Quaker Cinema to host free showing of 'Screenagers'
The Tuscarawas County Literacy Coalition is sponsoring a free community showing of the documentary film, "Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age," at Quaker Cinema in New Philadelphia.
The Tuscarawas County Literacy Coalition is sponsoring a free community showing of the documentary film, "Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age," at Quaker Cinema in New Philadelphia on Monday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. as part of the 2019 One Book, One Community project.
"Screenagers" has been screened more than 8,000 times to 4 million people in more than 70 countries around the world. With multiple screenings happening daily in communities across the globe, it is the first feature documentary to explore the impact of screen technology on kids and offer parents and families proven solutions that work. What started out as a personal story for one has grown into a national movement, helping millions of teens and their families navigate growing up in a world with instant access to screens. The film highlights the following facts:
—Kids spend on average 6.5 hours a day on screens, and that doesn’t include classroom or homework screen time.
—Boys spend on average the equivalent of 1.5 days on video games every week.
—Some recent studies show screen time increases dopamine production and causes behavior that mimics addiction.
Physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston decided to make "Screenagers" when she found herself constantly struggling with her two kids about screen time. Ruston felt guilty and confused, not sure what limits were best, especially around mobile phones, social media, gaming and how to monitor online homework. Hearing repeatedly how other parents were equally overwhelmed, she realized this is one of the biggest unexplored parenting issues of the time.
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. Viewers meet Hannah, a 14-year-old victim of social media bullying who struggled to hide her social media use from her mom, and Andrew, whose love of video games turned into an addiction, taking him from earning straight A’s to flunking out of college.
Interwoven into these stories are cutting-edge science and insights from thought leaders Peggy Orenstein, Sherry Turkle and Simon Sinek, as well as 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.
“We hope to bring the community together to start a conversation about how screen time impacts their lives and what they can do about it,” said Jim Gill, One Book, One Community planning chair. “Parents are encouraged to bring their kids to the movie and to learn more about the 2019 One Book, One Community project, which focuses on Catherine Price’s book, 'How to Break Up With Your Phone.'”
Donations will be accepted at the door to help offset the cost to bring "Screenagers" to Tuscarawas County.
More information on "Screenagers" can be found at www.screenagersmovie.com. For more information about the 2019 One Book, One Community project or the "Screenagers" movie night, call Gill at 330-343-6123.
Quaker Cinema is located at 158 W. High Ave. in New Philadelphia.