Best Delaney Ruston Podcasts (2025)

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New Science On Sleep, Our Kids, And What To Do (Encore) 18:35

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10d ago18:35

18:35

As back-to-school season begins, and kids face mounting stress both online and offline, this episode explores how healthy sleep can support their well-being. Hear from Dr. Judy Owens, Director of Sleep Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital and professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. Discover key brain research with Adriana Galván, a UCLA…

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How Students Are Really Using AI & ChatGPT 17:12

25d ago17:12

17:12

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 acad…

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Social Media’s Influence on Eating Disorders: Insights from Dr. G 29:23

1M ago29:23

29:23

What role does social media play in disordered eating and eating disorders? And how can parents spot early warning signs and have meaningful conversations about these tough topics? In this episode, host Dr. Ruston talks with Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani, a physician specializing in eating disorders for nearly two decades. Dr. Gaudiani explains the differe…

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Eating Disorders and Social Media: Isabelle’s Story 22:52

2M ago22:52

22:52

We often hear about social media’s impact on body image, but what can we learn from someone who’s lived it firsthand, developing a serious exercise and eating disorder? Dr. Delaney Ruston sits down with Isabelle, a teen who bravely shares her journey from body dysmorphia to a severe eating disorder, struggles made worse by the constant stream of tr…

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When Co-Parents Clash Over Screen Rules 22:31

2M ago22:31

22:31

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, th…

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Are AirPods Ruining Our Kids’ Hearing? 20:00

3M ago20:00

20:00

How risky are the high volumes blasting through the earpods that poke into our kids’ ears? What about our adult ears? In this episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston explores the fascinating world of hearing health and the risks associated with exposure to loud noises, especially through headphones and earphones. Delaney is joined by Dr. Robert Jackler, MD, a …

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Boredom In, Boredom Out: How Teens Experience Social Media 30:08

3M ago30:08

30:08

Why is it so hard for teens and young adults to cut back on social media — even when they truly want to? What emotional triggers keep pulling them back onto apps, and what actually happens once they're there? In this episode of Parenting in the Screen Age, host Dr. Delaney Ruston explores these questions with Dr. Katie Davis, a leading expert on yo…

1
Screen Time, Teens and Therapy: What Parents Need to Know 28:54

4M ago28:54

28:54

In this episode of 'Parenting in the Screen Age,' host Delaney Ruston discusses the critical role of counseling and therapy for teen mental health. Joined by Laura Kastner, PhD, author of acclaimed parenting books and a teen and family therapist for over 30 years, they debunk common myths about therapy and explore effective ways parents can support…

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How Screens Trap Teens In Depression — Jean Twenge Explains the Trap 29:53

4M ago29:53

29:53

Are screens just a habit for young people, or something far more harmful? In this episode, psychologist and researcher Dr. Jean Twenge, author of iGen and Generations, breaks down how screen time — especially social media and gaming — is hijacking teen mental health. From rising rates of depression and anxiety to her powerful “A-N-D” framework (Att…

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Tradwives, the Manosphere, and Online Sexism: What Can Parents Do? 32:01

5M ago32:01

32:01

How can we help girls develop a sharp, critical perspective on gender inequality without dampening their ambitions? How do we guide boys to recognize how rigid gender roles harm them too? With the popular Netflix series Adolescence sparking intense discussions about gender attitudes and aggression, these questions are more pressing than ever. And h…

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Inside a Middle School’s Fight Against Smartphone-Fueled Cruelty and Bullying 25:36

5M ago25:36

25:36

In many schools today, students hesitate to give class presentations — not because of stage fright, but because they're afraid of being secretly recorded and mocked on social media. Principals across the country are spending their time managing the aftermath of incidents sparked by viral trends like “Ship or Dip” posts. Physical altercations betwee…

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Raising Independent Kids: The Issue of Phone Trackers with America’s ‘Worst’ Mom 34:22

6M ago34:22

34:22

Kids and teens are experiencing less independence than in the past — whether due to screen time, parents' fears of letting them roam freely, or other factors. It’s a problem. But why? And what can be done? In this episode, host Dr. Delaney Ruston discusses this important topic with journalist Lenore Skenazy, who was labeled “America's Worst Mom” af…

