29 episodes

Join Delaney Ruston, MD, a leading authority on parenting in the digital age and the filmmaker of the award-winning Screenagers movies, as she explores strategies for raising screen-wise and tech-balanced youth. Through interviews with researchers, thought leaders, and young people themselves, The Screenagers Podcast delivers the latest in science along with practical tips and important insights that parents will want to share with their kids and teens.

The Screenagers Podcast Delaney Ruston, MD

    • Kids & Family

Join Delaney Ruston, MD, a leading authority on parenting in the digital age and the filmmaker of the award-winning Screenagers movies, as she explores strategies for raising screen-wise and tech-balanced youth. Through interviews with researchers, thought leaders, and young people themselves, The Screenagers Podcast delivers the latest in science along with practical tips and important insights that parents will want to share with their kids and teens.

    Snapchat Uncovered - Teens Discuss Pitfalls of this Popular App

    Snapchat Uncovered - Teens Discuss Pitfalls of this Popular App

    This episode of The Screenagers Podcast takes us inside Snapchat from the perspective of two young adults. They share with me pitfalls to look out for, and I offer advice to parents and teens on how to best navigate the dangers of illicit content and scores that can leave users feeling less popular.
    Additional Links The birth of Snapchat
    How Snapchat defines Snapscore
    Snapchat’s Discover page and connection to Cosmo
    About OnlyFans
     

    • 19 min
    Is Social Media Addiction A Real Thing?

    Is Social Media Addiction A Real Thing?

    In this episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston dives into the pressing issue of social media addiction through the story of one young person, Lars, and insights from the chief of addiction medicine at Stanford, Ana Lembke, MD, and longtime media researcher Douglas Gentile, PhD. Through Lar’s struggle with social media addiction, listeners gain an intimate look at the impact of social media on mental health and identity. The episode sheds light on the various ways compulsive social media use can impact a young person and delves into the science behind digital addiction. Ultimately, Dr. Ruston and her guests offer valuable tips on how to know when social media use is in the zone of a clinical addiction and, most importantly, how to help teens who are in that zone, or wobbling there, to break free. 
    Featured Experts Anna Lembke, MD
    Douglas Gentile, Ph.D.
    Additional Links Anna Lembke’s book, Dopamine Nation
    Lars May and Half The Story
    Time code of the episode 00:00 Introduction to Social Media Addiction
    00:37 The Lawsuits Against Social Media Giants
    01:47 Interview with Experts on Social Media Addiction
    02:15 The Power of Social Media and Its Impact
    04:19 The Journey of a Social Media Influencer
    09:43 The Struggle with Mental Illness and Technology
    11:11 The Science Behind Social Media Addiction
    13:40 Understanding Addiction on a Spectrum
    19:27 The Impact of Overabundance on Mental Health
    20:19 Recovering from Social Media Addiction
    24:54 Helping Others Overcome Social Media Addiction
    25:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
     

     

    • 27 min
    How Self-Compassion Can Make Parenting Easier

    How Self-Compassion Can Make Parenting Easier

    In this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks to author and psychologist Dr. Kristin Neff, Ph.D.,  about the power of self-compassion. They discuss the prevalent issue of self-criticism among parents, particularly regarding screen time, and how adopting self-compassion can help navigate such challenges. Dr. Neff and Dr. Ruston share personal parenting experiences along the way.  The episode provides practical advice to help listeners, parents, and teens initiate their own self-compassion practice.
     
