Matt McCrorie.
An international documentary film is making its way to Waimea College this week.
In the film ‘Screenagers’ teens can’t resist their smartphones, and parents don’t know what to do.
Sound familiar?
It was to Lauren Lesser, a member of the PTA.
When seeing the the film several years ago after doing her own research into the issues of too much screen time for kids, Lauren had the idea to host a community screening so that other parents could watch and discuss the film
“I wanted to use it to help facilitate a conversation amongst parents as to how to deal with increased screen use among our teens.”
Lauren says that many parents in the region feel uncertain about how to handle increasing screen time for their kids. They’re not alone.
“It’s different to what we as parents were dealing with when we were kids, and it can be so hard to know if you’re doing the right thing,” Lauren says.
The film ‘Screenagers’ being hosted by the PTA, was made by American director and physician Doctor Delaney Ruston, after her own struggles around screen time with her two kids.
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.
Her 14-year-old son wanted to play more video games, and her 12-year-old daughter was spending most of her time on social media.
When she began to investigate, she discovered that there were medical consequences of screen addiction among teens.
Decreased attention span, problems developing social skills, and a risk of clinical internet addiction are all problems that excessive screen time can lead to.
According to Dr. Delaney, studies show that anywhere from 5 to 15 per cent of young adults have serious problems with their internet use.
Another major study showed that even having phones or devices in the bedroom can affect critical sleep cycles.
The film shows perspectives from 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, and has been shown in community screenings around the world in an effort to start a conversation.
Lauren hopes the film screening, which is being held at Waimea College this week, will help to facilitate a conversation amongst parents.
“It’s about being able to have those conversations with each other, finding out how it is for other parents and families.”
Tickets for the event, which will take place on Thursday, 1 August 2019 at 7:00pm, can be booked online at https://www.trybook ing.co.nz/BRJ