ScreenStrong Families

Mandee Hamann—our Ambassador Liaison—interviews Sarah Hendrix, a Senior Director in corporate healthcare and a Master’s Degree prepared Registered Nurse with specialty experience in Neurosciences. She is also a new ScreenStrong Ambassador. Sarah shares her screen journey with her preschool son and encourages parents wherever they are on their own journey.This is part of a series of episodes getting to know our ScreenStrong Ambassador team. If you want to become an Ambassador, please visit our website or email mandee@screenstrong.org.Support the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

On this episode, Melanie is joined by Nadya Seboldt, a Licensed Educational Psychologist, to discuss the history of pornography, the easy access kids have to porn, and how parents can prevent early porn exposure.While this is not an explicit episode, it is an in-depth discussion of  pornography. Listener discretion is advised.Support the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

In this special episode, Melanie interviews Lydia, a ScreenStrong teen whose story we first heard back in January 2021. Lydia gives us an update on her life and how she’s been thriving without social media. She also offers encouragement to teens and parents just starting on the ScreenStrong journey.References & Links:Lydia's first episode: ScreenStrong Teens: Lydia (#16)Support the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

In today’s episode, Melanie and Dr. Stacey discuss the issue of screens in school and offer tips for parents to take charge of their children's learning habits. References & LinksWhy Screens Are Failing Students and Frustrating Teachers with Matt Miles (#61)Support the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ScreenStrong Founder Melanie Hempe shares top-tier screen tips geared toward moms in this fantastic episode. Speaking directly from her own experience raising an addicted gamer, Melanie offers from-the-heart tips and shortcuts for you to protect your children from toxic screens and give them the freedom to enjoy a rich childhood.References & Links:Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela DuckworthHow to Get Your Child to Take Music Lessons with Dr. Catharine McClure Jackson (#112)Support the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

In light of the horrific school killing in Nashville this week, we invited Lt. Col. Dave Grossman to speak to us about the tragedy. Lt. Col. Grossman is an internationally recognized scholar, author, soldier, and speaker who is one of the world’s foremost experts in human aggression and the roots of violence and violent crime.  Lt. Col. Grossman and Melanie discuss the effect of violent video games on children and what we can do as parents to protect our kids from the onslaught of toxic screens.Our hearts are breaking for the victims, their families, and the killer's family. Our prayers are with you.References & LinksAssassination Generation: Video Games, Aggression, and the Psychology of Killing by Lt. Col. Dave GrossmanSupport the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Today, Melanie and Dr. Adriana Stacey discuss a recent article in the Journal of Pediatrics on independent play and how it relates to children’s mental well-being. This episode is full of great recommendations, encouragement, and a ton of research on why allowing your children the autonomy of independent play will make them happier, healthier, and more well-rounded adults.References & Links:Journal of Pediatrics article Dr. Stacey refers to throughout the episode: Decline in Independent Activity as a Cause of Decline in Children’s Mental Wellbeing: Summary of the EvidencePlay: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul by Dr. Stuart BrownThe Let Grow Project for Childhood Independence Episode 38: Helping Your Children Avoid Screen Addiction with Tracy MarkleSupport the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

In this episode, Melanie is joined by long-time ScreenStrong friend Dr. Leonard Sax, M.D., to talk about the effect of toxic screen time on children’s brains and social interactions. They review new screen-time studies, discuss how to manage screen meltdowns, warning signs for screen addiction, and how important the parent’s role is when making decisions about screen time.If you want to share your family’s story with Dr. Sax, email us at team@screenstrong.com.References & Links:Jonathan Haidt's article: 'Social Media Is Riskier for Kids Than ‘Screen Time.’Dr. Sax's Books:The Collapse of Parenting: How We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Grown-UpsBoys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young MenGirls on the Edge: Why So Many Girls Are Anxious, Wired, and OBsessed—and What Parents Can DoOther Dr. Sax Episodes:TikTok: It’s All In The Algorithm with Dr. Leonard Sax (#102)The Collapse of Parenting with Dr. Leonard Sax, Part 2 (#26)The Collapse of Parenting with Dr. Leonard Sax, Part 1 (#22)Support the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Today is a special teen-centered episode! We’re sharing audio from Andrew Hempe’s presentation to parents of lower and middle-school-aged children. Andrew is an 18-year-old high school senior who grew up without smartphones or video games. His unique perspective on making friends, enjoying your family, and living a rich life outside the virtual world is at the heart of this episode. Enjoy!FURTHER READING:Article: 'Surgeon General says 13 is 'too early' to join social media'Article: Jean TwengeSupport the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

This week we welcome back our friend Officer Gomez to discuss how online predators find kids, the best parental controls, how to lock down Chromebooks, and age-restrictions for social media.Other Episodes with Officer Gomez:How to Get Smartphones Out of School with Officer Gomez (#116)The Battle Against Screen Time with Officer Gomez (#86)Support the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin