In this eye-opening episode, Melanie and Dr. Stacey delve deep into the pervasive issue of teenage anxiety, particularly in the context of the smartphone-dominated world we live in today. Join us as we explore the multifaceted relationship between adolescents and their smartphones and how it contributes to the prevalence of anxiety among our teens. With the rise of social media, constant connectivity, and the pressure to curate a perfect online presence, teenagers are facing unprecedented levels...
Mar 27, 2024•57 min
Join host Mandee Hamann in an intimate conversation with Isaac Carroll as they delve into the complexities of growing up without screens yet still facing the influence of pornography. Isaac shares his raw and unfiltered journey, reflecting on the unexpected encounters with explicit material and the ensuing struggle with shame and vulnerability. In this episode, Isaac courageously opens up about the internal turmoil he grappled with, shedding light on the challenges of reconciling his upbringing ...
Mar 20, 2024•31 min
Join Melanie Hempe and guest Becky Grant as they tackle the challenge of introducing the Kids' Brains & Screens curriculum to resistant or sensitive kids. They share personal stories and offer tips and strategies for parents to navigate this crucial conversation effectively. In this episode: Learn how to approach the scenario where kids push back against the ScreenStrong message or show sensitivity towards screen topics. Discover the inviting and engaging nature of the Kids’ Brains and Scree...
Mar 13, 2024•1 hr 6 min
In today's episode, we delve into a critical discussion sparked by the recent Senate hearings on Big Tech. Join us as we share an enlightening segment from a media interview featuring Melanie Hempe, where she addresses the responsibility of tech giants and their influence on the mental health crisis among teens. As parents, we hold the key to guiding our children through the digital world. However, confronting the challenges posed by screen addiction demands an open mind and a commitment to unde...
Mar 06, 2024•24 min
Get ready because it's almost here! In this exciting episode, Melanie and Mandee unveil the highly anticipated print curriculum "Kids’ Brains and Screens" (KBS), slated for release on March 1, 2024. But this isn't your typical parental guidance spiel. KBS is a groundbreaking, evidence-based educational journey crafted to empower tweens and teens with hard-hitting scientific truths. It's a catalyst for transformative discussions that can revolutionize your family's relationship with screens, fost...
Feb 28, 2024•29 min
Join hosts Melanie Hempe and Mandee Hamann in an enlightening discussion as they share invaluable insights and practical tips for guiding older teens through a screen detox. In today's digital age, excessive screen time can significantly impact teenagers' mental and emotional well-being, affecting their relationships, productivity, and overall health. Drawing from their expertise in parenting and their work with ScreenStrong, Melanie and Mandee provide actionable strategies to help parents suppo...
Feb 21, 2024•51 min
Join Melanie and Marianne Carpenter, mom of four and ScreenStrong Ambassador, as they explore how screens affect children's social development and offer tips for enhancing their social maturity. Discover the key aspects of genuine social interaction, including eye contact and conflict resolution. Learn how parental guidance can mitigate the stress of online presence and prepare children for the challenges of puberty. Tune in to empower your child with essential social skills in today's interconn...
Feb 14, 2024•57 min
In this episode, host Melanie teams up with Dr. Victoria Dunckley, MD, to tackle the pressing questions parents have about ADHD and its relationship with addictive screens. Together, they answer YOUR questions and discuss how excessive screen time can exacerbate ADHD symptoms, shedding light on the intricate connections between digital overstimulation and attention challenges. However, it's not all bleak! Learn about the transformative power of a screen detox in resetting your child's brain, pav...
Feb 07, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Yes, January is almost over, but it's never too late to reset your screen rules at home and with friends! Melanie and Dr. Stacey dive into some practical tips on how to set screen rules in your home with other kids/kids' friends, how to manage teens begging for smartphones and video games, and the crucial elements that make up a healthy family. Whether you're already confident in your current screen rules or seeking guidance for a much-needed reset, this episode is a treasure trove of practical ...
Jan 31, 2024•51 min
Screen confidence becomes even more enriching when we take the time to listen to the experiences of parents who have successfully navigated the challenges ahead. Today, we are privileged to have Christina Rahm, a mother of three, graciously share her family’s transformative journey from screen chaos to a state of screen strength. Christina candidly offers a glimpse into the chaotic moments when things spiraled out of control in her family—from mealtime meltdowns to moments of disrespect that may...
