Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast

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

What happens when a high school struggling with smartphone distractions takes a bold step and starts locking away all devices, midway through the school year?

Even more unusual: the phones aren't just put away; they're locked up in classrooms for the entire day, except during lunch.

Dr. Delaney interviews Principal Deanna Albert to explore how implementing 'Away for the Day' policies transformed both learning and social interactions at Hardin High School.

Deanna shares the challenges and successes of making this shift, including how it improved student engagement, reduced distractions, and curbed social media-related issues.

Featured Expert

Principal Deanna Albert

Additional Resources:

Screenagers Website

Bring Screenagers to Your Community

Additional Links

Awayfortheday.org

Time Code

00:00 Introduction

00:15 About Screenagers & Away For The Day

01:04 Campaign Success and Challenges

01:38 Issues with Phone Policies in Schools

02:29 Interview with Principal Deanna Albert

04:42 Implementing the New Phone Policy

08:43 Positive Outcomes and Challenges

11:23 Community and Legal Implications

15:14 Final Thoughts and Resources

This week we return to a popular episode, originally published in Jan 2025, where Dr. Delaney dives into the world of Roblox and examines how in-game purchases impact young people, featuring insights from two young Roblox players and Mark Edwards, a therapist specializing in excessive video game use among teens.

The episode explores the challenges of spending real money on virtual items in games like Roblox and Fortnite — think Robux or V-Bucks — and delves into key issues such as personal values, impulse control, financial literacy, and addiction.

Suitable for both adults and teens, this episode also provides practical advice for parents on fostering conversations about digital spending and guiding their kids toward making more thoughtful financial decisions in the gaming world

Guest:

Mark Edwards, MS, MFT

Additional Resources:

Screenagers Website

Bring Screenagers to Your Community

Time Codes:

00:00 Introduction

01:04 Interview with Teen Roblox Players

04:35 Therapist's Perspective on Virtual Spending

06:35 Understanding Loot Boxes

10:19 Parental Guidance and Financial Literacy

15:55 Practical Tips for Parents

25:11 Conclusion and Resources

How are students really using ChatGPT and other AI tools for school work? What do they see as acceptable? And where do they draw the line? What happens when AI is used for creative projects, and at what cost?

In this episode of Parenting in the Screen Age, Delaney Ruston, MD, explores the impact of AI tools like ChatGPT on student learning and academic integrity. She shares interviews with college students who talk candidly about using AI for academic purposes, what they will and won't do, and how they navigate ethical gray areas. One student recounts being accused of cheating with AI, and we learn how she got through the experience.

The episode encourages parents, educators, and students to have ongoing conversations about the responsible use of AI technologies in and beyond the classroom.

Additional Resources

Screenagers Website

Bring Screenagers to Your Community‍

‍‍‍Time Code

00:00 Introduction

00:47 The Rise of AI in Education

01:46 Student Interviews: Creative Uses of AI

06:47 Student Interviews: Academic Uses of AI

14:53 Student Interviews: Ethical Concerns and Personal Choices

17:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In many schools today, students hesitate to give class presentations. Not because of stage fright, but because they're afraid of being secretly recorded and mocked on social media.

Principals across the country are spending their time managing the aftermath of incidents sparked by viral trends like "Ship or Dip" posts. Physical altercations between students are often filmed by bystanders and shared online, amplifying the harm.

In this episode, Dr. Ruston visits a middle school in Washington State and sits down with Principal Zach to explore what happened when phones were allowed on campus and how things changed dramatically once new policies were put in place.

Zach shares the powerful transformation his school has experienced, and how restorative practices are helping students learn healthier ways to resolve conflict.

This episode is intended for both adult and teen audiences.

Featured Expert

Zach - Middle School Principal

Additional Links

Awayfortheday.org

Anti-Bullying Campaigns

Cyberbullying: How does your child define it?

Truths And Myths About Cyberbullying

Time Code

00:00 Introduction and Personal Story

00:27 The Impact of Smartphones in Schools

01:11 Real-Life Examples of Digital Cruelty

03:44 School Policies to Combat Phone-Related Issues

04:02 Principal Zach's Experience and Insights

07:10 The Culture Shift and Restorative Practices

13:02 Student Rights and Reporting System

16:07 Understanding Multiple Perspectives

16:52 Building Empathy and Conflict Resolution

19:15 Restorative Circles and Safe Spaces

21:10 The Role of Social Media in Conflict

23:26 Addressing Inappropriate Behavior

24:02 Conclusion and Resources

Originally published Jan 2024

In this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston explores the complex issue of weed use among teenagers in today's digital world. The discussion delves into how cannabis is portrayed and often glamorized on social media and the potential risks this poses to young people, including addiction and mental health concerns.

