Melissa McKay, president of the Digital Childhood Institute, made headlines when her viral post forced Google to reverse its policy of emailing kids instructions to remove parental controls at age 13. She shares the story behind that win, why Roblox is doing the same thing, and what parents need to know about protecting their kids when tech companies prioritize profit over safety.

Learn more about the Digital Childhood Institute and connect with Melissa.

Don't forget to check out Melissa's viral posts about Google and Roblox!

Selma Blair gets candid about parenting her 14-year-old son in an always-connected world. She shares how she's navigated tech and social media as both a public figure and a mom, the conversations she's had about online safety, and her advice for parents trying to find balance in a digital age.

Paul Raffile is a cybercrime expert and online safety advocate who's been on the front lines of catching sextortion scammers and exposing platform failures. He shares what parents need to know about sextortion, which apps pose the biggest risks, and the shocking reality of what social media companies allow to happen on their platforms.

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn!

Resources, stories, and other things mentioned in this episode:

• Paul's experience with Meta
• The UK Documentary
• The Yahoo Boys
• Meta's "Teen Nudity Controls"
• The story of Jordan Demay and sextortion
• The Take it Down Act
• The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA)

Dr. Nidhi Gupta — physician, author of Calm the Noise, and founder of the Phreedom Foundation — breaks down how tech is impacting our health and what families can do to take back control. She shares the science behind constant notifications, her 'aha' moment that led to writing the book, and the three rules every family should start with tonight.

Learn more about Dr. Gupta and the Phreedom Foundation on her website, and order your copy of Calm the Noise.

Ben Gillenwater — aka The Family IT Guy — brings 30 years of cybersecurity expertise to the parenting table. He shares how his background shaped the way he protects his own kid online, what parents can expect from his online community, and the one change that can make the biggest difference in your family's digital safety.

Connect with Ben:

• On his website
• Instagram
• TikTok

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• How to Set Up Roblox Parental Controls
• Roblox App Review
• The Top 5 Hidden Dangers of Roblox
• Why Parents Are Banning Roblox
• Ben's meditation app, Being
• NCMEC and the Cyber TipLine

Stories discussed in this episode:

• Jordan DeMay, sextortion
• Adam Raine, ChatGPT and suicide
• 764 Group

Heather Dubrow, star of The Real Housewives of Orange County and mom of four, joins us to share her real-life wisdom on raising kids in the digital age. From screen time struggles to teaching inclusivity, this episode is full of honesty, perspective, and a little Housewives flair.

Parenting a child with mental health challenges can feel isolating, but support is out there. Casie Fiorello from Other Parents Like Me shares her experiences, practical resources, and advice to help families navigate these challenges with confidence and community.

Learn more about Other Parents Like Me.

Kim Gravel gets real about parenting in an always-connected world. She shares how she talks to her kids about online safety, balances social media and privacy, and uses tools like Bark to help protect her family.

Resources in this episode:

• Check out Kim's website
• Connect with Kim on Instagram
• Tune into Kim's podcast
• "Delay is the way" with Protect Young Eyes

Kids and tech collided in big ways in 2025 — from viral slang taking over classrooms to major online safety laws reshaping the internet. We’re breaking down the moments that mattered and what they mean for your kid’s digital world.

Discussed in this episode:

• Australia's social media ban and how our friends from Parenting in a Tech World, the Facebook group, are feeling about it
• Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation
• Kids Online Safety Act
• All things SLANG:
• Algospeak
• 6-7 trend
• Bark's slang guide
• Bark's emoji guide
• Bark's sexual slang guide
• Our predictions for 2026 ????
• More about the Disney/Sora announcement and AI sycophancy

Sexual abuse prevention expert and safety educator Kimberly King shares how parents can have meaningful conversations about body safety and boundaries with their kids. We also dive into her resources for families and the podcast she created to empower moms and protect kids.

Make sure to get your own copies of I Said No! and Body Safety for Young Children: Empowering Caring Adults.

Connect with Kimberly on Instagram!

Additional resources:

• Body Boss Bootcamp for kids
• 9 Red Flags to Spot Grooming
• Book a Family Safety Consultation with Kimberly