Fighting with your teen about screens doesn’t mean you’re failing. It usually means you’re focusing on the wrong thing.

In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, I’m joined by Stephen Balkam, Founder and CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute, who brings 30 years of experience helping families navigate online safety without fear or power struggles.

We break down why traditional screen time rules backfire, why screen use matters more than minutes, and how parents can stay influential in a world where teens are using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude for school, problem-solving, and decision-making.

If you want to protect your teen online without losing trust or connection, this episode will help you rethink your approach.

The biggest screen time mistake parents make (and what works better)

Why quality of screen use matters more than quantity

How the “co-pilot” approach keeps you involved without controlling

Why involving teens in rule-setting increases follow-through

What parents need to know about AI and critical thinking

Simple boundaries that protect both safety and connection

Family Online Safety Institute: https://www.fosi.org

Seven Steps to Good Digital Parenting

Digital Parenting Contract Template

FOSI YouTube Channel

AI tools discussed: ChatGPT, Claude

Stephen Balkam is the Founder and CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute, a nonprofit working with major tech companies to make the online world safer for kids and families. He has been at the forefront of online safety for three decades and has witnessed the evolution from the early web to social media to today’s AI age.

Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam helps parents stay calm, connected, and confident while navigating the challenges of raising teens. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach.

👉 Learn more and access free resources at AskDrCam.com

If you’ve asked your teen to do a chore and they responded like you just requested a kidney… welcome. 🫠

Because here’s the thing: the chore battle usually isn’t about the chore. It’s about what happens after you ask—the stalling, the eye rolls, the “in a minute,” the sudden deep commitment to scrolling, and you repeating yourself until your voice hits a pitch only dogs can hear.

In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, Dr. Cam breaks down the real reason chores blow up in so many homes—and why most of the common fixes (punishment, consequences, rewards, bribing, threatening, lecturing) often backfire long-term.

You’ll learn the simple shift that can turn chores from a power struggle into cooperation—without begging, nagging, or doing it all yourself—plus the one mistake that accidentally teaches teens to avoid chores (and you) even more.

If chores have become the hill your household dies on… this episode will change how you look at it—and what you do next.

This is Part 2 of the series: 7 Behaviors Parents Often Punish That Are Actually Signs of Healthy Development.

Why “clean your room” can feel impossible to a teen brain (even when they want to do it)

The hidden reason punishment makes chore resistance worse over time

The mindset shift that gets teens to help without the constant reminders

How to build responsibility in a way that doesn’t destroy your relationship

Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! 🙏💫

Website: https://www.askdrcam.com

The COLLABORATE Method™ Parenting Program – A step-by-step approach that helps you respond confidently to any teen struggle (chores, motivation, attitude, school stress, and more): https://www.askdrcam.com/collab

Website: AskDrCam.com

Why chores trigger so many power struggles

The surprising reason your teen avoids starting (even when it’s simple)

The parenting response that quietly increases resistance

The “nag-free” strategy that changes cooperation

How to build responsibility without resentment

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth. Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #teenchores #parentingteens

A lot of parents see the hours, hear the headphones, and picture the worst: strangers, predators, secret chats, and “Is my kid addicted to this?!”

So in this episode, I brought in someone who actually knows what’s happening behind the scenes at Roblox: Tami Bhaumik, Vice President of Civility and Partnerships at Roblox. And let me tell you—this conversation will either calm your nervous system… or at least give you a real plan.

The one thing most parents misunderstand about Roblox… and why it matters for safety

A major safety feature rolling out that could change how teens connect with others online

The screen-time question parents obsess over—and what actually signals a real problem

Why “play with your teen” isn’t cheesy advice… it’s a shortcut to better conversations and more honesty

How to set limits that don’t instantly trigger eye rolls, blowups, or shutdowns

🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?

🔔 Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode! 🙌

Roblox Safety Center: https://corp.roblox.com/safety

Vice President of Civility and Partnerships, Roblox

Website: https://AskDrCam.com

00:00 – Roblox: What It Really Is (And Why Parents Misread It)

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this show gives you science-backed insights and real-life parenting tools you can actually use—so you can stop second-guessing yourself and start leading with more calm, clarity, and connection.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #Roblox #onlinesafety #digitalliteracy

Eye rolls.

If your teen’s “nasty attitude” instantly makes you think disrespect, defiance, or this needs to stop now, this episode will change how you see everything.

In Episode #269 of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, I kick off a brand-new series unpacking teen behaviors parents punish — even though they’re often signs of healthy development. And we’re starting with the one that triggers parents the fastest: attitude.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth most parents were never told: What feels like disrespect in the moment is often your teen’s nervous system in overload, paired with a brain that’s wired for emotion but still learning regulation. When we shut it down with consequences or lectures, we don’t teach respect — we teach defense.

And that’s where the power struggles, shutdowns, and distance begin.

In this episode, I don’t just explain why this happens, I walk you through the critical choice every parent faces in those heated moments… and how one response builds walls while the other builds trust.

