Best Social Screenagers Podcasts (2024)

1
Tackling Problematic Social Media Use 24:07

26d ago24:07

24:07

In this episode, host Dr. Delaney discusses problematic social media use with therapist and media addiction expert Tracy Markle. Tracy is the founder and co-director of the Digital Media Treatment and Education Center in Boulder, Colorado. Tracy explains the critical effects social media can have on teen mental health, particularly in girls and sha…

1
Kids Using AI Chatbots: The Risks Parents Can’t Ignore 31:05

5h ago31:05

31:05

Host Dr. Delaney interviews Natalie Foos, director of VoiceBox and lead author of the eye-opening report, “Coded Companions: Young People’s Relationships with AI Chat Bots." The discussion centers on the risks posed by AI chatbots in young people's lives, using examples like Snapchat’s My AI and the AI companion app Replika. The report provides con…

1
The Sleep Crisis: Addressing Melatonin and Tech as Sleep Aids 26:00

14d ago26:00

26:00

In this episode of the Screenagers podcast, Dr. Delaney explores the alarming rise of sleep deprivation among teens starting in 2012, coinciding with the rise of screen time. Featuring clips from Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition and insights from experts Lauren Hale, PhD, and Judith Owens, MD, the episode delves into new brain science aro…

1
How to Delay Social Media and Smartphone Use With Wait Until 8th 28:50

1M ago28:50

28:50

Founder of the "Wait Until 8th" movement, Brooke Shannon, joins Dr. Delaney Ruston for a conversation. Brooke shares insights on the Wait Until 8th pledge, its community-based approach, and strategies for parents to manage digital exposure responsibly. The conversation also covers personal experiences, handling pushbacks, and practical steps for pa…

1
Instagram Unfiltered: Teens Tell All (Encore) 29:28

1M ago29:28

29:28

In recent days, Instagram has launched a range of new features designed to protect teens who are using the platform. Today we revisit this episode of the Screenagers podcast where Dr. Ruston spoke with three teen girls from middle school, high school, and college about their experiences, both good and bad, with Instagram. They discuss why they join…

1
Parenting Tips from Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition 13:09

2M ago13:09

13:09

In this episode of the Screenagers podcast, physician/filmmaker Dr. Delaney Ruston gives some parenting highlights from her new movie Screenagers: Elementary School Edition. Key topics include handling meltdowns during screen time transitions, promoting open communication around social media, and mitigating the negative impacts of violent media. Pr…

1
How ZYN's Social Media Strategy is Driving Teen Nicotine Addiction 18:47

2M ago18:47

18:47

There was JUUL. Now there is ZYN. Big Tobacco is continuing to make its business model addiction, and its customer base teens and young adults. In today’s episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with Dr. Robert Jackler, an expert on how Big Tobacco targets teens with slick and deceptive advertising and misleading products. Dr. Jackler, a professor at Sta…

1
How Smartphones Are Pushing Schools to Breaking Point 30:26

3M ago30:26

30:26

In this episode of The Screenagers Podcast Dr. Delaney Ruston is joined by her film and Screenagers partner, Lisa Tabb, to discuss their 'Away for the Day' campaign, which aims to remove smartphones and smartwatches from students during school hours to improve their academic and social well-being. They explore the campaign's benefits, the rapid ris…

1
How A Teen Run Instagram Account Shook a School (Encore) 48:40

3M ago48:40

48:40

We're revisiting this poignant episode that highlights how important it is for parents to regularly check-in with their kids about their online activity and behaviors. Dr. Delaney Ruston interviews journalist Dashka Slater about her book, Accountable, where she writes about the true story of a social media account run by a small group of teens who …

1
Instagram Unfiltered: Teens Tell All 29:28

4M ago29:28

29:28

In this episode of the Screenagers podcast, Dr Ruston talks with three teen girls from middle school, high school, and college about their experiences, both good and bad, with Instagram. They discuss why they joined the platform, how they use it, and the types of content they see, including ads and influencer posts. The conversation delves into the…

