Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast

Is social media, smartphones, and the sheer amount of time that young people are on screens really the main reason for the rise in mental health problems of today's youth? On today's episode, we delve into this pressing issue with Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist, and author of the current New York Times bestselling book, "The Anxious Generation". His insights provide a clear and compelling explanation of why this indeed is likely the case. Beyond just correlational studies, what do actual experiments show us about the link between teen mental health and screen time? Why is the time of puberty particularly concerning when it comes to handing over smartphones and social media? Why does social media seem to impact girls more negatively than boys? These are just some of the questions that today's episode addresses. In addition, Haidt offers two solutions for improving teen mental health. This episode is not just for adults but also for teens who are directly affected by these issues. Of note, suicidal ideation is mentioned briefly in the episode. Featured Expert Jonathan Haidt, PhD Research References Links to research discussed in the episode Additional Links The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Time Code 00:00 Introduction to The Screenagers Podcast 00:23 Meet Jonathan Haidt, Author and Social Psychologist 01:29 The Anxious Generation: Key Insights 02:06 Impact of Social Media on Mental Health 03:52 Gender Differences in Mental Health Trends 05:57 Correlational and Experimental Studies on Screen Time 09:04 The Natural Experiment of Facebook's Rollout 12:31 The Hidden Dangers of Social Media 16:59 Aggression and Social Cruelty Online 19:25 Proposed Solutions and Parental Involvement 21:21 Conclusion and Resources

In today's episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with author Peggy Orenstein about a media-fueled risky sexual practice that is happening among some teens today — choking, also called sexual strangulation. Orenstein, who has spent many years researching sexuality among youth for her books "Girls and Sex" and "Boys and Sex," investigated the topic of sexual choking for a New York Times article that was published last month. Today, Orenstein shares some of her findings from that investigation, including the influence of pornography and other media on this new trend. What are the psychological and physical risks of this practice? And what are ways to have productive conversations with young people on this and related topics? This episode also includes a 19-year-old discussing her concerns about sexual choking. This episode is intended for adult audiences. Featured Expert Peggy Orenstein Research References The Troubling Trend in Teen Sex -New York Times Article by Peggy Orenstein What is rough sex, who does it, and who likes it? Findings from a probability sample of US undergraduate students (Archives of Sexual Behavior) Additional Links Yes Your Kid: What Parents Need to Know about Today's Teens and Sex, by Debby Herbenick Sex, Teens, and Everything in Between, by Shafia Zaloum Want Me by Tracy, by Clark Flory Girls and Sex, by Peggy Orenstein Boys and Sex, by Peggy Orenstein Time Code 00:00 Introduction to the Screenagers Podcast 00:17 The Shocking Reality of Choking in Sexual Encounters Among Youth 01:18 Mainstream Media's Role in Normalizing BDSM and Choking 02:02 Insightful Conversation with Peggy Ornstein on Sexual Strangulation 05:42 The Alarming Data on Choking Among College Students 07:42 The Influence of Media and Social Media on Sexual Behavior 13:24 Addressing the Risks and How to Talk About Them 20:56 Empowering Youth to Speak Out and Advocate for Safety 24:12 Concluding Thoughts and Resources for Challenging Conversations

In today's episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with Casey O'Roarty, Med., who is a well-recognized expert in Positive Discipline, particularly when it comes to tweens and teens. She is the author of Joyful Courage and the host of the Joyful Courage podcast and has spent over 15 years working with families. In this episode, Casey provides real-life anecdotes about when kids sneak screen time when they have meltdowns and other behaviors, and she explores fostering curiosity, addressing meltdowns, and finding the delicate balance between having firmness while fostering a strong parent-child relationship. In addition, another guest, a mother of three kids, shares her experience with ditching her old parenting ways to adopt the Positive Discipline approach. Show Notes Casey O'Roarty's website

Sometimes, gaming is not all fun and games. Foul words and degrading comments are all too common when kids and teens play video games together. From first-person shooter games like Call of Duty to building games like Minecraft and Roblox, competitive banter can be ugly. In this episode, Dr Ruston talks with Dr. Kishonna Gray, assistant professor of digital studies at the University of Kentucky, who researches various human dynamics that occur during video gaming. Dr. Gray works with parents and youth on how to manage the hard parts of gaming culture and shares many insights and solutions on today's show. A teen gamer adds thoughts as well. The episode is intended for adult and youth audiences. EPISODE NOTES Featured Expert Kishona Gray

We're bringing back this episode today to help with the common arguments in the home about screen time and what to do. What is a parenting strategy that can promote healthy screen use, and other positive behaviors, while at the same time decrease fighting? In this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with one of her favorite parenting experts, Dr. Tammy Fisher Huson, about a strategy that has made a real difference in Dr. Ruston's own home.

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? On today's episode, 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 Teenagers." The episode explores teen psychology, common screen time arguments, and several approaches to having healthier conflicts. The episode is intended for adult and youth audiences. Featured Expert Lisa Damour Research References The role of music in adolescents' mood regulation (Sage Journal) Extreme Metal Music and Anger Processing (Frontiers in Human Neuroscience) The appeal of sad music: A brief overview of current directions in research on motivations for listening to sad music (The Arts in Psychotherapy) Additional Links Lisa Damour's website The Ask Lisa Podcast Books by Lisa Damour: Untangled Under Pressure The Emotional Lives Of Teenagers

Concerns over Snapchat use by its many young users seem to be discussed much less than concerns over TikTok and Instagram. Yet, issues with Snapchat are plenty — be it social conflicts or the sexually explicit material that can be seen on the app. In today's episode, Dr. Ruston discusses these topics and more with a high school boy and a young woman in college. The guests discuss problems created by the App's Snapscore feature, which is a ranking given to users based on how many snaps they send or receive. In addition, they talk about social conflicts that can happen on the app, issues around sexual content, and suggestions to parents regarding when to allow the app and how to talk about it with kids. Additional Links The birth of Snapchat How Snapchat defines Snapscore Snapchat's Discover page and connection to Cosmo About OnlyFans

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

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

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