The episode also sheds light on the cannabis industry's lack of stringent regulation and the dangers of high THC products. Importantly, Dr. Ruston offers practical strategies for parents to engage in effective and meaningful conversations with their teens about cannabis use.

Research References:

Potency levels of regulated cannabis products in Michigan 2021–2022 (Journal of Forensic Sciences)

Recent rapid decrease in adolescents' perception that marijuana is harmful, but no concurrent increase in use (Drug and Alcohol Dependence)

Acute Mental Health Symptoms in Adolescent Marijuana Users (JAMA Pediatrics)

Featured Experts:

Sharon Levy, MD

Pam Ling, MD

Additional Links:

Recovery support in general

Marajuana anonymous

Timecode:

00:04 Introduction to the Podcast

00:38 Teenagers' Perspective on Cannabis and Social Media

01:53 The Intersection of Cannabis Use and Screen Time

02:28 Medical Misconceptions about Cannabis

03:59 Personal Stories of Cannabis Use and Mental Health

04:19 The Risks of Cannabis Use for Mental Health

05:47 The Reality of Cannabis Addiction

09:26 The Impact of High THC Concentration in Cannabis

11:28 The Role of Vaping in Cannabis Use

12:33 The Need for Regulation in the Cannabis Industry

16:11 Strategies for Talking to Teens about Cannabis

18:52 Seeking Help for Cannabis Addiction

21:19 Personal Strategies for Decreasing Cannabis Use

22:27 Conclusion and Acknowledgements

Why do some kids and teens get overly frustrated and bored when it's time to turn off their video games? How to know when game playing has become excessive? What are tips that all families should know for ensuring healthy video game play?

In today's episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston explores these issues along with a new model of brain biology to help explain irritability and boredom associated with video gaming. We hear from teens along with psychiatrist Dr. Clifford Sussman who specializes in helping young people regain tech balance.

We also hear from Andrew Fulton who was in the film, Screenagers, when he was getting treatment at an internet rehab center, and is now working at the same center helping others recover from video game overuse.

Additional Links

Andrew in this episode works at the internet recovery center called reStart

To learn more about Dr. Clifford Sussman, go to his website.

Dr. Sussman et al., Internet and Video Game Addictions: Diagnosis, Epidemiology and Neurobiology.

Here are links to some Tech Talk Tuesday articles about video games:

• Digital Binging, Is it a Problem?
• Why 3 Hours is Too Much
• Fake Identities and Real Concerns
• Watch What Happens When Kids Have No Screen Time Rules

‍

Additional Resources

Screenagers Website

Bring Screenagers to Your Community

In today's episode, Dr. Ruston interviews tech journalist Manoush Zomorodi about her book Body Electric and a movement to normalize periodic movement breaks from screens.

Zomorodi talks about research that shows five minutes of gentle movement every 30 minutes can significantly improve glucose, blood pressure, focus, mood, and energy, and explains a large self-reported project with 20,000 participants testing breaks every 30 minutes, hour, or two hours.

They discuss why standing desks aren't enough, how movement supports circulation and cognition, practical habit strategies, and parenting approaches to help motivate kids to move, such as framing movement as something kids "get to" do.

Expert:

Manoush Zomorodi

Book:

Body Electric: The Hidden Health Costs of the Digital Age and New Science to Reclaim Your Well-Being, by Manoush Zomorodi

Research References:

Breaking Up Prolonged Sitting to Improve Cardiometabolic Risk: Dose-Response Analysis of a Randomized Crossover Trial, Keith Diaz, PhD et al.

Resources:

Screenagers Website

Bring Screenagers to Your Community

Time Code:

00:00 Show Updates

00:28 Meet Manoush

02:40 Why Screens Exhaust Us

04:13 Five Minute Fix

06:49 Testing Movement Breaks

08:24 Citizen Science Approach

11:56 Lab Results Surprise

15:28 Standing Desk Myth

18:04 Making Breaks Stick

20:46 Listening to Your Body

21:30 Movement Mindset Shift

22:22 Screenagers Films Break

23:13 Parenting Without Shame

24:42 The Pandemic Questionnaire

26:35 Did You Get to Move

27:24 Airport Workouts Legacy

28:08 Tracking Steps Without Pressure

30:21 Be the Weirdo at Work

32:17 Movement Experiments With Kids

33:04 Part Two Tease and Resources

33:50 Where to Find Manoush

34:44 Podcast Wrap and Credits