SCREENAGERS: GROWING UP IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Press Contact: Lisa Tabb, 415-482-8726
SCREENAGERS: Growing Up in The Digital Age has been screened more than 8,000 times
to 4 million people in more than 70 countries around the world.. With multiple screenings
happening daily in communities across the globe, SCREENAGERS is the first feature
documentary to explore the impact of screen technology on kids and offer parents and
families proven solutions that work. What started out as a personal story for one has grown
into a national movement, helping millions of teens and their families navigate growing up in
a world with instant access to screens.
ABOUT
Physician and filmmaker, Delaney Ruston decided to make SCREENAGERS when she
found herself constantly struggling with her two kids about screen time. Ruston felt guilty
and confused, not sure what limits were best, especially around mobile phones, social
media, gaming, and how to monitor online homework. Hearing repeatedly how other
parents were equally overwhelmed, she realized this is one of the biggest, unexplored
parenting issues of our time.
As a director, Ruston turned the camera on her own family and others—revealing stories of
messy struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. We
meet Hannah, a 14-year old victim of social media bullying who struggled trying to hide her
social media use from her mom. And Andrew, whose love of video games turned into an
addiction taking him from earning straight A’s to flunking out of college.
Interwoven into these stories, are cutting edge science and insights from thought leaders
Peggy Orenstein, Sherry Turkle, Simon Sinek, as well as leading brain scientists who
present evidence on the real changes in the brain when kids are on screens.
SCREENAGERS goes far beyond exposing the risks of screen time, it reveals multiple
approaches on how parents and educators can work with kids to help them achieve a
healthy amount of screen time.
SCREENAGERS is blazing a new model of distribution. Our community viewing model
brings parents and educators together to start a conversation nationwide about how screen
time impacts their lives and what they can do about it. As part of the community viewing
model, parents, educators, PTAs, religious organizations, medical practices and workplace
groups can book their own screenings at www.screenagersmovie.com. Parents are
encouraged to bring their kids to the movie.
Movie Themes
Use of screens in school
Boys and video games
Girls and social media
Risk of addiction
Stats
Kids spend on average 6.5 hours a day on screens and that doesn’t include
classroom or homework screen time.
Boys spend on average the equivalent of 1.5 days on video games every week
Some recent studies show us that screen time increases dopamine production and
causes behavior that mimics addiction.
Director bio
Delaney Ruston is a filmmaker, doctor and mother of two. Through her company, MyDoc
Productions, Delaney has made award-winning films such as Unlisted: A Story of
Schizophrenia, about her father, and Hidden Pictures: A Personal Journey into Global
Mental Health. These films aired on PBS, and were the focus of national campaigns to raise
awareness about mental health and were featured at conferences by the World Health
Organization. Delaney has been invited to screen her films and be a guest presenter to
hundreds of worldwide audiences. She presents to a wide range of audiences ranging from
school age children to The United Nations, The World Health Organization, Harvard and
TEDX.
Film has been a passion of Delaney’s throughout her education at Cornell, Stanford and the
University of California, San Francisco. She melded this interest with her medical training as
a fellow in Ethics and Communication. While on the faculty at the University of Washington,
she participated in a National Endowment for The Arts funded filmmaking program. She
was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to make films in India. She is currently the Filmmaker
in Residence at Stony Brook Medical Center, creating films that explore the intersection of
health and society. Delaney has been providing care in underserved clinics for over a
decade.
Testimonials:
"Sit your kids down and watch this movie. Sit on them if you have to. It's a MUST SEE for
anyone with kids in their lives!" - Martha Adams, Chief Creative Officer for Girls Rising
"I saw "Screenagers" two days ago at my son's school IS276 NYC. It was an incredible
eyeopener to me...Most that was presented was not new to me, but the way it was
presented got totally under my skin and pointed out exactly what we are dealing with in my
family. I thank you so much for sharing, this already has brought changes into our life." -
Kirsten R. C. New York Parent
"My husband and I have just been very concerned about this issue for some time, and as
I'm a geneticist at UCSF Children's Hospital Oakland, I'm very interested in the science
behind it. The film is first rate- you've made a REMARKABLE piece: thoughtful, provocative
and beautifully filmed and edited." -Beth T., Geneticist at UCSF Children’s Hospital
"Just wanted you to know that your movie has the attention of most of the important people
in my community. You have conquered Marin! It's making a huge buzz...." -Michelle G.,
Educator, Parenting Coach & Mindfulness Educator
“I got my daughter's feedback on the movie and I want to thank you and your team! She
learned a lot and has requested restrictions on her phone usage. I’m really happy for you
and the success of this project and grateful for its impact!!" -Amy S. School Administrator
"My 13 year old son and I watched the film Screenagers together. The impact of the film
was so great, that all on his own, when the movie ended, my son announced that he would
voluntarily be relinquishing his computer for a week. In the end, he was off completely for
10 days, and when he did get back on he started setting a timer and sticking to his own self-
imposed time limits. Thank you for sharing this valuable film with us."-Nancy B., Chair of
Parent-Education MVMS PTSA
"I loved the movie! It taught me and my sister so much. We had a great discussion about it
at home too." -Chloe B. 17-year-old
"Saw it last night & am thrilled to reference this film as a resource for families wrestling with
this topic! Thank You!"-Jen R. LMHC, Seattle WA
"I think this is the most important and rewarding film that has immediately useful and
beneficial information for all of us...I would like to see this film shown in every school. Then
let's have the discussion on how do we talk with one another and understand the world
today."-Kit Burns, Father, Tacoma WA
PRESS CONTACT: Lisa Tabb, SCREENAGERS’ co-producer
415-482-8726, lisa@screenagersmovie.com
To book a screening: 415-450-9585, booking@screenagersmovie.com