Eating Disorders and Social Media: Isabelle’s Story
Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast
Release Date: 07/07/2025
What 3 Adults Learned Trying to Change Their Own Phone Habits
Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast
Many parents feel hypocritical or guilty about their own phone or tech use when their kids or teens are around. In this episode, Dr. Ruston checks in with three parents who shared those feelings and took on the One Small Change Challenge to make a change in their own tech use. Hear from them about their successes and challenges during their two-week experiment. Even for listeners who missed the previous two episodes, this installment stands alone and offers insights on how adults can model for their children the reasons and approaches behind making positive changes to their tech...
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No More Phones in the Bedroom: One Mom’s Challenge
Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast
In our last episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston introduced the One Small Change Challenge and the DARTS model (Doable, Arrange for success, Reasons, Treats, Support) as she coached two moms on creating strategies to reach their phone-related small change targets. This week, she talks with another mom, a certified parent coach who wants to stop using her phone before bed and keep it in her room overnight. You’ll hear the specific strategies Lisa commits to. In the next episode, you’ll find out how it worked out for her and for the other moms from the previous episode. Listeners are encouraged to...
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Why Do I Keep Reaching for My Phone? Two Moms Try to Change
Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast
Do you ever catch yourself reaching for your phone when you don’t really need or want to, and wonder what that shows your kids? In this episode, Screenagers creator Dr. Delaney Ruston talks with two moms who decide it’s time to make a change. They talk about the habits they want to shift and take on the One Small Change Challenge using a model called DARTS: Doable, Arrange for success, Reasons, Treats, and Support. Follow along as Delaney walks Tory and Hillary through setting their own goals, and try using this model to set yours too. We’d love to hear if you do, so send a note to ....
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From Sports Betting to Porn: Parental Conversations Boys Need
Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast
What kind of partner do you want to be someday? Do you think privacy is important in a relationship? What do you think pornography leaves out about real relationships? These are just a few of the unusual yet important questions boys are rarely asked. In this episode, Dr. Delaney Ruston continues her conversation with educator Christopher Pepper and journalist Joanna Schroeder, co-authors of the new book Talk To Your Boys. Together, they discuss how to help boys navigate gaming, romantic relationships, and pornography. They explore online sports betting (“the house always wins”), share ways...
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Talking To Your Boys: Masculinity, Gaming, and Their Online Lives
Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast
How are today’s boys absorbing messages about masculinity from violent media and games? How early does this begin, and what happens when gaming chats turn cruel or hostile? Dr. Ruston talks with author-educator Christopher Pepper and journalist Joanna Schroeder, co-authors of the recently released book, Talk To Your Boys. They share practical “interrupter” tools and relatable stories that help parents support boys as they encounter conflict through gaming, navigate their online lives, and grow into confident, caring young men. Featured Experts Book , by...
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How to Fight Back Against the Youth Sleep Crisis
Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast
Host Dr. Ruston introduces Screenagers’ recently launched Screen-Free Sleep campaign, focused on helping parents keep devices out of kids’ bedrooms for sleep time. Ruston explains the campaign’s goals, the science behind it, and how you can participate in making screen-free sleep the norm in your child’s school and community. This includes resources like iSleep Pro kits and a fun flash mob dance. She also offers practical solutions to some of the common challenges parents face when creating tech-free sleep for their kids and tweens. It all wraps up with lively "Man on the...
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Acing Screen Time Conflicts with Lisa Damour (Encore)
Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast
Parenting kids has always had challenges, but now, in the tech revolution, conflicts are at a new level. The good news is that research shows that conflicts done well have all sorts of benefits for youth. But how do we ensure healthier conflicts? Dr. Ruston talks with Lisa Damour, Ph.D., psychologist and author of three New York Times best-selling books about adolescents, including “The Emotional Lives of Teenagers.” The episode explores teen psychology, common screen time arguments, and several approaches to having healthier conflicts. The episode is intended for adult and youth...
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New Science On Sleep, Our Kids, And What To Do (Encore)
Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast
As back-to-school season begins, and kids face mounting stress both online and offline, this episode explores how healthy sleep can support their well-being. Hear from Dr. Judy Owens, Director of Sleep Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital and professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. Discover key brain research with Adriana Galván, a UCLA neuroscientist, and hear insights from parents and a teen. Take away practical strategies to help your child get the brain-nourishing sleep they need now and into the future. Featured Experts Resources
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How Students Are Really Using AI & ChatGPT
Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast
How are students really using ChatGPT and other AI tools for school work? What do they see as acceptable? And where do they draw the line? What happens when AI is used for creative projects, and at what cost? In this episode of Parenting in the Screen Age, Delaney Ruston, MD, explores the impact of AI tools like ChatGPT on student learning and academic integrity. She shares interviews with college students who talk candidly about using AI for academic purposes, what they will and won’t do, and how they navigate ethical gray areas. One student recounts being accused of cheating with AI, and...
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Social Media’s Influence on Eating Disorders: Insights from Dr. G
Parenting in the Screen Age - The Screenagers Podcast
What role does social media play in disordered eating and eating disorders? And how can parents spot early warning signs and have meaningful conversations about these tough topics? In this episode, host Dr. Ruston talks with Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani, a physician specializing in eating disorders for nearly two decades. Dr. Gaudiani explains the difference between disordered eating and clinical eating disorders and how social media can fuel both. She shares concrete strategies to help parents talk with their teens, recognize early signs, and prevent problems. This episode builds on our...
info_outlineWe often hear about social media’s impact on body image, but what can we learn from someone who’s lived it firsthand, developing a serious exercise and eating disorder?
Dr. Delaney Ruston sits down with Isabelle, a teen who bravely shares her journey from body dysmorphia to a severe eating disorder, struggles made worse by the constant stream of triggering content on platforms like TikTok.
Isabelle opens up about how social media shaped her self-perception and how therapy, hospitalization, and strong family support helped her begin to heal.
With candid insights from Isabelle and her parents, this episode explores the real risks of social media use and sets the stage for a follow-up conversation with a leading eating disorder expert.
This episode is intended for adult and teen audiences but please note it includes discussion of eating disorders, body image, and related experiences, so please listen with care.
If you or someone you love is affected by any of the issues we talk about today, you’ll find a list of support resources below.
Resources:
National Alliance for Eating Disorders (“The Alliance”)
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Website: allianceforeatingdisorders.com
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Free helpline: 866‑662‑1235 (Mon–Fri, 9am–7pm ET)
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Offers: Personalized support and referrals. Also operates https://www.findEDhelp.com, a free directory of eating disorder treatment centers and providers.
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
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Website: nationaleatingdisorders.org
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Offers: Free screening tools, treatment locators, support group listings, and educational materials.
Crisis Text Line
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Website: crisistextline.org
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Text “HOME” to 741‑741 to chat with a trained crisis counselor, or use the live chat at the website
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Offers: 24/7 mental health support, resources, and crisis intervention.
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth)
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Website: thetrevorproject.org
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Text “START” to 678‑678 to connect with a crisis counselor
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Offers: 24/7 crisis support, online chat, and mental health resources tailored to LGBTQ+ youth.
Time Codes:
00:00 Introduction to Parenting in the Screen Age
00:19 The Impact of Media on Teen Body Image
00:46 Influencers and the Promotion of Eating Disorders
02:21 Isabel's Journey with an Eating Disorder
03:26 The Role of Social Media in Isabel's Struggle
05:11 Family Perspectives on Isabel's Experience
11:48 The Turning Point: Seeking Treatment
12:55 Life After Treatment: Recovery and Reflections
17:08 Advice for Parents and Teens
20:40 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes