In this episode, Melanie and Dr. Stacey explore how teachers and parents can collaborate to create a phone-free school environment. Teachers can support the policy by using research-backed education, setting an example with their own phone use, and staying alert to signs of phone overuse, like distracted behavior and declining grades. Parents play a crucial role by supporting the school’s efforts, limiting contact with kids during school hours, and encouraging phone-free days. For parents wantin...
Oct 30, 2024•45 min
Are you considering a smartphone-free childhood for your teens? In a world where teens seem inseparable from their phones, it's refreshing to hear from those who have taken a different path. Andrew Hempe and Lydia Hamann share insights on making friends without social media, engaging activities that replace endless scrolling, thriving while being different from the crowd, and why they don’t harbor resentment toward their parents for opting out of smartphones. This Show is perfect for your tweens...
Oct 23, 2024•1 hr 10 min
In this episode, host Melanie Hempe is joined by her son, Andrew, who shares his personal insights on screen habits and addiction. Together, they dispel the myth that setting boundaries around screen time leads to rebellion. Instead, Andrew explains how boundaries are an act of love that helps kids thrive. They focus on three main ideas: Boundaries = Love : Kids do better with limits, especially when it comes to addictive activities like video gaming and social media. Habit Science : The habits ...
Oct 16, 2024•38 min
In this episode, host Melanie Hempe sits down with psychiatrist and author, Dr. Anna Lembke, to dive deep into the science behind screen addiction and its impact on teen brains. Using Melanie’s personal experience with her son Adam as a starting point, they explore dopamine's role in shaping behavior, particularly in a teen's developing brain. Dr. Lembke breaks down what every parent needs to know about dopamine—the brain’s reward chemical—and how screen activities can hijack this system in ways...
Oct 09, 2024•1 hr
In this episode of the ScreenStrong Families podcast, host Melanie Hempe sits down with Jennifer, a mother who chose a unique approach to parenting in the digital age. Jennifer shares her story of raising several children thriving socially and academically without the constant presence of smartphones and social media. Contrary to the belief that children without devices will struggle socially, Jennifer's kids are confident, active, and leaders in their extracurriculars, with her oldest daughter ...
Oct 02, 2024•50 min
In this episode, Melanie speaks with Dr. Kim Le, a child and adolescent psychiatrist based in Adelaide, Australia. He completed his psychiatry training in New South Wales and in 2015, Dr. Le received a federal grant to collaborate with an Internet Gaming Addiction Clinic for teenagers in Singapore. He has a special interest in “Gaming Disorder," which was recognized by the World Health Organization in 2018 as a mental health disorder. Dr. Le shares his professional journey that led to his intere...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr 8 min
In today's episode, Melanie tackles common misconceptions about screen use for children and teens. She emphasizes the importance of setting healthy boundaries to protect our children and shares practical strategies for limiting screen time. Melanie breaks down the warning signs of screen addiction and reveals the hidden dangers of persuasive design, showing how tech is intentionally designed to capture young minds. Melanie also discusses how fostering offline activities can help create a healthi...
Sep 18, 2024•53 min
In today’s episode, we dive into a hot topic on the minds of many parents: “Why have a phone-free school?” We’re joined by the brilliant Dr. Adriana Stacey to unpack six key mental health reasons behind the need for phone-free schools. We explore the alarming stats on how smartphones impact teenagers' mental health, academic performance, and social development. From skyrocketing rates of anxiety and depression to increased loneliness and bullying, the evidence is clear—phones do not belong in sc...
Sep 11, 2024•58 min
Tune in for a powerful live presentation with Melanie and her son Andrew, as they delve into the science of screen overuse and offer actionable solutions for reclaiming your children from the grip of digital addiction. In this insightful session, Melanie shares the vital knowledge she wishes she had before her eldest child struggled with screen addiction. Together, they’ll explore the science behind childhood screen addiction, including critical facts about healthy brain development, the dopamin...
Sep 04, 2024•46 min
In this enlightening episode, host Mandee Hamann sits down with learning specialist Jamie Seibert ( Enrichment Therapy and Learning Center ) to explore the essential strategies for teaching and developing executive function skills in children and teens. Jamie, with years of experience working with young learners, shares her top tips for fostering skills like organization, time management, and self-regulation—crucial for academic success and personal growth. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or ...
