Oct. 24th, 2024 – Last night, Bedford Playhouse hosted a screening of Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition, a thought-provoking documentary by physician and filmmaker Dr. Delaney Ruston. The film addressed the growing concern many parents share about children becoming overly accustomed to technology at a young age. Dr. Ruston, having observed her own children spending significant time on screens, explored the impact of excessive screen time on children’s development and the conflicts it causes in homes and schools over how to manage it.
Taking a deeply personal approach, Dr. Ruston shared her own family’s struggles with social media, video games, academics, and internet addiction. The film also featured insights from leading authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, uncovering how tech time affects kids’ development and offering practical solutions for parents seeking to empower their children to navigate the digital world with balance.
After the screening, a lively Q&A discussion allowed attendees to engage with the themes of the film, exploring strategies to create healthier relationships between kids and technology. The event resonated with many families in the community, emphasizing the importance of addressing screen time early on and finding ways to help children thrive in a digital age.