In Screenagers, there's a scene that shows my family talking around the dinner table about Tech Talk Tuesday. My son Chase asks "when is a good time to text versus calling someone?" So, for this week talk to your family about that issue.
My co-producer's 12-year old daughter just today was talking to her about how some people misuse texting. She was upset that a friend was saying mean things via text, things that he would never say to her on the phone. She adamantly said that it was not bullying, it just was a mean-spirited conversation. She saw a distinction.
Also, my co-producer talked today with a friend who runs a small firm and mentioned a client of hers who was fired via email with no notice and no apparent cause. The client was hurt and felt this was an inappropriate way to communicate that message.
As I am writing this post, my son Chase is literally standing next to me texting and he just looked up and started talking about a girl he's interested in. I asked if he was going to ask her out via texting or in person and he said: "Of course I will do it in person because you can read their reactions more" and then he added jokingly "and then you can spend the next 3 nights trying to make sense of their response, like their tone of voice, facial expressions, body language and stuff."
Then I asked, "why not text?" And he said with a straight face "it shows confidence when you ask in person."
So here are some questions to ask your family around the dinner table:
When do you text versus call someone?
Do you make a distinction between texting and emailing? If so, when do you do which?
Do you text someone when you are angry or do you call them?
Do you text when you are tired rather than calling?
Do you text when you have something emotionally uncomfortable to say, whether it's negative or positive?
Do you have just "text-relationships" with people?
Share with us via FB or here. We really want to hear from you!
All my best,
Delaney
April 5, 2016
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
In Screenagers, there's a scene that shows my family talking around the dinner table about Tech Talk Tuesday. My son Chase asks "when is a good time to text versus calling someone?" So, for this week talk to your family about that issue.
My co-producer's 12-year old daughter just today was talking to her about how some people misuse texting. She was upset that a friend was saying mean things via text, things that he would never say to her on the phone. She adamantly said that it was not bullying, it just was a mean-spirited conversation. She saw a distinction.
Also, my co-producer talked today with a friend who runs a small firm and mentioned a client of hers who was fired via email with no notice and no apparent cause. The client was hurt and felt this was an inappropriate way to communicate that message.
As I am writing this post, my son Chase is literally standing next to me texting and he just looked up and started talking about a girl he's interested in. I asked if he was going to ask her out via texting or in person and he said: "Of course I will do it in person because you can read their reactions more" and then he added jokingly "and then you can spend the next 3 nights trying to make sense of their response, like their tone of voice, facial expressions, body language and stuff."
Then I asked, "why not text?" And he said with a straight face "it shows confidence when you ask in person."
So here are some questions to ask your family around the dinner table:
When do you text versus call someone?
Do you make a distinction between texting and emailing? If so, when do you do which?
Do you text someone when you are angry or do you call them?
Do you text when you are tired rather than calling?
Do you text when you have something emotionally uncomfortable to say, whether it's negative or positive?
Do you have just "text-relationships" with people?
Share with us via FB or here. We really want to hear from you!
All my best,
Delaney
April 5, 2016
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
I decided to re-visit this blog from the archives because our last podcast on how to have healthier parent-child conflicts was so popular, that I wanted to provide more help on this same topic. Here, I focus on the powerful parenting approach called the nurtured heart approach. Complimenting this blog, we posted a wonderful podcast episode from our archive that also examines this approach and provides many concrete action steps.
READ MORE >
The current surge in conversation and scrutiny concerning the impact of screen time on youth mental wellbeing, catalyzed by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt's media tour for his new book, "Anxious Generation," is truly fantastic. This increased dialogue is crucial for understanding screen time risks and determining the best ways to support our children's mental health. Let’s not let this attention for the need for solutions die down! In today’s blog, I weigh in on four key points Haidt makes to keep the momentum in full swing.
READ MORE >
Snapchat has some pitfalls. I talked to two young adults about things to be aware of when using the app, including exposure to illicit content, the pressure of Snap Scores, and ads for platforms like OnlyFans. I also offer advice on how to help your teen manage their Snapchat usage.
READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.
