are busy? Or are they “Ghosting” you? Today I’m writing about “closing the loop” and other digital etiquettes.

tech talk tuesdays

A big shift has happened, a reset is remerging, and how we communicate as schools and families is critical. What types of committees will we make? How should such emails even be changed?

tech talk tuesdays

I have been thinking a lot about ways we can supplement our children’s learning this spring. Today I have ideas for 3 “Home Mini-Courses.”

tech talk tuesdays

Teen years are full of emotional landmines. For example, our kids might be a click away from seeing a post that feels like a huge slight and then spiral into intensely painful emotions that can last for weeks. Today I talk about how parents can help them through.

tech talk tuesdays

Not surprisingly, reports on porn use have shown an upswing of use during COVID. Today I have tips on how to have those necessary and challenging conversations about this with our kids and teens.

tech talk tuesdays

As a teenager, Cam Adair‘s video gaming habit took over his life. After several years and the help of counselors and family, he was able to quit. He’s now devoted his life to helping others quit and/or reduce their video gaming. Today he shares helpful insights for kids, teens, and parents.

tech talk tuesdays

The ways girls (and boys) are getting asked for sexually provocative photos and videos and how to help with a conversation — especially during Covid.

tech talk tuesdays

Are your kids experiencing a lack of motivation? Is it depression? Today I have strategies to help when you're challenged by your kids or teens’ lack of motivation — even if they are highly motivated, I have ways to help all young people.

tech talk tuesdays

Learn about findings on the effects on our youth of violence in video games and shows, what are the upsides and downsides of being desensitized to violence and aggression, and learn about hostile attribution bias.”

tech talk tuesdays

A new year is always a good time to look at our habits and consider goals. Some readers have asked me about my tech habits, and I realize that I have not shared them much. So today, I thought I would write some of my practices and goals for the new year.

tech talk tuesdays

Through research, we’ve also learned that hope can is a skill that can be acquired — hope is a combination of positive feelings and inspired action. Today I write about more how you (parents, caregivers, counselors, educators, etc.) can teach hope.

tech talk tuesdays

It is a REALLY hard time for our youth. This TTT is about ways to connect with our kids to give them pearls of insight to support their emotional wellbeing. A bonus is that such conversations help our kids be more equipped to help others, such as friends who are struggling, now or in the future.

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

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

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

I’ve been thrilled to hear that people are starting book clubs around my new book, Parenting in the Screen Age. To support these clubs, we are launching free “Chapter Clubs,” where each month I, and other experts, will guide a conversation around one of the ten chapters from my new book.

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

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."

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

Back to school during these COVID times. How to deal with cellphones at their side while kids are in class over Zoom? With school at home, staying off cellphones during classes will be a bigger struggle than ever before. Today, I give tips on how to set up for success.

tech talk tuesdays

I explore how social media messes with our kids' minds regarding attractiveness and how apps, such as TikTok, seem to be doing manipulations in ways that never occurred to me.

tech talk tuesdays

In today’s Tech Talk Tuesday, I want to share the more significant issue of trust in our internet age.

tech talk tuesdays

How the Nurtured Heart Approach 3-steps can make a big difference in the family dynamic. It helps by bringing attention to the positive and giving less energy to the negative. Today I explain how it works and break it down to make it easy to try.

tech talk tuesdays

Building a sense of "Can Do" and "Can Help" by helping out at home doing things otherwise known as chores — 20 ideas

tech talk tuesdays

Today I’m super jazzed to announce the official launch of the Screenagers Podcast! I have the first two episodes here for you, one about TikTok and one about video gaming.

tech talk tuesdays

In this week’s TTT I talk about a fascinating experiment and an interesting public health campaign that significantly changed youth behavior … and how that can be applied to reducing screen time.

tech talk tuesdays

Today I have 22 podcast recommendations for kids and teens (and adults will like many of these too). AND, I’m excited to announce that I will be launching my own podcast in the next few weeks!.

tech talk tuesdays

What are specific screen time behaviors that parents can do to demostrate the value of healthy screen time rules? And, how can they model the work that changing behavior entails?

tech talk tuesdays

Talking with our kids and teens about media, social media, and the immensely important issue of racial injustice is so critical right now. How do these platforms bring us together to find solutions? How do they fracture us and make finding solutions harder?

tech talk tuesdays

Here are some ideas of meaningful things to consider doing with your kids, or suggesting to them. From volunteering, to “Jewelry for Justice” to getting matched with a Sage, to learning about how local government works, and so much more.

tech talk tuesdays

We are experiencing an intensity that is hard to put into words, and we must help our kids emotionally and mentally navigate. Their social media feeds — which already were playing a major role in their lives during the pandemic — are roiling with taxing and painful posts of yelling, riots, death. It’s more important than ever to figure out effective ways to be engaged in our kids’ lives. Here are some ideas.

tech talk tuesdays

10 suggestions for improving study habits that when kids are doing their school at home, and homework. One is explaining the science of procrastination and the reasons for jumping into the hard stuff first can help. I cover this and much more today.

tech talk tuesdays

Today’s TTT is Inspired by a family who decided that because their school doesn't teach social-emotional learning they would integrate these concepts into their new normal of school at home. I give ideas on ways you can do this too.

tech talk tuesdays

Now with COVID-19, I thought it would be a great time to talk about what the heck mindfulness meditation is and why many people, including youth, find it useful for having more control of their focus, dealing with stress, helping with screen time issues and more.

tech talk tuesdays

One of my goals in writing weekly Tech Talk Tuesdays has been to help young people, through conversations, get more exposure to science in ways that are relatable and interesting to them — whether that’s about screen time, mental health, or other topics.

tech talk tuesdays

What are the potential costs of loads of certain screen time activities on our kids’ brain health and mood? Today we talk about ways to changes tech time that might help them feel better — even while keeping the same total amount of screen time?

tech talk tuesdays

Anxious feelings are understandably very high right now in youth given COVID-19. In today’s Tech Talk Tuesday I give you lots of ideas and resources to help your kids and teens with anxiety.

tech talk tuesdays

Today I am writing about ways that youth can safely help others via tech, and tech-free, during our world's intense COVID-19 crisis.

tech talk tuesdays

I believe that talking skillfully with the youth in our life about our emotions — past and present — and the ways we navigate such feelings, is one of the best resiliency teachings we can do as parents.

tech talk tuesdays

The intensity of all that is happening right now is so often overwhelming. Through all of this, I am continually moved by the kindness, love, and tenacity of young people. And it is about them that I write this right now.

tech talk tuesdays

I find myself at the frontlines of both the medical pandemic and the challenges of parenting. I will be working hard to connect with all of you and to help all of you connect as we move forward about COVID-19, loss of school and screen time issues.

tech talk tuesdays

When people get asked to rank their level of perceived stress, teens on average report higher levels than adults. Screen time and stress can be intertwined.

tech talk tuesdays

Four days from now, it is National Day of Unplugging. Now is a perfect opportunity to talk with youth about how they (and you) would feel about putting tech away for 24 hours for this National Day of Unplugging.

tech talk tuesdays

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?

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

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.

tech talk tuesdays

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.