Media Savvy Moms

Want to connect more with your kids over the holidays? Consider the benefit of storytelling and shared memories. It's a strange and wonderful gift. One that I discovered almost by accident.

A few years back my parents decided they wanted a different kind of Christmas gift. Instead of a wrapped present, they asked me (and each of my siblings) to write a story—or more precisely a memory. It could be from our childhood or otherwise. The only rule was that it had to be ready to share with the whole family on Christmas Day.

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to children and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality.

One by one, young survivors have come forward. They've told harrowing stories about videos posted on Pornhub that portray their victimization and even their rape. Discover how you can take action against Pornhub today and help put an end to child exploitation online.

There are lots of ways to spread awareness: tweets, posts, blogs, podcasts, newspapers, demonstrations, etc. But if we want to see real change in our community we have to engage the policy-makers.

That means getting involved (just a wee bit) in the legislative process. So, I'm challenging you to write one simple letter. It might not seem like a big deal. Or maybe it does (because you don't like writing). But I'm going to show you how EASY it is to write that letter. AND why it is so very important that you TAKE ACTION NOW!

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality.

How do you feel about kids and video games? If you're like many parents, you're conflicted. You want your children and teens to have fun and enjoy the very best that tech entertainment has to offer. But you're also concerned about hidden risks. Are the chat features in today's games safe? What about exposure to extreme violence and pornographic content? How likely is it for a child to become addicted to video games?

We're parents, we get it. We've asked all these questions (and more!). That's why we sat down this week with Nadja Strieter, Programs Director at Game Quitters—an organization devoted to helping gamers (and their loved ones) understand and overcome gaming addiction. Nadja's approach is practical and down-to-earth. She's able to cut through controversy, go to the facts, and give us sound advice. If you've got kids that love to game, be sure to tune in for the full interview.

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality.

2020 has brought numerous changes to our households. During the lockdown, our normal typically structured daily routine loosened, and many of us (parents and kids alike) became more involved with gaming. Even though our daily schedule has changed again, many kids are staying up later and even gaming all night. You may be wondering what to do, especially as the Holidays approach.

This episode is part of our #DearSavvy series. Sometimes you just want a quick answer to a burning question. These shorter episodes are designed to give you just that. Tune in to the podcast to hear the whole scoop, and check out the show notes for helpful tools and information. If you'd like to submit a question, click here to Contact Us.

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.

On your list of tricky topics to bring up with your kids, how high is sexting? Top 3? Top 10? Is it even there? If it's not, keep reading, and it'll soon be number one. The combination of digital cameras, instant messaging, and the adolescent brain puts our kids at huge risk. The bullying begins. An intimate photo is blasted. The police are called in. Kids today need to know they have better options. They need to know that they can stand up to sexting.

Fortunately, there's a phenomenal resource that takes this particular tricky topic and turns it into a fun—yes fun!—and incredibly comfortable conversation starter. It's a book (or a guide, if you prefer). And it's called Stand Up To Sexting: An Open Conversation for Parents & Kids.

We had the privilege of sitting down this week with the authors, Christy Monson and Heather Boynton. Christy's a grandma to tweens, teens and beyond. Heather's a mom to teens and younger. Both are professionals in the field of child development. And both have seen first hand the devastating effects that sexting is having on kids in our high schools, colleges, and in even our elementary schools. So, what did they do? They decided to act—TO STAND UP—and to do something about it.

With their combined experience and expertise they created a resource that allows families to: get past the awkward stage, foster better communication, and help change the trajectory of their kids' experience with their digital devices.

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality.

How do we choose the perfect gift for kids today? And what does that even mean? Do we simply get them whatever they ask for? We could go with the latest tech device, right? But then that means coming up with digital safety solutions. Maybe it's better to choose a more thoughtful and creative gift? It's possible that there are just too many choices!

Well friends, 2020 has caused us enough stress! Budgets may be tight. And is it safe to say that we're all sick of screens? Let's take a fresh look at how to tackle the Holiday shopping list. Whether interested in going tech-free or tech-friendly, this episode has the advice needed to find the perfect gift for all the kids on anyone's list. Tune in as we wax nostalgic to uncover the secret gift-giving formula. Plus, summarize what our favorite tech experts say is the most important thing to do before wrapping up any tech gifts this year.