1
From Junk Food to Social Media: How Teens Get Manipulated 22:48

4M ago22:48

22:48

How do we get our kids to make healthier choices when it comes to resisting junk food, smoking, or social media? In today’s podcast episode, Dr. Ruston talks with David Yeager, a leading researcher in the science of youth behavior change, motivation, and the power of mindsets, which are essentially our beliefs. Yeager studies show what happens when…

1
How Our Own Trauma Impacts Our Parenting 31:36

4M ago31:36

31:36

How can the big and little “t” traumas parents have experienced in their lives negatively impact their parenting around screen time? In this episode, Dr Ruston engages in a profound conversation with therapist Dr. David Johnson, who was the CEO of one of Seattle’s leading mental health providers, Navos, and has 48 years of experience in individual …

1
Jonathan Haidt Explains the Youth Mental Health Crisis 22:49

5M ago22:49

22:49

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 Generati…

1
How Media Is Fueling A Risky Sexual Practice Among Teens 26:28

5M ago26:28

26:28

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 se…

1
Screen Time Parenting With Positive Discipline 35:02

6M ago35:02

35:02

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 an…

1
Mean Behind The Screens 27:06

6M ago27:06

27:06

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…

1
Absolute Yes To Fighting Less (Rerun) 21:50

7M ago21:50

21:50

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…

1
Acing Screen Time Conflicts with Lisa Damour 40:40

7M ago40:40

40:40

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 …

1
Snapchat Uncovered - Teens Discuss Pitfalls of this Popular App 19:47

8M ago19:47

19:47

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 woma…

1
Is Social Media Addiction A Real Thing? 27:17

8M ago27:17

27:17

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 loo…

1
How Self-Compassion Can Make Parenting Easier 33:20

9M ago33:20

33:20

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…

1
How to Address the Hardest Screen Time Parenting Dilemmas 26:37

9M ago26:37

26:37

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…

1
Decoding Adolescent Decision Making on Screens and Off 18:49

10M ago18:49

18:49

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 psychiatri…

1
How Does Our Digital Age Impact Teen Weed Use? 23:38

10M ago23:38

23:38

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…

1
How Much Do We Really Know About Teen Vaping? 21:38

11M ago21:38

21:38

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, …

1
A Teen Run Instagram Account Shook a School and the Lessons Learned 48:40

11M ago48:40

48:40

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 effec…

1
When Screen Time Rules Are Broken 11:14

1+ y ago11:14

11:14

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 fr…

1
Love Ambush 10:25

1+ y ago10:25

10:25

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 combatti…

1
Teen Love, Hookups And How To Talk About It All 15:33

1+ y ago15:33

15:33

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 re…

1
Podcast Recommendations for the Whole Family This Summer 9:17

1+ y ago9:17

9:17

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, b…

1
Summer Reset — Online and Offline 9:44

1+ y ago9:44

9:44

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.…

1
One Girl's Experience With Online Gaming And Strangers 17:10

3y ago17:10

17:10

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…

1
Why Care About Social And Emotional Learning? 12:37

3y ago12:37

12:37

As teens head back to school with even more emotional challenges than ever before due to the pandemic, providing them tools to address such challenges is crucial. Studies show that Social and Emotional Learning, called SEL, can help improve emotional well-being, academics, and more. In this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston tal…

1
Two Moms, Two Experiments In Less Screen Time 14:02

3+ y ago14:02

14:02

In today’s episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with two mothers who have been working to have specific family times with less screen interference. First is a mom of four and her experience of doing screen-free family Sundays. Learn about the upsides and the challenges. The other is a mom in Alaska who has prioritized readin…

1
Parents In Conflict Over Screen Time 15:18

3+ y ago15:18

15:18

We've all heard the importance of parents showing a united front to their kids about rules. It’s a good thing to be united, but what about when you’re not? In this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston looks at strategies parents can turn to when in disagreement — whether married or divorced. We gain insights from clinical psycholo…

1
One Family’s Weekly Unplugging Ritual 20:15

3+ y ago20:15

20:15

We are doing episodes on ways families experiment with having specific times for more togetherness and less screen interference. Today's episode of The Screenagers Podcast is with Tiffany Shlain and her daughter, Odessa. Tiffany is the founder of the Webby Awards, a filmmaker, and the author of the book 24/6. The podcast explores her family’s weekl…

