Screenagers Movie About Teens Behind Screens
I recently saw the movie Screenagers – Growing Up In The Digital Age. This documentary analyzes the behavior of teens behind screens, specifically addressing addiction, attention span, and the appeal of social networks. As a parent, I found value in the movie’s ability to show how extreme situations can sometimes happen in regular families. By shining a spotlight on screentime addiction, viewers gain a frame of reference for evaluating their own habits.
Three Real Life Situations That Catch Your Attention
There are three storylines in Screenagers that caught my attention most. One was about a college freshman who avoided academic pressure by constantly playing video games, eventually dropping out of college. Another was about young teenagers who are obsessed with posting selfies and generating likes, to the point where they discuss fake likes. Then there was a grandmother whose efforts to intervene in her grandson’s gaming resulted in angst and friction for both of them.
These extremes all generated from well intentioned families who got caught in out of control situations. By sharing these stories, other parents have context to gauge where their own families fall in the range of extremities.
Benefits of After School Activities
I also noticed when the movie talked about after school activities as a counterbalance to screen time. As a parent I think it’s a constant effort to get the right balance between downtime and scheduled activities. Hearing about the benefits of scheduled activities was somewhat refreshing after noticing so much backlash over the years about over scheduled kids.
Find a Screening Near You
To view a trailer or find a screening of Screenagers, visit the ScreenagersMovie.com website. Whether you have teenagers or just toddlers, understanding the pros and cons of digital media and its progression in our daily lives can be increasingly helpful to parents.
Lorraine Akemann | Cofounder and Editor | Moms With Apps
Photo Credit Flickr [Garry Knight]
