Influence the Choice, Screenagers

BY: Marnie Maraldo

Executive Director of Influence the Choice

Over the past two decades, technology has permeated every aspect of our lives, profoundly affecting the way we and our children live, work, and interact. The Digital Revolution, characterized by the rapid advancement and widespread adoption of digital technology, has transformed our daily routines. Whether in restaurants, movie theaters, or parks, it’s common to see people engrossed in their phones rather than engaging with those around them. Even within families, technology often creates barriers, as members may be physically present but mentally absorbed in their digital worlds, leading to a sense of isolation despite being together.

In the Issaquah School District, there has been a notable increase in the number of students reporting three or more hours of screen time on an average school day. According to the Washington State Healthy Youth Survey, this percentage has risen from 45% of 12th-graders in 2016 to 72% in 2023. Such extensive use of cell phones and other electronic devices is linked to various risks for students. The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary and Trends Report 2013-2023 (https://www.cdc.gov/yrbs/dstr/), released in August, indicates that 77% of high school students use social media multiple times a day. This high level of social media use is concerning because, as U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, highlighted in his public advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health (https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/sg-youth-mental-healthsocial-media-advisory.pdf ) earlier this year, “adolescents who spend more than 3 hours per day on social media face double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes including symptoms of depression and anxiety.”

These troubling outcomes are connected to factors such as poor sleep, body image issues, low self-esteem, online harassment, problematic usage patterns, and exposure to harmful content. Among the most alarming of these exposures is access to recreational, illicit, and potentially deadly drugs. This concern is the central theme of Screenagers: Under the Influence, the third installment in the Screenagers series by writer and director Delaney Ruston. The film addresses teen vaping, alcohol use, and other substance use and explores how the pervasive presence of technology has facilitated easier access to these substances. Influence the Choice, a local nonprofit committed to preventing and reducing youth substance use in the Issaquah School District, recently hosted a screening of the film for parents. Screenagers: Under the Influence delves into the role of social media in promoting nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, and other addictive substances. The film features teens candidly discussing their experiences with substance use and how social media has made access to these substances alarmingly easy.

However, the film also emphasizes that there are proactive steps parents can take to support their children:

Open Communication: Create an environment where your child feels safe discussing any topic, including sensitive issues like drugs and alcohol. Regularly talk about the dangers of substance use and encourage open dialogue. Make sure your child knows they can approach you without fear of judgment.

Set Clear Expectations and Consequences: Clearly define your family’s rules regarding drug and alcohol use and explain the consequences of breaking these rules. Ensure your child understands why these guidelines are in place and the potential risks associated with substance use.

Be Involved in Their Lives: Stay actively engaged in your child’s daily activities. Know their friends, where they are, and what they’re doing. Encourage participation in positive, healthy activities that serve as alternatives to substance use.

• Model Healthy Behavior: Demonstrate responsible behavior when it comes to alcohol and medications in your own life. Your actions set a powerful example, so be mindful of the behavior and attitudes you display toward substances.

• Educate and Empower: Provide your child with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions. Educate them about the risks of drug and alcohol use and empower them with strategies to resist peer pressure, such as rehearsing how to say "no" in different situations.

By adopting these strategies, parents can play a critical role in guiding their children toward healthy, substance-free lives. The film Screenagers: Under the Influence not only sheds light on the growing challenges of substance use in the digital age but also offers a path forward for families seeking to navigate these issues together. Through informed and engaged parenting, we can help our children thrive in a world increasingly dominated by technology.

Influence the Choice is a nonprofit, community-based, grassroots organization dedicated to preventing youth substance use and promoting the mental, physical, and social wellness of our youth in the Issaquah School District. (www.influencethechoice.org)