Guest: Amanda Levelle, NCH Behavioral Health

Pressure to Be Perfect
Filtered photos. Curated lives. Constant comparisons. Amanda Levelle breaks down how social media shapes self-esteem—especially in teens—and why the pursuit of perfection online can lead to real-world anxiety, loneliness, and self-doubt.

Topics covered:

• How social media fuels comparison and distorts reality
• Connections between screen time, self-worth, and mental health
• What parents can do to help kids develop healthier online habits

This conversation is just one of many. Visit www.dublinschools.net/press-pause to explore tools, resources, and actions you can take today to help your family Press Pause. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a conversation.

Guest: Dr. Dawn Anderson-Butcher, The Ohio State University College of Social Work

Always On, Always Anxious
What’s the cost of constant connection? Dr. Dawn Anderson-Butcher explores the growing body of research linking excessive screen time to rising levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness in kids and teens. Drawing on national data and real-world experience, she unpacks what this means for brain development and what parents can do to help.

Topics covered:

• The connection between screen time and internalizing problems
• How digital habits impact anxiety, depression, and social isolation
• Practical steps families can take to create healthier tech boundaries

This conversation is just one of many. Visit www.dublinschools.net/press-pause to explore tools, resources, and actions you can take today to help your family Press Pause. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a conversation.

Guest: Kevin Patton, DCS Pathways Counselor

Too much phone use at night doesn’t just delay bedtime — it disrupts sleep quality and can lead to tired, unfocused, and emotionally drained students. Kevin shares what he’s seeing among teens today and why good sleep hygiene starts with putting the phone down.

Topics covered:

• How screen time affects sleep
• The science behind blue light and sleep latency
• Practical ways to improve nighttime habits

This conversation is just one of many. Visit www.dublinschools.net/press-pause to explore tools, resources, and actions you can take today to help your family Press Pause. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a conversation.

In the premiere episode of Finding Balance in the Digital World, host Cassie Dietrich, Public Information Officer for Dublin City Schools, sits down with Superintendent Dr. John Marschhausen to explore why the district is launching the Press Pause campaign.

They discuss growing concerns around student screen time, the impact of tech habits on learning and well-being, and the shared responsibility schools and families have in creating healthier digital boundaries. You’ll hear real-life examples, practical tips for parents, and ideas for starting meaningful conversations at home.

Up next: Kevin Patton joins us to talk about how screens affect sleep — and what families can do about it.

This conversation is just one of many. Visit www.dublinschools.net/press-pause to explore tools, resources, and actions you can take today to help your family Press Pause. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a conversation.