• Raising The Amazing Generation: Helping Kids Become Wiser Tech Users
    Jan 12 2026

    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

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    27 mins
  • Setting Screen Time Rules That Actually Work, with Jean Twenge
    Dec 29 2025

    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

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    26 mins
  • Recovered Gaming Addict Shares His Story And Advice (Encore)
    Dec 15 2025

    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
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    26 mins
  • From Grief to Advocacy: A Mother's Fight Against Snapchat
    Dec 1 2025

    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

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    25 mins
  • What 3 Adults Learned Trying to Change Their Own Phone Habits
    Nov 17 2025

    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

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    26 mins
  • No More Phones in the Bedroom: One Mom's Challenge
    Nov 3 2025

    In our last episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston introduced the One Small Change Challenge and the DARTS model (Doable, Arrange for success, Reasons, Treats, Support) as she coached two moms on creating strategies to reach their phone-related small change targets.

    This week, she talks with another mom, a certified parent coach who wants to stop using her phone before bed and keep it in her room overnight. You'll hear the specific strategies Lisa commits to.

    In the next episode, you'll find out how it worked out for her and for the other moms from the previous episode. Listeners are encouraged to take on their own One Small Change Challenge and let their kids in on what they're aiming to do and the strategies they're using, and, most importantly, to ask their kids for support.

    Change is not easy. If you're participating in the challenge, email Dr. Ruston at delaney@screenagersmovie.com and let her know how it's going.

    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 to Parenting in the Screen Age

    00:21 Recap of the One Small Change Challenge

    00:39 Introducing Lisa and Her Phone Habit

    01:59 Lisa's Struggle with Phone Use at Night

    06:38 Implementing the DARTS Method

    07:59 Setting Goals and Arranging for Success

    11:39 Reinforcement and Support Strategies

    17:56 Conclusion and Next Steps

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    19 mins
  • Why Do I Keep Reaching for My Phone? Two Moms Try to Change
    Oct 20 2025

    Do you ever catch yourself reaching for your phone when you don't really need or want to, and wonder what that shows your kids? In this episode, Screenagers creator Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with two moms who decide it's time to make a change.

    They talk about the habits they want to shift and take on the One Small Change Challenge using a model called DARTS: Doable, Arrange for success, Reasons, Treats, and Support.

    Follow along as Delaney walks Tory and Hillary through setting their own goals, and try using this model to set yours too. We'd love to hear if you do, so send a note to delaney@screenagersmovie.com.

    It's an honest look at what happens when parents face their own phone habits and try something new. In a future episode, we'll check in to see how their challenges went.

    Additional Resources

    Bring Screenagers to your community

    Screenagers Website

    Time Code

    00:00 Introduction

    01:25 The One Small Change Challenge

    01:43 Introducing the DARTS Model

    03:22 Meet Hillary: A Parent's Struggle with Phone Use

    09:31 Setting Goals and Creating an Action Plan

    16:58 Finding Support and Accountability

    17:55 Engaging Family in the Journey

    18:14 The Importance of Parental Vulnerability

    21:07 Planning the Challenge

    22:23 Tory's Struggle with Phone Use

    26:24 Setting Goals with the DARTS Model

    32:02 Creating a Support System

    32:31 Conclusion and Call to Action

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    34 mins
  • From Sports Betting to Porn: Parental Conversations Boys Need
    Oct 6 2025

    What kind of partner do you want to be someday? Do you think privacy is important in a relationship? What do you think pornography leaves out about real relationships? These are just a few of the unusual yet important questions boys are rarely asked.

    In this episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston continues her conversation with educator Christopher Pepper and journalist Joanna Schroeder, co-authors of the new book Talk To Your Boys.

    Together, they discuss how to help boys navigate gaming, romantic relationships, and pornography. They explore online sports betting ("the house always wins"), share ways to bring up sensitive topics like pornography, and highlight the particular role dads can play in guiding these conversations.

    Featured Experts

    Christopher Pepper

    Joanna Schroeder‍

    Book

    Talk To Your Boys: 16 Conversations to Help Tweens and Teens Grow Into Confident, Caring Young Men, by Christopher Pepper and Joanna Schroeder

    Additional Resources

    Stan Tatkin

    Screenagers Website

    Bring Screenagers to your community

    Time Code

    00:00 Breaking Stereotypes: The Importance of Talking to Boys

    00:37 The Influence of Online Algorithms on Teenage Boys

    01:22 The Allure and Risks of Sports Betting

    04:16 Navigating Relationships and Sexuality

    07:35 The Impact of Media on Perceptions of Sex

    16:03 Addressing Pornography and Sexual Content

    26:24 Encouraging Open Conversations and Emotional Awareness

    28:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    31 mins