Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast

Join Delaney Ruston, MD — a leading authority on parenting in the screen age and the filmmaker behind the award-winning Screenagers movies — as she explores the challenges parents face raising kids in today's digital world: think smartphones, social media, video games, and more. Through interviews with experts, thought leaders, and young people themselves, Parenting in the Screen Age delivers the latest science, practical tips, and key insights that parents will want to implement — and share — with their kids and teens.

Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast is a kids podcast hosted by Delaney Ruston, MD, with 95 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Delaney Ruston, MD hosts Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast, a kids show with 95 episodes published.

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  Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast

  Teens, Roblox, and Real Money: A Parents Guide to In-Game Purchases (encore)

  Aug 10, 202626 minS1

  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

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  Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast

  How Students Are Really Using AI & ChatGPT (encore)

  Jul 27, 202617 minS1

  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

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  Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast

  Inside a Middle School's Fight Against Smartphone-Fueled Cruelty and Bullying (encore)

  Jul 13, 202626 minS1

  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

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  Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast

  How Does Our Digital Age Impact Teen Weed Use? (encore)

  Jun 29, 202624 minS1

  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

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  Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast

  Brain Biology and Preventing Excessive Video Gaming (encore)

  Jun 15, 202618 minS1

  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

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