1
Calling All Kids And Adults: Let’s Rethink Cyberbullying 30:08

3+ y ago30:08

30:08

When it comes to cyberbullying, what's fact and what's fiction? What do all kids need to know about how to handle online cruelty and how to help those getting targeted? And what can parents and schools do to be most helpful? On this episode of The Screenagers Project, Dr. Delaney Ruston speaks with psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Englander, who has spen…

1
School's In And So Is Anxiety 15:31

3+ y ago15:31

15:31

This spring, as vaccination rates increase, more schools are opening their campuses for in-person learning. At the same time, anxiety about returning to school is high for many youth. How do we help our kids and teens who are experiencing anxious feelings related to school? To address this topic on The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston speaks…

1
Recovered Gaming Addict Shares His Story And Advice 24:21

3+ y ago24:21

24:21

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 advice to youth and their p…

1
Violence In Video Games And Shows, Why Should We Care? 18:31

4y ago18:31

18:31

Everyone knows that many young people play video games based on violent themes, and that shows have far more violence than when adults were kids. When COVID hit, many parents started to allow their kids to play games that they wouldn't have before COVID just because it has been such a source of connection and whatnot. In today’s episode of The Scre…

1
Tips From A Therapist Of Teens With Problematic Tech Use 23:25

4y ago23:25

23:25

These days Dr. Delaney Ruston hears parents’ concerns around all the video gaming their kids are doing — as well as social media and other screen time. Some are worried about the risks of developing an addiction to technology. in today's episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Ruston talks with Ed Spector, Psy.D., a psychologist who has specialized…

1
Inoculating Youth With The Truth About Vaccines 12:23

4y ago12:23

12:23

False information about vaccines has been around before social media, but now it can spread that much faster. The results have been deadly. We all want safe and effective vaccines against COVID. In today' episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston breaks down some of the false information around vaccines, explores amazing vaccine histor…

1
How To Spot And Stop The Spread of Disinformation 21:00

4y ago21:00

21:00

Now more than ever, it is crucial to have the ability to spot disinformation on the internet. How skillful are our kids at spotting disinformation? In this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, we meet the director of the Stanford History Education Group, Joel Breakstone, PhD, who has researched this topic — and it is not pretty. His team has analyze…

1
New Science On Sleep, Our Kids, And What To Do 17:20

4y ago17:20

17:20

With back to school starting, and with all the online and offline stressors our kids are facing, The Screenagers Podcast is about improving their well-being by focusing on healthy sleep. Have your kids and teens listen to this show with you! Hear fascinating insights from Dr. Judy Owens, the Director of Sleep Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital,…

1
Absolute Yes To Fighting Less 21:21

4y ago21:21

21:21

Arguments in the home about screen time are common and more so when school is in session, so 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 exp…

1
How Influencers Make All Their Money, And Why It’s Important 16:54

4+ y ago16:54

16:54

It is a brand new world where regular people of all ages can become stars on the internet overnight. But how do young influencers become brand marketers? Is it different for female and male influencers? Kids and teens feel connected and trust YouTubers they follow, but are they aware they are being marketed to? And how is this type of marketing aff…

1
TikTok's Allure (and How Two Teens Cut Back) 16:37

4+ y ago16:37

16:37

Time on TikTok has been skyrocketing. Why is it attracting such huge numbers of teens? What positives can happen on the app, and what are some of the risks? The sheer amount of time it consumes is what most young people say is TikTok’s biggest downside. On today's episdoe of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston speaks with two teenagers, Mar…

1
Brain Biology and Preventing Excessive Video Gaming 17:57

4+ y ago17:57

17:57

Why do some kids and teens get overly frustrated and bored when it’s time to turn off their video games? How to know when game playing has become excessive? What are tips that all families should know for ensuring healthy video game play? In today’s episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston explores these issues along with a new model …

1
Exploring the Impacts of Social Media 7:07

5+ y ago7:07

7:07

Listen to us interview teens about their experience with social media.

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Social Screenagers Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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