Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast

In this episode of the Screenagers podcast, physician/filmmaker Dr. Delaney Ruston gives some parenting highlights from her movie Screenagers: Elementary School Edition. Key topics include handling meltdowns during screen time transitions, promoting open communication around social media, and mitigating the negative impacts of violent media. Practical parenting strategies and the importance of active mediation are emphasized, alongside insights from child psychologist Lizz Dexter-Mazza, PsyD, and media researcher and psychologist Doug Gentile, PhD.   Additional Resources: Screenagers Website Bring Screenagers to Your Community   Time Code 00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdote 00:49 Meet Delaney Rustin and Screenagers 00:57 Overview of Screenagers Elementary School Edition 01:49 Parenting Solutions for Screen Time Meltdowns 02:08 Understanding and Managing Meltdowns 03:37 The Importance of Consistency 04:33 Seeking Help for Persistent Issues 04:52 Safety First: Encouraging Open Communication 07:31 Active Mediation vs. Co-Viewing 10:48 Motivational Interviewing with Teens 11:43 Conclusion and Additional Resources

In this episode, host Dr. Delaney discusses problematic social media use with therapist and media addiction expert Tracy Markle. Tracy is the founder and co-director of the Digital Media Treatment and Education Center in Boulder, Colorado. Tracy explains the critical effects social media can have on teen mental health, particularly in girls and shares the therapeutic approaches she used in working with one teen girl in overcoming problematic social media. Markle employs a family system approach and shares insights on how she included the mom in the treatment approach.    Resources: Tracy Markle, MA, LPC founder of Digital Media   Additional Resources: How to bring the Screenagers movies to your community Screenagers Website   Time Code: 00:00 Introduction to Screenagers Podcast 01:41 The Impact of Social Media on Teens 02:38 Case Study: A High Schooler's Struggle 03:53 Therapeutic Approaches and Family Systems 05:56 Challenges and Consequences of Social Media Overuse 14:34 Motivational Interviewing and Setting Boundaries 29:25 Skill Building and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston explores social media addiction through the story of one young person, Lars, alongside insights from Anna Lembke, MD, chief of addiction medicine at Stanford, and longtime media researcher Douglas Gentile, PhD. Lars's story offers an intimate look at how social media can shape mental health and identity.  The episode examines the many ways compulsive social media use can take hold in a young person's life and digs into the science behind digital addiction. Dr. Ruston and her guests share practical guidance on how to tell when social media use has crossed into clinical addiction and, most importantly, how to help teens who are there, or teetering on the edge, break free.   Featured Experts Anna Lembke, MD Douglas Gentile, PhD   Other Resources Screenagers Website Bring Screenagers to Your Community  

In this episode, Dr Ruston is joined by journalist and author Catherine Price, author of How To Break Up With Your Phone. They discuss her 2026 book co-authored with Jonathan Haidt, 'The Amazing Generation,' aimed at empowering kids to be tech-savvy and foster real-world connections. The conversation includes practical tips for managing tech use in families and the concept of 'The Rebels Code' for kids to use technology wisely. In addition Price shares details about tech time limits with her 10 year old daughter.   Expert Catherine Price   Books The Amazing Generation by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price How To Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price   Other Resources Screenagers Website Bring Screenagers to Your Community   Time Code 00:00 Introduction to Parenting in the Screen Age 00:18 Meet Catherine Price: Breaking Up with Your Phone 01:11 The Genesis of The Amazing Generation 04:18 The Structure and Purpose of The Amazing Generation 06:21 Real-Life Applications and Parental Guidance 18:48 Practical Tips for Managing Screen Time 25:28 Conclusion and Resources

Struggling to get on the same page with your co-parent about screen time rules? Worried that enforcing boundaries might harm your relationship with your teen? In this episode, Delaney talks with renowned family psychologist and author Dr. Laura Kastner about the tricky, but crucial, process of setting and upholding screen time rules. Together, they explore a practical roadmap built around The Four Cs: Calm, Confidence, Co-Parent Unity, and Collaboration. Packed with relatable examples and expert-backed strategies, this conversation will help you navigate resistance and hold boundaries that support your child's emotional development and well-being.   Featured Expert Laura Kastner, PhD   Books Getting To Calm, by Laura Kastner, PhD Wise Minded Parenting, by Laura Kastner, PhD   Additional Resources: Screenagers Website Bring Screenagers to Your Community   Time Code 00:00 Understanding the Core Issue: Fear and Relationships 00:27 Introduction to Parenting in the Screen Age 00:45 Challenges of Setting Screen Time Boundaries 01:10 Real-Life Examples of Unpopular Rules 02:31 Interview with Dr. Laura Kasner: The Four Cs 02:58 Applying the Four Cs to Real Scenarios 04:45 Staying Calm and Confident 06:23 Co-Parenting and Collaboration 08:39 Handling Teen Reactions and Family Meetings 12:18 Polarization and Parental Unity 20:03 Concluding Thoughts and Resources