The home of "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"
Have you talked out loud to ChatGPT and heard it talk back? Many people still haven’t. But that’s going to change very soon and the implications are, to put it mildly, concerning. ChatGPT with voice uses text-to-speech, but it’s more than just TTS — it includes conversational AI, voice recognition, and dynamic interaction. This means it doesn’t just speak — it listens, responds, and carries on fluid conversations in real time.
READ MORE >
We often hear about social media’s impact on body image, but what can we learn from someone who’s experienced it firsthand, developing a serious exercise and eating disorder? In today's blog I introduce Isabelle who i'm grateful to for sharing her story with me in our recent conversation.
READ MORE >
Research shows that adolescent substance initiation — teens trying smoking or drinking for the first time — spikes during the summer. More downtime often means more screen time, which brings increased exposure to what’s trending. One trend that’s hard to ignore? A surge in cigarette imagery across films, music videos, and pop culture moments. Even Beyoncé lit up onstage recently. So why is smoking getting a media makeover — and how can we talk to teens meaningfully about it?
READ MORE >
Are you co-parenting kids? Do you find that one of you focuses more on establishing rules about screen time while the other is less concerned? You don’t need me to tell you that answering yes to that question is incredibly common, and it can be a major stressor in homes. I look at the challenge and seek solutions in today's blog.
READ MORE >
A growing concern I have is how young girls, some as young as 7 or 8, are becoming fixated on beauty products. In Screenagers Elementary School Age Edition, we show clips of elementary-aged girls talking excitedly about their favorite skin and makeup items. In today's blog I look at how this beauty obsession is reaching younger ages, fueled by pervasive beauty ideals on social media.
READ MORE >
Last week in clinic, I met with a teen and her mom. The mom voiced concern about her daughter using over-the-ear headphones for hours on end, worried it could be harming her hearing. Headphones and earbuds have become the norm, and for many of us, volume tends to creep up. I’ve caught myself lately at the gym, blasting music louder than I probably should. Today I talk more about this and highlight one thing you can do right now for yourself and with your family to check in on your hearing.
READ MORE >
One phrase I’ve often used over the years is “fighting fire with fire,” and when it comes to managing screen time, this idea can really come in handy. Incorporating parental controls into your family’s screen time routine can make things run more smoothly at home. And summer is an ideal time to consider this approach.
READ MORE >
Ever hop on social media to escape boredom, only to feel even more drained afterward? Teens know this feeling all too well. A college student recently told me how frustrated she is by the habit: “I turn to Instagram out of boredom, and it ends up just making the day feel emptier.” This week’s blog dives into a powerful insight from Dr. Katie Davis, a leading researcher on teens and tech, who calls this pattern “boredom in, boredom out.”
READ MORE >
We have now entered an entirely new digital paradigm where artificial intelligence is capable of engaging in human-like conversations. This can range from simple interactions with ChatGPT offering writing tips, to full-fledged companion AI bots designed to mimic real conversations, and simulate deep personal relationships — even romantic partners. Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to talk about AI and mental health with a young person in your life.
READ MORE >
Mental Health Awareness Month is a perfect time to spotlight an often-overlooked topic: the role of families in teen therapy. Today I recall my recent conversation with Dr. Laura Kastner, acclaimed author and experienced family therapist, who shares why therapists should push for family participation, even when a teen resists. I also share a personal moment from Screenagers Next Chapter, when my daughter and I did family therapy together—a powerful reminder of what’s possible.
READ MORE >
A topic I hear from parents regularly is regret—regret about saying yes to a tech device too soon. Maybe it was a smartphone, a smartwatch, a gaming console in the bedroom, or allowing social media. Today’s post is about how to reverse course on a tech decision for your child thoughtfully — and possibly prevent even deeper regret down the road.
READ MORE >
In my latest Podcast, How Screens Trap Teens in Depression, I speak with Jean Twenge, PhD, a highly regarded psychologist and researcher known for her critical work on the impact of screen time on today’s youth. Our conversation explored the relationship between digital technology use, specifically social media and gaming, and teen mental health trends. Today I'm sharing a snippet of my conversation with Twenge related to boys, depression, and video gaming.
READ MORE >
