Press Pause

Guest: Dr. John Marschhausen, Superintendent, Dublin City Schools

In this kickoff episode, Dr. John Marschhausen shares why Dublin City Schools is launching the Press Pause campaign, and why this work matters now more than ever. From online threats and cyberbullying to social media challenges that compromise safety and well-being, Dr. Marschhausen discusses how digital behaviors are affecting students both in and out of school — and how families play a critical role in the solution.

Resources:

• The Challenge of Authenticity on Social Media, blog post by Dr. John Marschhausen
• Teens, Social Media, and Mental Health, Pew Research Center
• How Teens and Parents Approach Screen Time, Pew Research Center
• Why It's Harder Being a Teen Today, Pew Research Center

Guest: Kevin Patton, DCS Pathways Counselor

Too much phone use at night doesn’t just delay bedtime — it disrupts sleep quality and can lead to tired, unfocused, and emotionally drained students. Kevin shares what he’s seeing among teens today and why good sleep hygiene starts with putting the phone down.

Resources:

• There's a setting for that! Set Sleep or Focus Mode on your child’s phone - Apple | Android
• How Teenage Phone Use is Affecting Their Sleep, Rochester Regional Health
• How Phones Steal Your Zzz's, blog post by Cassie Dietrich

• TED Talk: Sleep is your superpower with Dr. Matt Walker

• Buy a basic alarm clock (Amazon link)

• Create a family charging station at night

Guest: Amanda Levelle, NCH Behavioral Health

Pressure to Be Perfect
Filtered photos. Curated lives. Constant comparisons. Amanda Levelle breaks down how social media shapes self-esteem—especially in teens—and why the pursuit of perfection online can lead to real-world anxiety, loneliness, and self-doubt.

Topics covered:

• How social media fuels comparison and distorts reality

• The impact of “likes,” comments, and validation-seeking behavior

• Connections between screen time, self-worth, and mental health

• What parents can do to help kids develop healthier online habits

Guest: Dr. Dawn Anderson-Butcher, The Ohio State University College of Social Work

Always On, Always Anxious
What’s the cost of constant connection? Dr. Dawn Anderson-Butcher explores the growing body of research linking excessive screen time to rising levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness in kids and teens. Drawing on national data and real-world experience, she unpacks what this means for brain development and what parents can do to help.

Topics covered:

• The connection between screen time and internalizing problems

• How digital habits impact anxiety, depression, and social isolation

• Practical steps families can take to create healthier tech boundaries

Guest: Margaret Robinson, Gifted Intervention Specialist

When every quiet moment is filled with a screen, kids lose the chance to explore, imagine, and create. Margaret explains why boredom is actually a developmental gift, and how unplugged time helps kids build creativity, focus, and problem-solving skills.

Topics covered:

• Why boredom is important

• The impact of screens on attention and imagination

• Ideas for screen-free play and creativity

Guest: Whitney Shelton, School Counselor

Cyberbullying. Social pressure. Group chats that never stop. Whitney breaks down what digital drama looks like today, and how parents can support their kids in navigating online conflict with confidence and care.

Topics covered:

• Cyberbullying and its emotional impact

• How digital drama differs from in-person conflict

• Strategies for building resilience and setting boundaries