Raising Digital Natives: Solutions for Healthy Screen Time Habits with Delaney Ruston

The St. John Parent Association, in partnership with ParentMap, provided an opportunity to hear Delaney Ruston, documentary filmmaker, author, and physician speak to our community on November 19, 2024. Ruston is the creator of the Screenagers film series. During this hour-long interview, Dr. Ruston explored the impact of screens on kids and how families can find balance in the digital age. See below for some of the insights discussed during this session.

• The impact of screens on kids can be evaluated using the acronym AND.
  • A – Attachment/addiction
  • N – Negative experiences online
  • D – Displacement (of sleep, competence, etc.)
• Research shows a connection between depression and sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation is associated with screen use in kids’ bedrooms.
• When evaluating the amount of screen time that is appropriate for your child, take the full picture into account. Screens shouldn’t be a big part of their life pie, but rather, just a piece.
  • How do they spend their time?
  • What are they using screens for? Tech as a tool, treat, or talking.
• Keep communication constant. Consider having a periodic Family Tech Meeting to check in on how things are going and what could be changed. Don’t be afraid to experiment and change what’s not working.

Additional Resources

• Parent Map Article – A Parent’s Age-by-Age Guide to Screen Time
• Screenagers website
• Ruston’s weekly blog, Tech Talk Tuesdays
• The Screenagers Podcast

Click below to access the recording of the event. Use the password: ed*talks*replay