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Join Delaney Ruston, MD, a leading authority on parenting in the digital age and the filmmaker of the award-winning Screenagers movies, as she explores strategies for raising screen-wise and tech-balanced youth. Through interviews with researchers, thought leaders, and young people themselves, The Screenagers Podcast delivers the latest in science along with practical tips and important insights that parents will want to share with their kids and teens.
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  2. Talking To Your Boys: Masculinity, Gaming, and Their Online Lives

Talking To Your Boys: Masculinity, Gaming, and Their Online Lives

Sep 22, 2025

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

Christopher Pepper

Joanna Schroeder

 

Book 

Talk To Your Boys: 16 Conversations to Help Tweens and Teens Grow Into Confident, Caring Young Men, by Christopher Pepper and Joanna Schroeder

 

Time Code

00:00 Introduction to Parenting in the Screen Age

00:19 Meet the Authors: Christopher Pepper and Joanna Schroeder

00:49 Connecting with Sons Through Technology

02:02 The Importance of Conversations About Masculinity

05:17 Understanding Boys' Online Behavior

11:05 Addressing Social Cruelty and Bullying

23:26 Modeling Positive Behavior for Boys

26:23 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview