ROCKPORT — Ashwood Waldorf School is hosting a new documentary film at the Rockport Opera House Thursday, April 14, at 5 p.m. The film showing is free, and everyone is warmly invited. The film lasts about one hour.

The film, called "Screenagers," seeks to depict the impact of our children's increased connection to digital screens. It may leave many adults re-evaluating their parenting tactics. While there is no turning back on the digital age, the filmmakers hope the project can serve as a jumping-off point for much-needed conversation.

"Screenagers" is a personal look at how families are coping with kids and screen time and how being connected to devices is affecting relationships and even child development. The film was directed by Delaney Ruston, a Seattle filmmaker, and physician who uses her own experience with her children as the central storyline.

"Screenagers" juxtaposes Ruston's story with the experiences of other families as well as the insights of psychologists, brain scientists and authors. Beyond just the amount of time spent staring at devices, the film looks at a number of hot-button areas where screens come into play nowadays: phones in schools; violence in video games; the impact of social media on self-esteem.

It's all set against a very modern backdrop of boys and girls, often in the company of one another, with heads down, staring at phones and tablets and computers and televisions.

We encourage parents, teachers, and high-school and college-age students to attend!