    Featured Expert Kristin Neff, PhD
     
    Research References Meeting Suffering With Kindness: Effects of a Brief Self-Compassion Intervention for Female College Students (Journal of Clinical Psychology) 
    Self-compassion and Psychological Resilience Among Adolescents and Young Adults (Self and Identity) 
    Development and Validation of the Self-Compassion Scale for Youth (Journal of Personality Assessment) 
    The Development and Assessment of a Scale to Measure Self Assessment  (Self and Identity)
    Time code of the episode 00:04 Introduction and Personal Reflections
    00:26 Understanding Self Compassion
    00:48 Interview with Kristin Neff
    02:29 Exploring the Concept of Self Compassion
    04:59 Applying Self Compassion in Personal Life
    05:45 Challenges and Misconceptions about Self Compassion
    07:08 Understanding Self Criticism
    11:44 Applying Self Compassion in Parenting
    12:45 Balancing Fierce and Tender Self Compassion
    15:59 Growing Compassion through Personal Struggles
    18:08 A Day at the Park: A Parent's Perspective on Autism
    19:04 The Struggles of Parenting and the Power of Self-Compassion
    20:26 Research Insights: Self-Compassion in Parenting Autistic Children
    22:05 The Impact of Self-Compassion on Teens and Motivation
    23:10 Practical Steps to Cultivate Self-Compassion
    29:32 The Role of Self-Compassion in Authenticity and Relationships
    31:58 Resources and Tools for Developing Self-Compassion
    32:42 Conclusion: The Power of Self-Compassion in the Screen Age
     
    Additional Links Dr. Kristin Neff’s Website 
     
    Two Books by Dr Neff:
    Self Compassion: The Proven Power Of Being Kind To Yourself
    Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive
     

     

    • 33 min
    How to Address the Hardest Screen Time Parenting Dilemmas

    How to Address the Hardest Screen Time Parenting Dilemmas

    In this episode, Dr. Ruston tackles some of the thorniest screen time parenting issues with social worker Charlie Appelstein. Appelstein is the author of the popular book No Such Thing As A Bad Child. Using the framework of strength-based parenting, they explore strategies to help when youth break screen time rules and lie. They talk about creating fair consequences and what to do when teens are overly dismissive and mean to their parents.  With over 40 years of working with youth and parents, Appelstein has a wealth of effective interventions at his fingertips.
     
    Featured Expert Charlie Appelstein, MSW
     
    Time code of the episode 00:04 Introduction 
    01:15 Understanding Strength-Based Parenting
    02:14 Applying Strength-Based Parenting in Real-Life Scenarios
    02:38 Addressing the Issue of Chores and Screen Time
    05:10 The Power of Positive Reinforcement
    06:12 Dealing with Adolescent Anger and Separation
    09:03 Setting Boundaries and Consequences
    21:21 Understanding and Addressing Lying
    25:57 Conclusion: The Power of Reframing and Strength-Based Parenting
     

    • 26 min
    Decoding Adolescent Decision Making on Screens and Off

    Decoding Adolescent Decision Making on Screens and Off

    In this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Ruston focuses on the science behind teen risky decision-making, both online and offline. Dr. Ruston speaks with researchers who shed light on the latest brain science, helping us better understand the biology behind adolescents' decision-making processes. With insights from experts such as psychiatrist Dr. Anna Lembke and psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour, parents will glean practical advice on guiding their children toward wiser decisions and setting fair consequences for rule-breaking.
    EPISODE NOTES

    ‍Research References
    Adolescents’ Cognitive Capacity Reaches Adult Levels Prior to Their Psychosocial Maturity: Evidence for a “Maturity Gap” in a Multinational, Cross-Sectional Sample (Law and Human Behavior)
    Biological substrates of emotional reactivity and regulation in adolescence during an emotional go-nogo task (Biological Psychiatry)
     
    Featured Experts Adriana Galvan, PhD
    Laurence Steinberg, PhD
    Lisa Damour, PhD
    Anna Lambke, MD
    Time code of the episode
    00:04 Introduction and the Complexity of Decision Making
    01:23 Understanding the Science Behind Teen Decision Making
    02:55 The Role of Emotions in Decision Making
    05:05 Real-life Consequences of Rash Decisions
    06:17 The Neuroscience of Adolescence
    07:38 The Impact of Emotions on Teenagers' Decision Making
    10:30 Strategies for Parents to Help Teens Make Wiser Decisions
    13:19 The Importance of Setting Limits and Fair Consequences
    16:50 Understanding and Empathizing with the Challenges Teens Face
    17:50 Conclusion: Encouraging Wise Decision Making

    • 18 min
    How Does Our Digital Age Impact Teen Weed Use?

    How Does Our Digital Age Impact Teen Weed Use?

    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
     
    Time code of the episode
    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

    • 23 min

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