I also introduce the response framework I teach parents inside my COLLABORATE Method™ Parenting Program — the approach that helps you hold boundaries without escalating, shutting down, or saying something you regret five minutes later.

If you’ve ever wondered:

Why does my teen get snarky over the smallest things?

Am I accidentally making the attitude worse?

How do I stop the tone without starting a war?

This episode is your wake-up call.

Because tonight’s “attitude” isn’t just about tonight.

Why teen “attitude” often usually has nothing to do with disrespect — and everything to do with brain development

The hidden reason even well-intended questions can trigger snark and shutdown

The parenting response that escalates attitude (most parents default to it without realizing)

The moment-by-moment choice that determines whether your teen opens up… or closes off 

Every time your teen gets mouthy, snappy, or sarcastic, one of two things happens. You either:

reinforce fear, control, and emotional shutdown or

teach regulation, communication, and real respect

Most parents were taught the first path.

In this episode, I show you the second and explain why it works even when your teen is not at their best.

This episode gives you the why. The COLLABORATE Method™ Parenting Program gives you the how — across every teen challenge, not just attitude.

Inside the program, parents learn how to:

Stay calm and grounded when emotions run high

Respond instead of react — even in triggering moments

Hold boundaries without power struggles

Build respect that actually lasts

If you’re done guessing what to say and want a clear, repeatable system you can trust in real life, this is where to start.

👉 Learn more here: https://askdrcam.com/collaboratemethod

Next up in this series: Why “Not Doing Chores” Is Rarely About Laziness

Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is your go-to podcast for understanding teen behavior and responding in ways that build connection not conflict. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, adolescent psychologist, parenting coach, and “The Teen Translator,” each episode delivers science-backed insight and real-life parenting tools you can actually use. 

Instagram: @drcamcaswell

Website: askdrcam.com

Generative AI like ChatGPT is now woven into nearly every part of teen life, and many parents feel unsettled by how fast it all happened. Are teens using AI tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to learn, to cheat, or something in between? Are they turning to AI for emotional support? And what should parents actually be worried about versus reacting out of fear?

In this episode, Dr. Cam pulls back the curtain on how teens are really using generative AI. You will hear what teens told researchers directly, what surprised even the experts, and why most parents are focusing on the wrong risks.

Dr. Cam is joined by Alanna Powers-O’Brien, Research and Program Specialist at the Family Online Safety Institute and co-author of the national report Generative AI in Uncertain Times: How Teens Are Navigating a New Digital Frontier. Together, they break down what teen AI use looks like in real life, why many teens do not want to cheat, why 42% are using AI to talk through emotions, and what teens wish parents understood before reacting.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

How teens are actually using ChatGPT and generative AI tools for school, learning, and everyday problem-solving

Why many teens feel genuinely confused about what counts as cheating with AI

The real reasons teens turn to AI for emotional support and what it does and does not replace

Teens’ top concern about AI use and why it is not what most parents assume

Want support navigating tech, AI, and tough conversations with your teen?

The Parenting Teens Academy gives you practical scripts, science-backed tools, and clear guidance to help you stay calm, confident, and connected, even when parenting feels overwhelming.

🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Generative AI in Uncertain Times: How Teens Are Navigating a New Digital Frontier

Family Online Safety Institute

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Alanna Powers-O’Brien

Organization: Family Online Safety Institute

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell

Website: https://www.askdrcam.com

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Teens and Generative AI Explained

ABOUT THE SHOW

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers in today’s world. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, the show delivers real-world strategies, expert insight, and practical tools to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen.

Each episode helps parents respond with confidence, reduce power struggles, and support teens’ emotional growth without shame or fear-based parenting.

👉 Learn more and explore resources at https://www.askdrcam.com/parenting-teens-podcast

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #ChatGPTandTeens #AIParenting #DigitalParenting

Struggling with your teen’s late nights, groggy mornings, and endless battles over bedtime? You’re not alone—and you’re not imagining it. In this powerful episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, certified Ayurvedic practitioner Nidhi Pandya breaks down why traditional sleep rules fail with teenagers and reveals a compassionate, science-backed approach that finally works. She explains how teen circadian rhythms shift during adolescence, why the 11 PM–2 AM “power hours” matter more than total sleep, and how stress—not screens—is the real culprit behind poor sleep. Nidhi shares practical tools rooted in ancient Ayurvedic wisdom and modern neurobiology, giving parents simple ways to reduce resistance, build connection, and help their teens naturally reset their sleep schedule—without nagging, yelling, or forcing bedtime.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?

Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! Thanks so much for your support! 🙏💫

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Nidhi Pandya

Website: nidhipandya.com

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell

Website: AskDrCam.com

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Understanding Teen Sleep Challenges

ABOUT THE SHOW

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert insights, and real-world tools to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth.

Whether you’re struggling with communication, motivation, behavior, or confidence, each episode is filled with actionable tips to make parenting easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the skills and confidence to thrive during the teen years.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #teensleep #ayurvedaforteens 

Is your teen’s bathroom counter starting to look like a Sephora exploded? You’re not imagining it—the teen skincare craze is real, and TikTok is fueling it. But here’s what most parents don’t realize: all those trendy products, harsh ingredients, and 10-step routines can actually damage teen skin.

