Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast

How are today’s boys absorbing messages about masculinity from violent media and games? How early does this begin, and what happens when gaming chats turn cruel or hostile?

Dr. Ruston talks with author-educator Christopher Pepper and journalist Joanna Schroeder, co-authors of the recently released book, Talk To Your Boys. 

They share practical “interrupter” tools and relatable stories that hel...

Host Dr. Ruston introduces Screenagers’ recently launched Screen-Free Sleep campaign, focused on helping parents keep devices out of kids’ bedrooms for sleep time. 

Ruston explains the campaign’s goals, the science behind it, and how you can participate in making screen-free sleep the norm in your child’s school and community. This includes resources like iSleep Pro kits and a fun flash mob dance. 

Parenting kids has always had challenges, but now, in the tech revolution, conflicts are at a new level. The good news is that research shows that conflicts done well have all sorts of benefits for youth. But how do we ensure healthier conflicts?

Dr. Ruston talks with Lisa Damour, Ph.D., psychologist and author of three New York Times best-selling books about adolescents, including “The Emotional Lives of ...

As back-to-school season begins, and kids face mounting stress both online and offline, this episode explores how healthy sleep can support their well-being.

Hear from Dr. Judy Owens, Director of Sleep Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital and professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School.

Discover key brain research with Adriana Galván, a UCLA neuroscientist, an...

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...

What role does social media play in disordered eating and eating disorders? And how can parents spot early warning signs and have meaningful conversations about these tough topics? In this episode, host Dr. Ruston talks with Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani, a physician specializing in eating disorders for nearly two decades. 

Dr. Gaudiani explains the difference between disordered eating and clinical eating disorder...

We often hear about social media’s impact on body image, but what can we learn from someone who’s lived it firsthand, developing a serious exercise and eating disorder?

Dr. Delaney Ruston sits down with Isabelle, a teen who bravely shares her journey from body dysmorphia to a severe eating disorder, struggles made worse by the constant stream of triggering content on platforms like TikTok. 

Is...

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: Ca...

How risky are the high volumes blasting through the earpods that poke into our kids’ ears? What about our adult ears? 

In this episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston explores the fascinating world of hearing health and the risks associated with exposure to loud noises, especially through headphones and earphones. 

Delaney is joined by Dr. Robert Jackler, MD, a researcher and neurotologist from Stanford, ...

Why is it so hard for teens and young adults to cut back on social media — even when they truly want to? What emotional triggers keep pulling them back onto apps, and what actually happens once they're there?

In this episode of Parenting in the Screen Age, host Dr. Delaney Ruston explores these questions with Dr. Katie Davis, a leading expert on youth and technology. Dr. Davis is a professor at the Univers...

In this episode of 'Parenting in the Screen Age,' host Delaney Ruston discusses the critical role of counseling and therapy for teen mental health. 

Joined by Laura Kastner, PhD, author of acclaimed parenting books and a teen and family therapist for over 30 years, they debunk common myths about therapy and explore effective ways parents can support their teens struggling with depression, anxiety, and tech...

Are screens just a habit for young people, or something far more harmful? In this episode, psychologist and researcher Dr. Jean Twenge, author of iGen and Generations, breaks down how screen time — especially social media and gaming — is hijacking teen mental health.

From rising rates of depression and anxiety to her powerful “A-N-D” framework (Attachment, Negative experiences, Displacement), Jean explains why so many teens are str...

How can we help girls develop a sharp, critical perspective on gender inequality without dampening their ambitions? How do we guide boys to recognize how rigid gender roles harm them too?

With the popular Netflix series Adolescence sparking intense discussions about gender attitudes and aggression, these questions are more pressing than ever. And how can we educate kids about the harmful effects of the "tr...

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...

Kids and teens are experiencing less independence than in the past — whether due to screen time, parents' fears of letting them roam freely, or other factors. It’s a problem. But why? And what can be done?

In this episode, host Dr. Delaney Ruston discusses this important topic with journalist Lenore Skenazy, who was labeled “A...

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 transfor...

Host Delaney Ruston, MD, delves into this complex topic with Lisa Wade, PhD, researcher and author of American Hookup. Lisa shares insights from her 15 years of research, offering a deep understanding of sexual dynamics on college campuses, as explored in her book.

We examine the nuances of the term "hookup," the implications of hookup culture, the role of alcohol, and the varied experiences of students. This episode is essential f...

Parents know it can be tough when their kids and teens get mad at them for establishing a boundary. It can make parents feel uncomfortable, question their boundaries, or shy away from setting them altogether.

Dr. Delaney speaks with psychologist Karen Pavlidis, Ph.D., about how to think about—and what to do about—our struggles when facing our kids’ and teens’ anger.

How can parents know which ...

It’s no surprise that smartphones in the classroom can cause serious disruptions to learning. But what about smartwatches? Dr. Delaney explores the rising issue of wrist-based computers in schools and how one school has decided to tackle the problem. 

She speaks with K-8 school counselor and Nurtured Heart practitioner Dr. Tammy Fisher to learn how implementing Away for The Day guidelines, and using clear,...