Jan 24, 2024•1 hr 1 min
This Q&A session comes from ScreenStrong's full-day Kids' Brains & Screens workshop in October, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. During this session, parents were invited to ask Andrew Hempe questions about what it was like growing up without access to toxic screens and how he navigated his school-age years with that in mind. Andrew's answers are honest, compelling, and encouraging for parents who worry about denying their kids access to video games, smartphones, and social media durin...
Jan 17, 2024•41 min
Today, Mandee interviews Tom Heidrich, a ScreenStrong Ambassador from Brisbane, Australia. Tom recently completed a Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology and is registered as a fully licensed psychologist in Australia. His specialized areas encompass anxiety and depression, parenting and attachment, relationships, sexuality, and identity, as well as resilience and self-esteem. Mandee and Tom delve into the pressing issue of screen addiction among children, shedding light on how soci...
Jan 10, 2024•35 min
Thank you all for listening and engaging with the podcast this year. Here are just a few highlights from our 2023 episodes, and we look forward to continuing to see you in 2024! Happy New Year! Episodes Featured (in order of appearance): Tips for Moms: Part One (#145) We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Adults with Dr. Leonard Sax (#142) The Power of Independent Play with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#143) Carson's Story: Cyberbullying and Teen Suicide with Kristin Bride (#162) 48 Benefits Living 48...
Jan 03, 2024•28 min
"Isn’t it okay to let our guard down during the holidays? After all, everyone needs a little break—we don’t need to be so strict." Join Melanie and Dr. Stacey as they navigate the delicate balance of screen time moderation during the holiday season. While loosening our grip on strict rules may seem tempting, they delve into the nuanced discussion of whether it's truly acceptable to let our guard down during this festive time. With thoughtful insights and a touch of humor, Melanie and Dr. Stacey ...
Dec 20, 2023•46 min
Is your son really being social on his game? Yes, according to most people. Kids believe they are getting their social needs met through their video games, and parents believe that social benefits are the best reason to go against their gut and allow gaming. But what does science say about online interactions meeting the social needs of pre-teens and teens? Today, Melanie and Dr. Stacey will unpack the common myth that our boys are meeting their social needs on their game. Building strong friend...
Dec 13, 2023•48 min
In this ENCORE episode, Melanie Hempe and worldwide Coach and Educator, Sue DeCaro , discuss a variety of non-tech activities for all ages to implement both this holiday season and year round. Original Air Date: Dec 4, 2020 Support the show Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW KBS Home Edition! Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Become a Connect ...
Dec 06, 2023•55 min
For this special holiday ENCORE episode, Melanie is joined by her son Evan to discuss practical holiday gift ideas—and encourage people to skip smartphones and video games as gifts this season. Evan, a senior in high school, gives his perspective on the highs and lows of wanting a smartphone in middle & high school and shares some of his favorite childhood gifts. Grab your copy of our Non-Tech Gift Guide discussed in this episode! Evan's digital piano recommendation: Yamaha Clavinova CSP-170...
Nov 29, 2023•59 min
Happy Thanksgiving from ScreenStrong! We are thrilled to share a special episode with you this week, centered around the theme of gratitude. Tune in to hear expressions of thankfulness from fellow ScreenStrong families, reflecting on what has brought them joy this year and the invaluable support they've received on their ScreenStrong journeys. A heartfelt thank you to all who submitted their testimonials! On behalf of the entire ScreenStrong team, we extend warm wishes for a joyous Thanksgiving ...
Nov 22, 2023•57 min
Today's show will take us behind the curtain of the teen brain who is searching for a way to get around parental controls! You will learn that the idea of parental controls is a way to gain brand loyalty by the companies who want your kids glued to their devices. If you use parental controls then your child will be safe, right? Wrong. Because the job of every child is to discover work around every parental control out there! With the help of Doug Smith and Melanie, you will quickly see how many ...
Nov 15, 2023•1 hr 13 min
Today, Melanie has a very special guest—her daughter, Melissa! In this episode, we will hear how Melissa feels about growing up without social media or a smartphone. They discuss an overview of teen brain science, what makes social media irresistible for teens, the risks for teen girls, and end with some practical tips for parents. You will enjoy the candid nature of this conversation and will be inspired to make some changes in your home! Recommended Reading : "Can Your Teen Survive and Thrive ...