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How One School’s Bold Move to Lock Away Phones Transformed Learning 19:02

6M ago19:02

19:02

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 imp…

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What Does “Hookup Culture” Actually Mean? Answers for Parents and Teens 30:00

7M ago30:00

30:00

Host Delaney Ruston, MD, delves into this complex topic with Lisa Wade, PhD, researcher and author of American Hookup. Lisa shares insights from her 15 years of research, offering a deep understanding of sexual dynamics on college campuses, as explored in her book. We examine the nuances of the term "hookup," the implications of hookup culture, the…

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Is It Okay for Kids and Teens to Be Angry With Their Parents? 21:34

7M ago21:34

21:34

Parents know it can be tough when their kids and teens get mad at them for establishing a boundary. It can make parents feel uncomfortable, question their boundaries, or shy away from setting them altogether. Dr. Delaney speaks with psychologist Karen Pavlidis, Ph.D., about how to think about—and what to do about—our struggles when facing our kids’…

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How Smartwatches Are Subverting School No-Phone Policies 21:43

7M ago21:43

21:43

It’s no surprise that smartphones in the classroom can cause serious disruptions to learning. But what about smartwatches? Dr. Delaney explores the rising issue of wrist-based computers in schools and how one school has decided to tackle the problem. She speaks with K-8 school counselor and Nurtured Heart practitioner Dr. Tammy Fisher to learn how …

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Teens, Roblox, and Real Money: A Parents Guide to In-Game Purchases 26:27

7M ago26:27

26:27

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 …

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Talking to Your Teen About Sex: Advice for Parents 20:16

8M ago20:16

20:16

Dr. Delaney is joined by Laura Kastner, PhD, a clinical psychologist and author of multiple parenting books. Together, they delve into strategies for talking to our teens about sex and not letting taboo or embarrassment get in the way of what can be vital conversations. Covering topics such as consent and alcohol they emphasize the significance of …

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Managing Meltdowns and Easing Sibling Screen Time Conflicts 21:13

8M ago21:13

21:13

This episode looks at solutions for when screens and devices like tablets are causing conflict in the home, especially when it is time for them to be turned off! Siblings will often find themselves in conflict over devices and screen time, whether arguments over whose turn it is, jealousy over differing time allowances and scenarios wherein the you…

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Jonathan Haidt Explains the Youth Mental Health Crisis (Encore) 22:49

9M ago22:49

22:49

This holiday season, it is inevitable that many young people will be gifted new smartphones, smartwatches, video games and other personal technology. With this in mind, today we're bringing back this important conversation with Jonathan Haidt, author of one of 2024's most talked about and best selling books The Anxious Generation, who joined Dr. De…

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How to Motivate Our Kids Without Nagging Them! 44:01

9M ago44:01

44:01

Dr. Delaney sits down with acclaimed developmental psychologist David Yeager, Ph.D., to discuss his groundbreaking book, 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People. Together, they delve into the transformative power of adopting a mentor mindset to simplify parenting — especially when tackling tech time challenges. Learn why combining high sta…

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Why School Safety Experts Want Phone Bans 22:09

10M ago22:09

22:09

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Delaney dives into a question that sparks debate among educators, parents, and safety experts: Is it safer for students to have their phones during a school lockdown, or could it do more harm than good? To tackle this complex topic, Dr. Ruston speaks with a school superintendent, two police officers, and Clayt…

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

10M 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…

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

10M 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
Tackling Problematic Social Media Use 24:07

11M 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…

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

11M 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…

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

11M 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…

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

12M 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

1y 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

1y 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…

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

1y 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

1y 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

1y 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

1y 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

1y 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…

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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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…

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Mean Behind The Screens 27:06

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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 …

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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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…

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How Self-Compassion Can Make Parenting Easier 33:20

1+ y 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

1+ y 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…

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Decoding Adolescent Decision Making on Screens and Off 18:49

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

2y 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

2y 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

2y 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…