Bale Boone Symposium on Impact of Connectivity Shows 'Screenagers'
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 7, 2017) —The 2016-17 Bale Boone Symposium "Paying Attention and the Way We Live Now" will wrap up this week with a showing of the documentary "Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age," which depicts families' struggles with teens over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. A discussion with the filmmaker, Dr. Delaney Ruston, will follow. The free public screening will begin 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, in William T. Young Library's UK Athletics Auditorium.
Physician and filmmaker Dr. Delaney Ruston decided to make "Screenagers," when she found herself constantly struggling with her two kids about screen time. Ruston felt guilty and confused, not sure what limits were best, especially around mobile phones, social media, gaming, and how to monitor online homework. Hearing repeatedly how other parents were equally overwhelmed, she realized this is one of the biggest, unexplored parenting issues of our time.
In conjunction with personal touches and insights, "Screenagers" provides testimonies of scientific experts. These experts and their case studies explore the impact of screen culture on our cognitive faculties and social behaviors.
"I was stunned by the story of a young man whose gaming addiction forced him to drop out of college and enter rehab treatment," said Leon Sachs, associate professor of French and faculty member of Lewis Honors College. "Equally memorable is the impact of screen culture on girls and their fascination with body image and the projection of their sexuality."
Through her company, MyDoc Productions, Ruston has made such award-winning feature documentaries as "Unlisted: A Story of Schizophrenia," about her father, and "Hidden Pictures," about global mental health, which was filmed in China, India, France, South Africa and the U.S.
Programming for the Bale Boone Symposium "Paying Attention and the Way We Live Now" explores the impact of connectivity on society. Presented by Gaines Center for the Humanities, this year's symposium is co-sponsored by Lewis Honors College, UK Art Museum and UK College of Design. The symposium is also a recipient of support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Historically, the Bale Boone Symposium brings together the citizens of Lexington, Gaines Fellows and other members of the university community to explore themes and genres in the arts and humanities.
For more information on the screening of "Screenagers," contact the Gaines Center at 859-257-1537.
