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. Discover the surprising medical benefits of a screen detox and the transformative outcomes it can bring to children's lives.

This episode isn't just about highlighting the problem; it's also about providing actionable solutions. Learn about proven strategies for a successful screen detox and practical tips for parents navigating this digital age with their children.

Join our free Connect forum and embark on the 30-Day Challenge Screen Detox for kids & teens. Take the first step towards reclaiming your child's health and happiness in a screen-saturated world.

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 Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

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. Is it for safety, communication, or simply convenience? Let's be honest—it's often more about parental peace of mind than the child's actual needs.

As we delve into the world of technology, we encounter both risks and benefits. While phones offer connectivity and convenience, they also pose risks like exposure to inappropriate content and excessive screen time. Are the benefits worth the potential pitfalls?

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 Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

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 establish a ScreenStrong Classroom and improve the learning environment for her students.

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 Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

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 helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

• Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

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 popularity has spread with astonishing speed, affecting all that engage with it. Melanie and Dr. Sax take a deep dive to deconstruct TikTok’s algorithm and its harmful impact and suggestibility on young people. From social pressure to self-harm, Dr. Sax expands on the dark side of social media’s influence on our children’s development. He also dives into the parental trap of “just wanting to make our children happy” and how we need to shift and strengthen our parenting intentions to help our children fulfill their potential.

This is an episode that you may want to use to start a small discussion group among a few friends to encourage and cultivate support in your parenting journey.

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 Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

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 of stress and anxiety. From the fear of missing out (FOMO) to cyberbullying, Melanie and Dr. Stacey dissect the various ways in which smartphones exacerbate anxiety in teens. They also discuss the impact of excessive screen time on mental health, sleep patterns, and interpersonal relationships.

Throughout the episode, Melanie and Dr. Stacey provide practical tips and strategies for parents, educators, and teenagers themselves to navigate the digital landscape more mindfully and mitigate the adverse effects of smartphone use on mental well-being.

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 Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

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 with the pervasive presence of adult content. He explores the nuances of communication within the family unit, emphasizing the crucial role of parental guidance in navigating sensitive topics such as sexuality and pornography.

Through Isaac's poignant narrative, listeners are invited to confront the realities of addressing taboo subjects in a digital age, where boundaries blur, and access to explicit material is omnipresent. His story is a poignant reminder of the profound impact of openness and support within familial relationships.

Tune in as Mandee and Isaac delve deep into the intersection of upbringing, technology, and personal struggle, offering insight and empathy to those grappling with similar challenges.

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 Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

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 Screens material and how it resonates with students and parents alike.
• Get practical strategies to engage resistant or sensitive kids, including seeking feedback and providing incentives.
• Explore tips for encouraging open dialogue and applying the curriculum to various aspects of kids' lives.
• Understand the transformative potential of the Kids’ Brains & Screens curriculum in empowering students to control screen habits and build offline relationships.
• Gain insights into the importance of education in making informed decisions about screen time, with parallels drawn to health education.

Tune in for valuable insights and practical advice on guiding kids toward healthier screen habits, and join the mission to empower the next generation in the digital age.

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 Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

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 understanding the complexities involved. Through candid insights and expert analysis, we explore the ways in which Big Tech shapes our children's online experiences and its repercussions on their mental well-being.
Join us in this important conversation as we navigate the intersection of technology and parenting. Listen, learn, and share this podcast with others, as together, we work towards creating a safer and more balanced digital environment for our children. 

The paperback version of "Kids' Brains & Screens: A ScreenStrong Student Course" is OUT NOW—get your copy on Amazon today!

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 Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

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, fostering healthier connections along the way.

Whether your kids are already glued to their devices or you're deliberating when to introduce them, KBS arms them with the knowledge and inspiration to take a step back from harmful screen habits and rediscover the joys of the offline world.

This eight-part course isn't your run-of-the-mill curriculum. Bursting with vibrant graphics reminiscent of a graphic novel, it's designed to captivate and educate. While tailored for middle schoolers, its impact transcends age, resonating with high schoolers and parents alike.

What's inside Kids’ Brains and Screens for Students?

• 300 pages of engaging content filled with captivating visuals to keep your child hooked
• Eight Colorful Lessons, each divided into three sections, complete with Lesson Worksheets and Quizzes
• 24 Lesson Plans meticulously crafted for educators
• 24 Video Summaries delivered by a Physician for enhanced understanding
• A 7-Day Challenge Screen Detox to kickstart healthier habits
• Friday Fun Night instructions for family bonding
• An Escape from Screen Jail Bonus Challenge for added excitement

Don't miss out on this game-changing resource that promises to reshape your family's screen dynamics. Tune in as Melanie and Mandee give you an exclusive sneak peek into the future of screen education.

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 Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin