Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast

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 new 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

How can parents set limits that actually stick in a high-tech world? And what rules to set? In this episode, the prominent screen time researcher, Jean Twenge, PhD discusses her new book, 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World.
Twenge explains the science behind how screens disrupt sleep, and shares ways to use parental controls effectively.
The conversation also explores delaying smartphones and social media, enforcing meaningful consequences, and why changing community norms, not just household rules, can make all the difference. 
 
Expert
Jean Twenge, PhD
 
Book
10 Rules For Raising Kids In A High Tech World
 
Resources
www.screenfreesleep.org 
Screenagers Website
Bring Screenagers to Your Community
 
Time Code
00:00 Introduction to Parenting in the Screen Age
00:19 Meet Jean Twenge: Expert on Generational Differences
00:52 Discussing '10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High Tech World'
02:00 The Importance of No Devices in the Bedroom
04:02 Parental Controls and Device Management
05:26 The Role of Lockboxes and Parental Controls
07:50 Challenges with Parental Control Software
13:11 Promoting Screen-Free Sleep and Community Efforts
14:02 The Impact of Disturbing Content on Kids
15:53 Balancing Busy Schedules and Sleep
18:04 Setting Rules and Consequences for Device Use
19:15 Delaying Smartphones and Social Media
21:35 Final Thoughts and Community Pledges
24:08 Conclusion and Resources

Frustrated with his obsession with video gaming, Cam Adair wrote a post about his struggles that went viral. This led to his starting a movement that has brought together thousands to work to create a balanced life at Gamequitters.com. Cam is an international speaker who shares his story about gaming addiction and offers well tested advice to youth and their parents.
 
Expert:
Cam Adair
 
Episode Resources:
Game Quitters
Game Quitters Parent Support Group
Afterschool Alliance 
 
Additional Resources:
How to bring the Screenagers movies to your community
Screenagers Website
 
Time Code:
00:00 Introduction
00:38 Meet Cam Adair: From Gamer to Advocate
01:57 Cam's Personal Struggles with Gaming
06:42 Turning Point: Seeking Help and Recovery
09:48 Founding Game Quitters
11:11 Impact of COVID on Gaming Habits
13:37 Advice for Parents and Kids
22:15 Final Thoughts and Resources

Dr Ruston speaks with Amy Neville, mother of Alexander Neville who tragically died at age 14 after taking a fentanyl-laced pill he obtained through Snapchat. He thought he was buying an oxycontin but instead the pill was a pill laced with fentanyl. 
Amy shares her journey from grief to activism, discussing her efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of social media-facilitated drug deals and her advocacy for stronger accountability from tech companies. 
This episode offers insights into the vulnerabilities of teens in the digital world, the current drug crisis, and practical advice for parents on navigating these challenges with their children.
 
Episode Resources:
Alexander Neville Foundation
 
Additional Resources:
How to bring the Screenagers movies to your community
Screenagers Website
 
Time Code:
00:00 Introduction
00:23 The Tragic Story of Alexander Neville
01:30 Alex's Final Days
05:00 Turning Grief into Activism
06:46 Conversations with Teens
10:05 The Role of Snapchat
18:34 Advice for Parents
21:55 Resources and Conclusion

Many parents feel hypocritical or guilty about their own phone or tech use when their kids or teens are around. 
In this episode, Dr. Ruston checks in with three parents who shared those feelings and took on the One Small Change Challenge to make a change in their own tech use. Hear from them about their successes and challenges during their two-week experiment. 
Even for listeners who missed the previous two episodes, this installment stands alone and offers insights on how adults can model for their children the reasons and approaches behind making positive changes to their tech time.
 
Additional Resources
Boosting Bravery: Free Screenagers program for teens that includes DARTS. 
How to bring the Screenagers movies to your community
Screenagers Website
 
Time Code:
00:00 Introduction
00:19 Recap of Previous Episodes and DARTS Framework
01:59 Hillary's Journey: Breaking the Social Media Habit
10:41 Lisa's Challenge: Keeping the Phone Out of the Bedroom
15:35 Tori's Attempt: Creating Phone-Free Time with Her Daughter
25:00 Conclusion and Resources for Screen Time Management