Monday, May 09, 2016

TEENAGERS - The Screen-Time Drug

"The drug-like effect of screen time on the teenage brain" PBS NewsHour 5/4/2016

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  Teenagers today have never known a world without the internet, which may be why half of all adolescents say they’re addicted to their digital devices.  In her new documentary “Screenagers,” Dr. Delaney Ruston explores why young people are so drawn to social media and video games and what effect it’s having on their brains.  Ruston joins William Brangham to share what she’s learned.

JUDY WOODRUFF (NewsHour):  A new report looks at how digital devices are taking a toll on kids and families.

The report issued yesterday by Common Sense Media found half of all young people feel they are addicted to their devices.  Almost 60 percent of adults think their kids are addicted too.  And a third of parents and teens say that they argue daily about screen time.

William Brangham is back with our look.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM (NewsHour):  The documentary is called “Screenagers,” and, in it, Dr. Delaney Ruston explores the complex relationship teenagers have with their screens, both the pleasures they take in sharing their lives online with their friends, as well as the darker side, those who lose control of their digital habits, and spiral into damaging behavior.

WOMAN:  When I went to hug him, I could feel the bones in his back.  And that was scary.


WILLIAM BRANGHAM:  The film also looks at the latest research about the impact all this screen time has on the brains of young people.

SHERRY TURKLE, Massachusetts Institute of Technology:  You have a brain that is wired for what in psychology is called seeking behavior, the kind of thing that a Google search gives you, something new, something stimulating, something different.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM:  Throughout the film, Ruston also turns the camera on herself, exploring the real and all-too-common conflicts that flare up as she and her family haggle over screen time.

DR. DELANEY RUSTON, Filmmaker, “Screenagers”:  What should the rules be? Because we don’t have any right now.

TESSA RUSTON:  I think the rules should be there is no rule.  It’s not like I’m on it 24/7.

DR. DELANEY RUSTON:  When you have it, you’re always checking it.  And I — don’t you think that…

TESSA RUSTON:  Well, if you put this in front of me, yes, I will go on it, and, yes, I can find something to do on it.

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