Dr. Casey brings the perfect mix of expert science and mom-level realness—giving parents the confidence to guide their teens away from harmful trends and toward lifelong skin health.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

Why 6–8 step “SkinTok” routines backfire

The 3 products teens actually need: cleanse, moisturize, protect

How to talk to your teen about toning down the trends (without a power struggle)

My teen is obsessed with Bright Girl Skincare — and she finally stopped raiding my bathroom counter. 

Dr. Casey set up a special discount just for our community so you can grab some for your teen too. They make perfect stocking stuffers.

👉 Discount link: https://brightgirl.com/discount/DRCAM

🌟 Use code: DRCAM

00:00 – Why teen skincare is suddenly out of control

Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need.

Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is your go-to guide for raising today’s teens with more connection, confidence, and calm. Every episode brings expert insights and real-world strategies to help families thrive—not just survive—the teen years.

If homework has turned into an exhausting nightly standoff, this episode is for you. Dr. Cam and neurodivergent therapist Holly Blanc Moses reveal why ADHD teens aren’t “stubborn” or “unmotivated”—they’re stuck due to executive functioning challenges like task initiation, time blindness, working memory, and overwhelm.

You’ll learn how shame and the expectation–capacity gap make starting feel impossible, and you’ll get brain-based, neurodiversity-affirming tools to move from standoff to small wins: time timers, body doubling, task analysis, and collaborative problem-solving.

Walk away with practical scripts and strategies that protect your relationship while helping your teen start—and finish—homework with more confidence and less conflict.

Why “stubborn” and "lazy" are the wrong story 

5 neuroscience-backed strategies that end homework battles

The 2-minute trick that finally got my ADHD teen to clean their room

How to tell if you’re accidentally hurting your teen’s mental health (even good parents do this)

If this helped, share it with a friend and leave a rating/review so more parents can find it. Don’t miss an episode—subscribe!

Time Timer

Flown (body doubling platform)

The 135 School Accommodations for Autistic & ADHD Students (50% off)

Website: hollyblancmoses.com/connect

Practice (Raleigh, NC): crossvinecounseling.com

Facebook: @hollyblancmoses

Instagram: @hollyblancmoses

LinkedIn: @holly-blanc-moses-378a78104

YouTube: @autismadhdtvwithholly

FB Group for Parents: WiredDifferentlyGroup

00:00 Why Homework Feels Impossible: Executive Functioning 101

12:29 The Expectation–Capacity Gap (and how to close it)

24:37 Motivation vs. Task Analysis: Mapping the first step

36:05 From Shame to Support: Language that lowers defenses

37:01 Co-Regulation and Trust: Teaching when your teen is stressed

41:42 Tools That Work: Time timers, body doubling, and collaboration

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth. Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #ADHD #executivefunction #homework

Struggling to connect with your teenager? You’re not alone. In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, pediatric psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart shares transformative, brain-based strategies to help parents rebuild connection with defiant, distant, or disconnected teens.

Learn why the phrase “I love my teen, but I don’t like them right now” resonates so deeply with parents—and how to move from constant conflict to calm, connected communication. Dr. Lockhart explains the neuroscience behind teen behavior, comparing the adolescent brain to the toddler years to help you understand why your teen’s reactions can seem “illogical and irrational.”

Together, Dr. Cam and Dr. Lockhart unpack the emotional toll of disrespect, withdrawal, and conditional love, offering parents science-backed tools to restore trust and strengthen relationships. You’ll walk away with actionable steps to stop the yelling cycle, repair emotional wounds, and reconnect with your teen—without losing your authority or your sanity.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

📘 Love the Teen You Have by Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart (on Sale Now )

📗https://read.macmillan.com/fib/lovetheteenpreorder/ (The Work Book)

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart

🌐 Website: www.anewdaysa.com

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell

🌐 Website: AskDrCam.com

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 – Introduction to Parenting Challenges with Teens

ABOUT THE SHOW

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth.

Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #parentingteens #parentteenconnection

Ever wonder why your teen’s backtalk or eye roll hits you harder than it should? 🧠 In this powerful episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, adolescent psychologist Dr. Cam Caswell sits down with Shelly Robinson, certified conscious parenting coach and founder of Raising Yourself, to uncover why your child’s behavior often activates your deepest wounds—and how healing your own past can completely transform your relationship.

Shelly shares her personal journey from reactive parenting and yelling matches to fostering calm, emotionally intelligent conversations with her now-15-year-old son. You’ll discover the link between your inner teen and your actual teen, learn to identify emotional triggers before they explode, and walk away with tools to break generational cycles of shame, guilt, and control.

If you’ve ever thought, “Why do I lose it over something so small?”, this episode will help you find compassion for yourself—and create a more peaceful, connected home. 💛

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Shelly Robinson

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Understanding Parental Triggers

ABOUT THE SHOW

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth.

Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #consciousparenting #parentingteens