Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast

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

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

On today's episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston dives into the world of teens, vaping, and the cunning tactics e-cigarette companies use on social media. We'll uncover the health hazards of vaping, examine how influencers glamorize it, and we will expose deceptive marketing strategies. Joining me are Dr. Pam Ling and Rob Jackler, featured in my latest film, Screenagers Under The Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, and Alcohol in the Digital Age. They shed light on vaping's dangers and the industry's slick ploys to lure in young people. I also discuss how to empower our youth to see through these manipulations and protect themselves from the vaping industry's grasp. Research References Young adult responses to COVID-19 themed tobacco and nicotine product marketing on social media (British Medical Journal). #ecig: How Social Media is Changing the Ad Game (Johnson & Wales University) Effects of Social Media on Adolescents' Willingness and Intention to Use E-Cigarettes: An Experimental Investigation (Nicotine and Tobacco Research) New Approach to Decrease Smoking Among Young Adult Bar Patrons (Tobacco Induced Diseases) Time Code 00:04 Introduction to the Podcast 00:10 Understanding the Vaping Industry and Its Influence on Teens 00:36 The Role of Social Media in Promoting Vaping 01:55 The Misconceptions about Vaping and E-cigarettes 03:22 The Dangers of Vaping and E-cigarette Chemicals 06:09 The Deceptive Marketing Strategies of Vaping Companies 07:47 The Impact of Influencer Marketing on Vaping 11:50 Activism and Its Role in Combating Vaping 14:57 The Role of FDA and Regulatory Loopholes 19:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston interviews journalist Dashka Slater about her new book, Accountable, where she writes about the true story of a social media account run by a small group of teens who posted racist memes. The account spread quickly and got edgier as it went. The book follows the account's profound effect on the teens, friends, and high school. Dr. Ruston's interview with Slater dives into issues like what compels teens to do things they know are out of bounds, such as acts of racism, the difference between guilt and shame, and transformative justice. Slater discusses methods of communicating with children about preventing doing such acts, and Dr. Ruston provides strategies for them to use when they encounter friends who do, and shares advice for parents and teens on dealing with the repercussions of online racism and the complexities of forgiveness and empathy. Here is a link to Dashka Slater's website, where you can find a link to her book and much more. Here is Slater's Substack, where she has lesson plans, too. 00:04 Introduction and Overview 01:04 The Epidemic of Online Racism 01:43 Unveiling the Story of 'Accountable' 02:42 The Impact of Racist Online Activities 03:01 The Discovery and Consequences of the Racist Account 08:34 The Role of Video Games in Promoting Offensive Language 10:10 The Creation and Spread of the Racist Account 11:35 The Bystander Effect and Group Dynamics 18:52 The Impact on the Victims 21:38 Understanding Different Types of Justice 24:56 The Role of Restorative Justice in Schools 44:43 The Power of Forgiveness and Healing 47:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Today on The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston discusses skillful ways to respond when your kids break the family tech rules. One of the most challenging things for parents is knowing how to respond when kids break rules around screen time. Dr. Ruston talks about increasing the chances of kids following rules by getting collaborative input from them.

Discover the powerful strategy of a "love ambush" and becoming a mental health warrior. In this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston unveils the transformative impact of showing up unannounced to support those facing mental health challenges. Through personal stories and practical advice, Dr. Ruston unveils an approach to combatting isolation and building a caring team.

Summer's heating up. In today's episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston explores how we can help teens have a better understanding of what makes up positive romantic relationships, including physical intimacy. In a past survey, teens between the ages of 14 and 17 were asked what sources help them understand sex. Thirty-one percent responded that helpful information was most likely to come from parents and 22 % said friends. Dr. Ruston says parents are a great resource if they want to take on this challenge and get better at it.

In today's episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston shares recommendations for podcasts that you can listen to with your family this summer. So why these recommendations? Well, one of the objectives of the Screenagers movement is finding ways to connect youth and adults for meaningful conversations, not just about tech in our lives, but ways to help build in our kids' critical thinking, empathy, communication skills, and Dr. Ruston is a strong believer that listening to podcasts together and then discussing them can be a really terrific way to do that. It's also a way to celebrate one of the pearls of our tech revolution: the ability of people to become podcasters and to share science, stories, advice, and more.

Youth will have more time to breathe and explore their interests beyond school, but so often, downtime becomes screen time. Summer's wide open time spans can heighten battles over technology use. This is the perfect time to revisit your family rules, see what's working and what's not, and come up with summer guidelines.

In today's episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with an 11-year-old girl, Mira, regarding what she likes about the popular gaming platform Roblox and the video game Minecraft. Mira also shares experiences she's had with strangers while gaming. Mira discusses specific encounters and how she has handled such situations. Mira's mom joins for part of the episode. If you have kids who do online gaming, listening to this episode with them can help spark important conversations.