‘Screenagers’: Office on Youth to present documentary on youth addictions

“Screenagers Under the Influence” is a three-part documentary series on youth addictions that the Central Shenandoah Valley Office on Youth will present part one of at The Wayne Theatre on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

“This will be our first community screening,” Grace Deshong, the Office on Youth‘s Division Supervisor, said.

With the award of a one-year grant, the organization was able to purchase a three-year licensure of the documentary, which will also be used in middle school preparatory curriculum. After the organization sees the reception that part one receives on Tuesday, viewing of parts two and three will be scheduled.

“We were starting to see — the trends and dangers not only of online addiction, but other addictions — were escalating,” Deshong said of the reason why the documentary was purchased and is important for the community to see.

The addictions were escalating faster than the Office on Youth and other community organizations could find solutions to stop them.

In part one, parents, teenagers and community members will see real-life scenarios of addiction to vaping, online use and alcohol. The stories in the documentary are not portrayed by actors, but actual teenagers and their families who experienced addiction. Documentary creator Dr. Delaney Ruston made the series after a conversation with her daughter.

“We’re trying to create that spark,” Deshong said of creating change in a digital age and stopping addiction among youth.

The documentary explains how addiction affects the development of young brains.

“This is great for the community, but also great for our preparatory program,” Deshong said.

Students in 6th grade and older, as well as community members, parents and family are welcome. Children ages 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is free to the one hour and 15-minute-long documentary.

A reception will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. followed by viewing of the documentary at 7 p.m. and then a panel discussion of the documentary.

The Wayne Theatre is at 521 W. Main Str., Waynesboro.