A panel discussion — featuring, from left to right, moderator, Director of Wellness Dot Pearl, and panelists, Pediatric Specialist Monika Page, Civics Teacher Sean Jones, Principal Michelle Kreuzer and Licensed Psychologist Cindy Ballou — followed the screening. (Photo Courtesy King Philip Regional School District)
NORFOLK — Superintendent Dr. Rich Drolet, Principal Michelle Kreuzer and Director of Wellness Dot Pearl are pleased to share that a successful community screening of the film “Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age” was held on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
A panel discussion — moderated by Pearl, the Director of Wellness for King Philip, Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham Schools, and including panelists King Philip Regional Middle School (KPRMS) Principal Kreuzer, KPRMS Grade 8 Civics Teacher Sean Jones, Dr. Monika Page of Pediatric Specialists in Foxborough/Wrentham, and Dr. Cindy Ballou, a Licensed Psychologist with Kuehnel Psychological Services of Franklin — followed the screening.
The event was sponsored by the Healthy KP Substance Use Prevention Coalition in conjunction with KPRMS.
“Technology isn’t going away,” said Principal Kreuzer. “This event was an important step in partnering with parents to share practical strategies for helping our students use technology intentionally and mindfully. We are proud to have facilitated this conversation for our community.”
“Screenagers” provides science-backed information and insights from experts to better understand not only the impact of the digital world on children, but also ways to empower them to thrive by using technology in a healthy, balanced way.
Created by physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston, the documentary focuses on the issues that kids, parents and educators deal with related to screen time and use of electronic devices, including social media pressure, early exposure and what research says about healthy screen time, managing device use and monitoring video gameplay. The film has been updated for 2025 with the latest science, research and expert insights.
Panelists referred to data compiled from the 2023 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey, which examined digital media use among students in grades 7 through 12.
According to the survey results, more than half of middle and high school students reported frequent smartphone use (more than three hours a day). That frequent usage, as referenced in the film, has been linked to negative consequences on school performance and physical health, including reports of waning attention spans in school and sleep deprivation.
The data also linked social media use to an increase in anxiety symptoms in middle-schoolers (25% of frequent users reported symptoms of anxiety, compared to 17% of less frequent users) and depressive symptoms in high schoolers (25% of frequent users, compared to 16% of non-frequent users).
The panelists and the filmmakers shared strategies to help parents reduce negative effects and strengthen family connections.
“Technology has many positive uses; however, often the addictive nature of screens has negative impacts on physical and mental health,” said Director Pearl. “But how do you help your child reduce screen time? What are the best strategies available? That’s the goal of events like this: to help parents support and engage their children in purposeful, balanced use of devices and screen time that supports physical, mental and emotional health.”
For more information about the documentary, go to the Screenagers website at www.screenagersmovie.com.
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King Philip Regional Middle School hosted a successful community screening of the film “Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age” was held on Wednesday, Oct. 15. (Photo Courtesy King Philip Regional School District)
The screening and subsequent panel discussion sparked a community conversation about screentime. (Photo Courtesy King Philip Regional School District)
The event was sponsored by the Healthy KP Substance Use Prevention Coalition in conjunction with King Philip Regional Middle School. (Photo Courtesy King Philip Regional School District)
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