Aug 28, 2024•37 min
In this episode, Melanie sits down with Teralea Moore—a seasoned college math professor with over 20 years of teaching experience across high school, community college, and private college settings. Teralea brings her wealth of knowledge to the conversation, sharing her top 10 tips for thriving in the classroom. Whether you're navigating elementary school, high school, or college, these insights will help students, parents, and educators alike achieve success at every educational level. Support ...
Aug 21, 2024•55 min
This interview is shared with permission from Dave Anderson and the Tech Seeking Human Podcast . In this compelling interview from the Tech Seeking Human Podcast , Melanie shares her deeply personal journey of navigating her oldest son’s video game addiction and the profound impact it had on his life. The conversation also explores widespread misconceptions about teenage social media use, underscores the critical need for setting boundaries, and highlights the advantages of fostering offline act...
Aug 14, 2024•52 min
Join us as host Andrew Hempe sits down with Uly Junker, a fellow ScreenStrong Teen who made the bold decision to ditch his smartphone. In this compelling episode, Uly shares his journey of breaking free from the grip of his device, detailing his thought process before and after the change. He highlights the pros and cons of life without a smartphone and offers valuable advice for teens considering a similar path. Andrew, who has grown up without a smartphone, adds his own insights into the benef...
Aug 07, 2024•1 hr 1 min
CONTENT WARNING: Discussions around pornography and sexual material. Not suitable for anyone under 18 without parental approval. One of the hardest challenges in parenting today is managing exposure to pornography. At ScreenStrong, we take this issue very seriously and understand that for many parents, this is a major reason for removing toxic screen platforms. We include pornography on our list of the three toxic screens we guard against, alongside video games and social media. In this episode,...
Jul 31, 2024•1 hr 2 min
In this episode, we’re diving into the world of ScreenStrong travel! Join Mandee Hamann as she interviews ScreenStrong Ambassador, Heather Franklin, about her recent screen-free road trip. Heather has compiled a list of 30 exciting and engaging activities to keep everyone entertained and make your journey unforgettable. Whether it’s playing classic car games, exploring nature, or sparking meaningful conversations, there’s something for everyone. For parents planning a road trip, we've got some h...
Jul 24, 2024•29 min
Are you considering a smartphone-free childhood for your teens? In a world where teens seem inseparable from their phones, it's refreshing to hear from those who have taken a different path. Evan Hempe and Hallie Kate Oldham answer your questions and share insights on making friends without social media, engaging activities that replace endless scrolling, thriving while being different from the crowd, and why they don’t harbor resentment toward their parents for opting out of smartphones. This p...
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr 2 min
In this episode, Melanie is joined by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman , public speaker and author of "Assassination Generation," to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing families today: the division between parents when it comes to video games. Often, dads see no harm in playing or letting their kids play, but this can lead to significant issues. Together, they explore the detrimental effects and bad habits that modern games can create, discussing how true play is free from aggression and violence,...
Jul 10, 2024•50 min
Don’t let boredom rule this summer, and instead, have summer fun without the screens! Join this enlightening conversation with Mary Thorne and Melanie as they explore the magic of replacing screen time with engaging activities. Discover how this shift can not only transform your home but also inspire your kids to unleash their creativity and innovation. With practical tips and inspiring stories, this episode promises to make your summer screen-free and full of fun. Tune in to learn how to make t...
Jul 03, 2024•39 min
In this episode, Melanie and Dr. Stacey dive into the recent article in the New York Times, "Surgeon General Calls for Health Warnings on Social Media for Younger Users." Join us as we explore the implications of this groundbreaking recommendation and why it marks a significant stride toward safeguarding our children and teens online. Melanie and Dr. Stacey break down the key points of the Surgeon General's call, discussing how these proposed health warnings can play a crucial role in mitigating...
Jun 26, 2024•39 min
Join us for an insightful discussion led by teens who have experienced the benefits of a smartphone-free upbringing. In this episode, these inspiring young voices share their personal stories, highlighting the unique advantages of living without the constant buzz of notifications. From deeper connections with family and friends to improved focus and creativity, discover how a smartphone-free childhood has shaped their lives in positive ways. Our teen guests will also answer your burning question...