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality.

We talk about how connecting with our kids can help protect them against addiction and the harms of pornography. But how exactly do we build those healthy connections? Ever considered the benefits of adventuring with your kids? They go well beyond exercise and a healthy dose of fresh air. Adventuring together builds connections in unimaginable ways. Plus it's fun!

We have a return guest this week, Greta Eskridge—supermom, home educator, social media influencer, and most recently ... published author (details below). And BOY is she fun to follow! Her passion is to be out doing AMAZING stuff with her kids! And that's exactly why we're picking her brain. What's the secret to these amazing adventures? And what can we learn from her experience?

Last time Greta was on the show, we were in the first few weeks of the COVID-19 madness. Suddenly dumped into the schooling-from-home arena, we looked to her for advice. At that point, none of us imagined that several months later, we would still be in lockdown. Most of us are still schooling and working from home in one form or another, and trying to cope with the upside-down new normal (if you can call it that!). What's a desperate parent to do?

Tune in to the podcast for some great conversations about how to get out of the funk and build real, meaningful connections with our kids that will last a lifetime!

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality.

Pornography is easily accessible and is permeating our lives. And while we, as parents, are becoming more aware of its effects and recognize the need to talk with our children about pornography, many wonder when, where, and how to start the conversation. It's a scary task, oftentimes more so for parents than for the kids! So, where do we start?

This episode is part of our #DearSavvy series. Sometimes you just want a quick answer to a burning question. These shorter episodes are designed to give you just that.Tune into the podcast to hear the whole scoop, and check out the show notes for helpful tools and information. If you'd like to submit a question, click here to Contact Us.

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality.

Child sexual abuse. It's a serious topic with no easy answers. It can hurt just thinking about it—no matter whose child it affects. So what are we to do? Do we close our eyes, try to think of happier thoughts, and wish for it to all go away? No! We do what we can do. We control what we can control. We teach children about body safety. We give them the best protective information we can.

No one knows how to do this better than Holly-ann Martin. She, with the help of her husband Roger, founded Safe4Kids, a Western Australia organization devoted to Abuse Prevention Training. Simply, they saw a need and went to work. With a background in education, Holly-ann has developed a host of incredible resources (see links below). Each is designed to help parents and teachers empower children with the necessary life skills to not only help protect from unwanted sexual touch (including exposure to pornography), but also teach children how to build and nurture respectful relationships.

If there's one underlying message that we want you to get from this episode, it's that you can do this! Talking to children about body safety can be comfortable, easy, and even fun! In fact, kids learn best when they're having fun. As their parent, you're the best person to take the lead on this. But don't worry, you're not alone. Holly-ann is here to guide you though. In this episode we discuss:

• What is the best age to start protective conversations
• Why kids need us to help them express themselves
• 3 fun and practical ways to teach body safety

And did we mention? … she's been teaching and updating her curriculum for over 35 years!! So ya, she knows a thing or two!

Holly-ann Martin is the founder and Managing Director of Safe4Kids, a company specialising in child abuse prevention education. Through Safe4Kids, Holly-ann develops and distributes child protection education resources to parents, teachers and educators, and facilitates child protection education and training in Australia and overseas. With a background as a Teacher's Assistant, Holly-ann is also a children's author and public speaker. Holly-ann advocates for a holistic, community-based approach to child abuse prevention, educating the people in a child's network about how to teach kids about body safety, empower them with knowledge, and ultimately keep them safe.

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.

Do you have a child who is obsessed with anime? Are you freaking out? Or maybe you just want to know what all the hype is about. What is anime? Is it dangerous? If so, how can I protect my kids? Is there any way to safely enjoy anime?

Anime. Suddenly it's everywhere. All the kids are talking about it. All the parents are scratching their heads about it. And many families have sent us horror stories because they didn't know what they were getting into, and their kids have been traumatized in its wake.

So what is anime anyway? Maybe you have some pieces of the puzzle. You know Pokemon Go is a thing. You've seen anime titles pop up on YouTube or Netflix. (Who could miss that pronounced Japanese animated style?) The kids are chatting non-stop about their favorite series and anime characters in the carpool on the way to school. So what's the deal? Is anime evil? Is it safe? Should we be worried about this craze permeating the upcoming generation? Tune in to the podcast and we'll figure it out together!

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.