Image courtesy Screenagers Movies Facebook

A new documentary, funded by the Clay Counts Coalition to be shown to Garfield Elementary School students, is shining a spotlight on how technology affects younger children’s lives and offering practical ideas for families and educators to support healthy habits in the digital age.

Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition focuses on the challenges that elementary school–aged children face today, including early exposure to online content, pressures from social media, distractions from devices in classrooms, excessive video game use and sleep problems related to screen time.

The film was created by physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston, who uses personal stories, including her own experiences, and expert insights to explore how screens influence children’s development. Interviews with researchers, psychologists and child development specialists are woven together with real-world scenes from families and schools.

At about 56 minutes for the full version, with a shorter 26-minute classroom edition available, the documentary aims to help parents and educators start conversations and find solutions for setting boundaries around technology.

The film will be shown at Garfield Elementary School on March 10.