Nov 08, 2023•1 hr 8 min
Human Trafficking has been the world’s fastest-growing criminal enterprise for over a decade. It is estimated that over 26 million people are enslaved globally, and over 1 million, 300,000 of which are children, in the U.S. alone. An even darker statistic, the 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report conducted annually by the State Department, states that less than 1% of victims are ever identified and consequently get out alive. Human trafficking in the U.S. is not only what you see in the movies, fo...
Nov 01, 2023•1 hr 18 min
In this episode, we debunk the common misconception that preteens and teens are fully prepared for group texting. Dr. Stacey and Melanie explore the fascinating insights from developmental science that present a different perspective. Together, they identify ten prevalent issues within group texting and media sharing. As you tune in, you might be startled by the striking similarities between group texting and social media. In fact, these two seemingly distinct platforms are, in many ways, one in...
Oct 25, 2023•48 min
Join us for an enlightening episode as Evan and Andrew Hempe share their incredible journey of living 48 months as ScreenStrong Teens, completely free from smartphones and video games. They take us through their unique experiences and reveal a list of 48 surprising benefits they discovered during this bold experiment. This episode is all about the unexpected rewards and transformations that come from disconnecting in a hyper-connected world. Whether you're a parent seeking insight into managing ...
Oct 18, 2023•1 hr 27 min
Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of Roblox, sleepovers, and Snapchat with invaluable insights from our friend Officer Gomez, a School Resource Officer (SRO) and sworn Deputy of the Boise County Sheriff’s Department. Discover what parents need to know to keep their children safe and informed in today's digital age. From the challenges of online gaming to the issues of sleepovers and the nuances of Snapchat, Officer Gomez shares expert advice to help you navigate these crucial asp...
Oct 11, 2023•1 hr 11 min
Today, we are honored to welcome Susan Linn, the author of "Who's Raising the Kids," to our podcast. We love the title of her book because it encapsulates the essence of being ScreenStrong! One of the most significant, albeit often invisible, risks parents confront in childhood screen overuse is the unintentional surrender of our children to a virtual caregiver. We lose our kids daily—not physically, but emotionally, as they gravitate toward virtual families. The issue with childhood screen use ...
Oct 04, 2023•1 hr 3 min
In this episode, Melanie is joined by Brian Montgomery, a husband and father of four who courageously shares his family’s heartbreaking story. Brian’s son, Walker, tragically took his life due to the devastating effects of sextortion on Instagram. Brian’s unwavering transparency about this tragic event is an invaluable gift to us all. In this emotionally charged conversation, Brian imparts invaluable advice for parents, reflecting on what he wishes he had known sooner. By opening up about Walker...
Sep 27, 2023•57 min
We have a special treat today! Melanie was recently on The Pete Kaliner Show to discuss ScreenStrong and some key points about screen use, such as why fifteen is the worst age for a smartphone, the difference between Android and iPhones, and how screens are overprotecting our kids and teens. Tune in to this episode to better understand the history, science, and solutions behind ScreenStrong's mission to support healthy screen use for our youngest generations. Learn why ScreenStrong's approach st...
Sep 20, 2023•32 min
In today's episode, join Melanie Hempe as she reviews an often-overlooked long-term consequence of childhood gaming dependency: failure to thrive in college. Melanie shares warning signs and offers practical tips for both parents and teenagers to address and reverse these issues effectively. In addition, she explains how this bad habit can take root well before high school and why parents need to care about early gaming habits.This episode serves as a powerful call to action, reminding parents o...
Sep 13, 2023•48 min
THE STUDENT COURSE IS HERE!!! Our team is over the moon to finally present the brand new ScreenStrong Student Course. We have been working day and night for months to bring you this amazing content. Melanie is joined by Dr. Stacey who graciously reviewed the Student Course and is here to give her opinion on why it's the BEST screen education for kids to date. Visit our website for more details about the Student Course which is NOW AVAILABLE ! Support the show Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and...
Sep 06, 2023•54 min
Melanie is joined by Kristin Bride, a social media reform advocate whose son, Carson, died by suicide as a result of cyberbullying on Snapchat and other anonymous apps. It is her heart's desire to get her family's message out about the deadly dangers of what parents think are innocent apps. Kristin testified before the Senate Committee in Feb of 2023. Please call your US Senator and ask them to support KOSA for the Senate floor vote in September. Read about the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) . Ge...
Aug 30, 2023•49 min