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Today, we're diving into some of the most frequently asked questions from our amazing listeners. Our very own Amie Robillard, who manages all your emails and comments, joins Melanie to address your queries and provide insights straight from the field. We've been receiving a ton of questions, and we thought it was high time we dedicated an episode to answering them. So sit back, relax, and join us as we get to the heart of your questions. And remember, we’re planning to make this a regular featur...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr
As summer approaches and routines shift, it's a perfect time to revisit some common screen time mistakes that parents might overlook, especially for homeschooling families navigating year-round challenges. In this episode, we highlight five critical yet easily missed mistakes related to children's screen use and provide practical tips to avoid them. Mistake #1: Using Screen Time as a Reward Mistake #2: Easy Access to Screens Mistake #3: Misunderstanding Content and Time Spent Mistake #4: Relying...
Jun 05, 2024•47 min
Join Dr. Stacey and Melanie as they discuss a new study that suggests mental disorders could potentially spread within adolescent peer groups. In this episode, they unravel findings from a study titled: Transmission of Mental Disorders in Adolescent Peer Networks , published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Psychiatry, which sheds light on the concerning implications for teen mental health. The study, which involved over 700,000 participants, reveals a dose-response asso...
May 29, 2024•42 min
In today’s show, Melanie is speaking with Becky Grant, a ScreenStrong parent and teacher, about the topic of smartphones in the classroom. They discuss getting your teacher and school administrators on board with your decision not to give your child a smartphone during the school day. They share tips for speaking with educators and ideas for a sample letter to send to your school before summer! Please refer to a copy of the letter they are speaking about in our Be ScreenStrong Substack this week...
May 22, 2024•53 min
Today, Melanie is joined by Joe Clement, a teacher, parent of three, and co-author of Screen Schooled with Matt Miles. Joe is in his 28th year of teaching and brings a unique perspective as he has witnessed the change technology has brought into both the classroom and the home environment. Melanie and Joe discuss the mental health risk factors that are influenced by the toxic use of screens that result in loss of empathy, loss of awareness of facial/social cues, increased stress, and lack of dev...
May 15, 2024•58 min
Join Melanie Hempe and Dr. Victoria Dunckley, author of Reset Your Child's Brain , as they delve into the pervasive issue of Electronic Screen Syndrome (ESS) and its impact on children's health and well-being. From sleep disturbances to mood swings, ESS encompasses a range of symptoms triggered by excessive screen time, affecting millions of kids worldwide. Drawing from her extensive research and clinical experience, Dr. Dunckley sheds light on the neurological effects of screen exposure. Discov...
May 08, 2024•41 min
Welcome back, ScreenStrong family! Today, we're diving into a crucial topic with the incredible Dr. Adriana Stacey: how to choose the perfect phone for your kids. Parents worldwide are facing the daunting task of selecting the right phone for their children. With so many options available, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But before we make a choice, let's pause and ask ourselves: Why does our child need a phone in the first place? Understanding the purpose behind giving your child a phone is key....
May 01, 2024•33 min
Join Mandee Hamann as she chats with Dory Suttmiller, an experienced educator and ScreenStrong Ambassador, about the changing role of technology in classrooms. Dory shares insights into fostering better student-teacher interactions and offers practical tips for creating a healthy learning environment amidst digital distractions. Whether you're a teacher or a parent, this episode provides valuable advice for navigating technology's impact on education. Tune in to learn how Dory was able to establ...
Apr 24, 2024•44 min
Do you want to prevent your middle Schooler from becoming dependent on screen time this summer? Join Melanie as she offers practical strategies to Emily, a ScreenStrong Ambassador and concerned middle school mom, to keep tweens engaged and social without resorting to video games or social media. Get inspired and discover how to make this summer a ScreenStrong success for your family! Support the show Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback help...
Apr 10, 2024•57 min
Melanie is joined once again by Dr. Leonard Sax, an American psychologist and a practicing family physician. Dr. Sax has spoken on child and adolescent development issues in schools and communities worldwide since 2001. He is the author of numerous books and publications, including The Collapse of Parenting , one of ScreenStrong’s most recommended books. Did you know that TikTok is the #1 most visited website in the U.S. and Worldwide today? One billion TikTok videos are viewed daily, and its po...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 5 min
