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 2026 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

Struggling to get on the same page with your co-parent about screen time rules? Worried that enforcing boundaries might harm your relationship with your teen?
In this episode, Delaney talks with renowned family psychologist and author Dr. Laura Kastner about the tricky, but crucial, process of setting and upholding screen time rules. Together, they explore a practical roadmap built around The Four Cs: Calm, Confidence, Co-Parent Unity, and Collaboration.
Packed with relatable examples and expert-backed strategies, this conversation will help you navigate resistance and hold boundaries that support your child's emotional development and well-being.
 
Featured Expert
Laura Kastner, PhD
 
Books
Getting To Calm, by Laura Kastner, PhD
Wise Minded Parenting, by Laura Kastner, PhD
 
Additional Resources:
Screenagers Website
Bring Screenagers to Your Community
 
Time Code
00:00 Understanding the Core Issue: Fear and Relationships
00:27 Introduction to Parenting in the Screen Age
00:45 Challenges of Setting Screen Time Boundaries
01:10 Real-Life Examples of Unpopular Rules
02:31 Interview with Dr. Laura Kasner: The Four Cs
02:58 Applying the Four Cs to Real Scenarios
04:45 Staying Calm and Confident
06:23 Co-Parenting and Collaboration
08:39 Handling Teen Reactions and Family Meetings
12:18 Polarization and Parental Unity
20:03 Concluding Thoughts and Resources

What happens when a high school struggling with smartphone distractions takes a bold step and starts locking away all devices, midway through the school year?
Even more unusual: the phones aren't just put away; they're locked up in classrooms for the entire day, except during lunch.
Dr. Delaney interviews Principal Deanna Albert to explore how implementing 'Away for the Day' policies transformed both learning and social interactions at Hardin High School.
Deanna shares the challenges and successes of making this shift, including how it improved student engagement, reduced distractions, and curbed social media-related issues.
 
Featured Expert
Principal Deanna Albert
 
Additional Resources:
Screenagers Website
Bring Screenagers to Your Community
 
Additional Links
Awayfortheday.org
 
Time Code
00:00 Introduction
00:15 About Screenagers & Away For The Day
01:04 Campaign Success and Challenges
01:38 Issues with Phone Policies in Schools
02:29 Interview with Principal Deanna Albert
04:42 Implementing the New Phone Policy
08:43 Positive Outcomes and Challenges
11:23 Community and Legal Implications
15:14 Final Thoughts and Resources

This week we return to a popular episode, originally published in Jan 2025, where Dr. Delaney dives into the world of Roblox and examines how in-game purchases impact young people, featuring insights from two young Roblox players and Mark Edwards, a therapist specializing in excessive video game use among teens.
The episode explores the challenges of spending real money on virtual items in games like Roblox and Fortnite — think Robux or V-Bucks — and delves into key issues such as personal values, impulse control, financial literacy, and addiction.
Suitable for both adults and teens, this episode also provides practical advice for parents on fostering conversations about digital spending and guiding their kids toward making more thoughtful financial decisions in the gaming world
 
Guest:
Mark Edwards, MS, MFT
 
Additional Resources:
Screenagers Website
Bring Screenagers to Your Community
 
Time Codes: 
00:00 Introduction
01:04 Interview with Teen Roblox Players
04:35 Therapist's Perspective on Virtual Spending
06:35 Understanding Loot Boxes
10:19 Parental Guidance and Financial Literacy
15:55 Practical Tips for Parents
25:11 Conclusion and Resources

How are students really using ChatGPT and other AI tools for school work? What do they see as acceptable? And where do they draw the line? What happens when AI is used for creative projects, and at what cost?
In this episode of Parenting in the Screen Age, Delaney Ruston, MD, explores the impact of AI tools like ChatGPT on student learning and academic integrity. She shares interviews with college students who talk candidly about using AI for academic purposes, what they will and won't do, and how they navigate ethical gray areas. One student recounts being accused of cheating with AI, and we learn how she got through the experience.
The episode encourages parents, educators, and students to have ongoing conversations about the responsible use of AI technologies in and beyond the classroom.
 
Additional Resources
Screenagers Website
Bring Screenagers to Your Community‍
 
‍‍‍Time Code
00:00 Introduction
00:47 The Rise of AI in Education
01:46 Student Interviews: Creative Uses of AI
06:47 Student Interviews: Academic Uses of AI
14:53 Student Interviews: Ethical Concerns and Personal Choices
17:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts