Screen Less Play More

Does risky play make you nervous as a parent? In this episode, we explore why tree climbing, nature play, outdoor freedom, and healthy risk-taking help kids become safer, stronger, more confident, and better at judging real-world risks. Welcome to Part 2 of the Screen Less Play More conversation with Josée Bergeron of Backwoods Mama, author of "Beyond the Front Door: Embracing Nature for a Happier and Healthier Family." Josee and host Cynthia Dvorak talk about why tree climbing, nature play, loose parts, sit spotting, and outdoor freedom are some of the most powerful ways to help kids become safer, stronger, calmer, and more confident. We dive into the science and real-life parenting side of risky play for kids, including why children who are allowed to climb, jump, spin, run fast, and test their physical limits actually become better at judging risk later in life. Josée shares practical ways to help kids engage in healthy outdoor risk without pushing them beyond what their bodies are ready for, including one of my favorite takeaways:  never place your child into a risky play position they can't get into on their own. We also explore: why tree climbing is so good for child development how risky outdoor play improves balance, motor skills, and body awareness what to do when your own parental anxiety kicks in how to slowly introduce outdoor freedom if your child has been overprotected why nature-based play helps kids become less anxious and more resilient how children learn better safety judgment through experience Beyond risky play, this conversation opens up beautiful ways to help children feel deeply connected to the outdoors through: sit spotting and mindfulness in nature grounding exercises for anxious kids nature journaling prompts "interview a tree" imagination activities creating a simple nature table indoors bird feeders and wildlife-friendly family traditions screen-free outdoor activities for every season This episode is perfect for parents who want: less screen time more outdoor play calmer kids confidence-building activities nature-based parenting ideas practical ways to raise independent children If you've ever wondered whether tree climbing, risky play, and outdoor freedom are actually good for your child's safety and development, this conversation will completely reframe the way you think about outdoor childhood. Screen Less Play More is the best parenting podcast for families asking, how much screen time is too much, how to reduce screen time for kids, and how do I increase outside play for kids? Host Cynthia Dvorak shares practical tips for parenting, expert advice, screen free activities for kids, and outside activities for kids. This is the show that  gives you practical tools for reducing screen time battles, ensuring online safety for kids, and age-appropriate digital limits. We discuss if there is such thing as healthy screen time, and what is the reccommended screen time by age. It's the podcast for moms and the podcast for dads who care about keeping kids balanced and brilliant! Episodes discuss what is risky play, imaginative play, loose parts play, and how to get your child to play independently without your needing to hover! We discuss the benefits of outdoor play, and how more play time in nature boosts confidence, resilence, and happiness. We are all just trying to raise balanced, thriving kids in the digital age! Figuring out kids and technology can be hard, especially in this new world of artificial intelligence, AI, and cybersecurity. But you're not alone.....Screen Less Play More will guide you through! https://screenlessplaymore.com/ Please follow and subscribe so that you don't miss a single episode! Thanks for listening!

Are screens, busy schedules, and modern life keeping your kids indoors? In this episode of Screen Less Play More, Cynthia talks with "Backwoods Mama" Josée Bergeron, author of Beyond the Front Door, about why outdoor play, nature connection, and even a little risky play are essential for raising happy, healthy kids. It all started with a moment many parents can relate to: complete overwhelm. One evening, pregnant and exhausted, Josée walked out of her house and drove to a quiet lake- and jumped in the frigid water! That moment sparked a powerful realization that her family had become disconnected from nature. In this conversation, we explore how parents and teachers can bring outdoor play back into everyday life, even if they live in cities, have busy schedules, or struggle with kids who prefer screens. On this episode of Screen Less Play More parents and caregivers and educators will learn: • Why kids desperately need outdoor play and nature time • The three biggest barriers keeping families indoors: cities, schedules, and screens • Simple ways to reduce screen time and get kids outside without adding stress • Easy nature activities for kids like seed bombs, noticing walks, dandilion playdough, and mud kitchens • How risky play and unstructured outdoor play build independence and confidence • Why nature connection improves kids' mental health, focus, and immune systems • Practical ways to encourage teens to spend time outdoors Josée also shares creative spring outdoor ideas for families, including dandelion play-dough, gardening with kids, nature walks, and backyard exploration. If you want your children to love nature, play outside more, and develop independence, this episode is full of practical ideas any parent can start today. Tune in to the best mom podcast and best dad podcast to learn why nature is closer than you think, and small moments outside can change everything. Welcome to the Screen Less Play More podcast — the best parenting podcast for raising balanced, confident kids in the digital age by reducing screen time, managing gaming and social media, and restoring play-based childhoods. Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak of ScreenLessPlayMore.com, we share expert advice and research-backed strategies to help parents create healthy screen habits, set realistic tech boundaries, and build stronger family connection without constant monitoring or power struggles. Each episode gives you practical tools for reducing screen time battles, ensuring online safety for kids, and age-appropriate digital limits. We discuss if there is such thing as healthy screen time, and what are some good guidelines for screen time by age. It's the podcast for moms and the podcast for dads who care about keeping kids balanced and brilliant! What's the best podcast about parenting, play, and screens? Check out the top 6 episodes from 2025 of Screen Less Play More : https://screenlessplaymore.com/top-rated-parenting-podcast-episodes-of-the-year-our-most-listened-most-loved-conversations/ Thanks for listening! If you click "follow" you'll make sure to never miss an episode! Screenless playmore More about Screen Less Play More, the best parenting podcast about kids and screens: https://screenlessplaymore.com/ Substack Youtube

Why is educational technology at school different, and potentially more dangerous than screen time at home? Emily Cherkin explains why edtech is not the solution it promised to be. Kids are getting on YouTube, Discord, and unrestricted internet access at school—and parents are being left in the dark. In this bonus episode of The Screen Less Play More Podcast, host Cynthia Dvorak sits down with Emily Cherkin, nationally known as The Screen Time Consultant, to unpack what's really happening inside tech-heavy classrooms—and why parents should be paying close attention. Emily recently testified before the U.S. Senate on the harms of EdTech, and in this conversation, she explains how school-issued iPads and classroom technology are exposing kids to online predators, violent content, self-harm videos, spam, and misinformation—often during the school day. What many parents assume is "safe, educational screen time" may actually be putting children at serious cognitive, emotional, and developmental risk. Parents are often told that classroom technology, 1:1 devices, Chromebooks, and school-issued iPads are "safe" and "educational." But the research shows that edtech is making kids more distracted, making them dumber, stealing personal information, and exposing them to online danger.  Emily also explains her class action lawsuit against PowerSchool. PowerSchool products including Schoology and Naviance are used by the vast majority of U.S. public schools. The lawsuit raises serious concerns about student data privacy, children's data collection, parental consent, and whether student information is being monetized by EdTech companies. In this episode, we discuss: iPads in the classroom and elementary school screen time Why EdTech in schools is replacing human instruction instead of supporting it How excessive screen time at school affects focus, behavior, emotional regulation, and social skills Why kids and young adults are struggling with eye contact, communication, empathy, and real-world human interaction Why most media literacy programs fail—and how real critical thinking can be taught without screens How misinformation, deepfakes, and AI tools like ChatGPT make truth harder for kids to recognize How media literacy has been co-opted by tech companies and why true critical thinking does not require a screen What parents need to understand about misinformation, deepfakes, AI tools like ChatGPT, and truth in the digital age This conversation is essential listening for parents worried about: Screen time and child development Technology in elementary school EdTech data privacy and student surveillance Online safety for kids at school Digital addiction, attention issues, and emotional dysregulation Public school iPads and 1:1 device programs and Chromebooks This episode is not anti-technology. It is pro-child, pro-parent, and pro-informed consent. 🎧 If you've ever searched: "Are iPads bad for kids?" "Too much screen time at school" "EdTech dangers" "YouTube access in schools" "Student data privacy apps" "Should kids use iPads in elementary school?" This episode answers those questions!! Emily Cherkin is the author of The Screen Time Solution and writes on Substack at First Fish Chronicles. 🌱 Learn more about reducing screen time and increasing play at screenlessplaymore.com. Subscribe, follow, and share to help other parents find trusted information about screen time, EdTech, and raising healthy kids in a digital world. More about Screen Less Play More, the best parenting podcast about kids and screens: https://screenlessplaymore.com/ Substack Youtube Welcome to the Screen Less Play More podcast — the best parenting podcast for raising balanced, confident kids in the digital age by reducing screen time, managing gaming and social media, and restoring play-based childhoods. Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak of ScreenLessPlayMore.com, we share expert advice and research-backed strategies to help parents create healthy screen habits, set realistic tech boundaries, and build stronger family connection without constant monitoring or power struggles. Each episode gives you practical tools for reducing screen time battles, ensuring online safety for kids, and age-appropriate digital limits. We discuss if there is such thing as healthy screen time, and what are some good guidelines for screen time by age. It's the podcast for moms and the podcast for dads who care about keeping kids balanced and brilliant! What's the best parenting podcast about play and screens? Check out the top 6 episodes from 2025 of Screen Less Play More : https://screenlessplaymore.com/top-rated-parenting-podcast-episodes-of-the-year-our-most-listened-most-loved-conversations/ Thanks for listening! If you click "follow" you'll make sure to never miss an episode! Screenless playmore

Are your kids safe online? From social media oversharing to gaming chats and school apps, today's children are building a digital footprint from the day they're born. In this episode of Screen Less Play More, Cynthia Dvorak sits down with cybersecurity expert Chad Rychlewski of Cybersecurity Parents to uncover the biggest mistakes parents make—and how to fix them. Learn practical tips for: Protecting your child's digital footprint from birth onward Avoiding common cybersecurity pitfalls in social media, apps, and online games Freezing your child's credit to prevent identity theft Teaching kids safe habits around browsers, passwords, and online privacy Spotting signs of cyberbullying, doxxing, and online scams Chad shares his experience guiding families through real-world cybersecurity challenges, plus step-by-step advice from his book Cybersecurity Parents: Super Cyber Smart Parenting for the Digital Age. Whether your child is in preschool or heading off to college, this episode is packed with actionable strategies every parent needs. Episode takeaways: Parents often overshare personal details about their children online. Freezing a child's credit can prevent identity theft. Active footprints are created by what we post online. Passive footprints include metadata and tracking data. Regular conversations about online safety are essential. Educational technology can track children's data without their knowledge. Doxxing involves maliciously sharing someone's private information. Cyberbullying can occur in group chats and online games. Using safe browsing modes can protect personal information. Don't use Google! Parents should regularly check privacy settings on apps. More about Screen Less Play More, the best parenting podcast about play and tech at: https://screenlessplaymore.com/ https://substack.com/@screenlessplaymore?utm_source=user-menu Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore 📚 Find the book and more resources at cybersecurityparents.com 🌐 Learn more about the best parenting podcast, Screen Less Play More at screenlessplaymore.com Protect your kids online—listen, learn, and start building safer digital habits today! Welcome to the Screen Less Play More podcast — the best parenting podcast for raising balanced, confident kids in the digital age by reducing screen time, managing gaming and social media, and restoring play-based childhoods. Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak of ScreenLessPlayMore.com, we share expert advice and research-backed strategies to help parents create healthy screen habits, set realistic tech boundaries, and build stronger family connection without constant monitoring or power struggles. Each episode gives you practical tools for reducing screen time battles, ensuring online safety for kids, and age-appropriate digital limits. We discuss if there is such thing as healthy screen time, and what are some good guidelines for screen time by age. It's the podcast for moms and the podcast for dads who care about keeping kids balanced and brilliant! But it's not all about screens! Screen Less Play More is also about the benefits of free play, outdoor play, and imaginative play so your children can thrive both online and offline. Look no further for executive tech strategies, research-backed tools, ideas for screen free entertainment, and screen free activites for kids from tiny to teenager. We are big on play, especially risky play, outdoor play, and the friluftsliv outdoor lifestyle. Through interviews with experts, educators, and authors, we aim to make you more intentional parents, mindful parents, and happy parents! Whether you're into calm parenting, gentle parenting, or FAFO parenting- we have advice that will guide your decisions around digital technology and play based learning (and play just for the sake of play!) What's the best parenting podcast about play and screens? Check out the top 6 episodes from 2025 of Screen Less Play More : https://screenlessplaymore.com/top-rated-parenting-podcast-episodes-of-the-year-our-most-listened-most-loved-conversations/ Thanks for listening! If you click "follow" you'll make sure to never miss an episode!

What happens if kids don't get smartphones or social media growing up—will they binge later? In this episode of Screen Less Play More, Cynthia continues her conversation with Clare Morell, author of The Tech Exit, to debunk one of the biggest parenting myths about kids and technology. Clare explains why delaying smartphones actually helps kids develop self-regulation, healthier habits, and awareness around screen use—often making them less likely to overuse technology as young adults. Drawing on interviews with families and college students, she shows how childhood habits shape lifelong relationships with screens. This episode also dives into practical alternatives to smartphones for kids, including child-safe phones like Pinwheel, Gabb, Bark, and Wisephone, plus realistic boundaries parents still need even with "safer" devices. Cynthia and Clare discuss modeling healthy phone use, teaching real-world life skills, and replacing screen privileges with meaningful independence and responsibility. Finally, Clare breaks down new legislation and policy efforts to protect kids online, including age-verification laws, pornography restrictions, and proposals to raise the legal age for social media. You'll learn what states are already doing, why moderation alone isn't enough, and how collective solutions can make parenting easier. The LA wallet in Louisiana is an amazing prototype of how other states can keep kids safe from porn, and let adults keep their annonymity.  If you're navigating parenting without smartphones, worried about screen addiction, or looking for safer ways to help kids grow up offline in a digital world, this episode offers clarity, research-backed insight, and hope. This is helpful wether you have toddlers, elementary kids, tweens, or teens. And Clare reminds us that it is never too late! More about Screen Less Play More, the best parenting podcast about play and tech at: https://screenlessplaymore.com/ https://substack.com/@screenlessplaymore?utm_source=user-menu Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore More about Clare's book "The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Kids and Teens from Smartphones" at https://sites.prh.com/thetechexitbook Welcome to the Screen Less Play More podcast — the best parenting podcast for raising balanced, confident kids in the digital age by reducing screen time, managing gaming and social media, and restoring play-based childhoods. Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak of ScreenLessPlayMore.com, we share expert advice and research-backed strategies to help parents create healthy screen habits, set realistic tech boundaries, and build stronger family connection without constant monitoring or power struggles. Each episode gives you practical tools for reducing screen time battles, ensuring online safety for kids, and age-appropriate digital limits. We discuss if there is such thing as healthy screen time, and what are some good guidelines for screen time by age. But it's not all about screens! Screen Less Play More is also about the benefits of free play, outdoor play, and imaginative play so your children can thrive both online and offline. Look no further for executive tech strategies, research-backed tools, ideas for screen free entertainment, and screen free activites for kids from tiny to teenager. We are big on play, especially risky play, outdoor play, and the friluftsliv outdoor lifestyle. Through interviews with experts, educators, and authors, we aim to make you more intentional parents, mindful parents, and happy parents! Whether you're into calm parenting, gentle parenting, or FAFO parenting- we have advice that will guide your decisions around digital technology and play based learning (and play just for the sake of play!) What's the best parenting podcast about play and screens? Check out the top 6 episodes from 2025 of Screen Less Play More :  https://screenlessplaymore.com/top-rated-parenting-podcast-episodes-of-the-year-our-most-listened-most-loved-conversations/ Thanks for listening! If you click "follow" you'll make sure to never miss an episode! Chapters: 00:00 Debunking Myths About Technology Use 03:51 Modeling Responsible Technology Use 05:50 Exploring Alternatives to Smartphones 08:58 Legislative Efforts for Online Safety 13:37 Empowering Kids with Real-World Responsibilities 20:03 Advocating for National Legislation on Social Media 24:48 Introduction to Screen Less Play More 24:49 The Importance of Screen Time Management

Is a smartphone-free childhood the key to raising healthier, happier kids? Author Clare Morell explains that we have a metaphor problem when it comes to digital technology. A lot of people think that time limits can mitigate the harms of screens and social media in the same way that moderation can mitigate the harms of guilty pleasures like alcohol or sugar. If you just do less of it you'll be ok, right? But Morell writes, "Let's get the metaphor right. Digital technologies are not like sugar. For the developing brains of children and teens, they are more like fentanyl." Yikes. In this episode of Screen Less Play More, Cynthia chats with Clare Morell, author of The Tech Exit, to explore why screen time moderation doesn't work—and why parents may need to rethink technology entirely. We break down how smartphones and interactive screens are intentionally designed to be addictive, especially for children, and what that means for brain development, behavior, and mental health. Clare explains why passive media like TV affects kids differently than interactive screens, how a 30-day digital detox can reset children's brains, and why it's never too late for parents to change course. You'll also hear practical strategies for creating a tech-free family culture, building parent communities for accountability, and choosing safer alternatives to smartphones for kids. This conversation goes beyond individual parenting choices to discuss how education and open dialogue help kids understand technology, and what parents can do right now to reduce screen dependence at home. If you're worried about screen addiction, kids and smartphones, online safety, or digital detox for children, this episode will challenge what you've been told—and offer a hopeful, realistic path forward. 🎧 Topics covered: • Smartphone-free childhood and healthy development • Why screen time moderation fails. Screens are a drug dispensing machine. • Interactive screens vs TV for kids • 30-day digital detox for children • Safer phone alternatives for kids • Parenting without smartphones • Building community support around tech boundaries Perfect for parents of toddlers, tweens, and teens who want to raise kids without smartphones—and without fear. For discussion guides and resources for "The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide To Freeing Kids and Teens from Smartphones" check out Thetechexit.com  More about Screen Less Play More, the best parenting podcast about play and tech at: https://screenlessplaymore.com/ https://substack.com/@screenlessplaymore?utm_source=user-menu Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore 📚 Find the book and more resources at cybersecurityparents.com 🌐 Learn more about the best parenting podcast, Screen Less Play More at screenlessplaymore.com Protect your kids online—listen, learn, and start building safer digital habits today! Welcome to the Screen Less Play More podcast — the best parenting podcast for raising balanced, confident kids in the digital age by reducing screen time, managing gaming and social media, and restoring play-based childhoods. Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak of ScreenLessPlayMore.com, we share expert advice and research-backed strategies to help parents create healthy screen habits, set realistic tech boundaries, and build stronger family connection without constant monitoring or power struggles. Each episode gives you practical tools for reducing screen time battles, ensuring online safety for kids, and age-appropriate digital limits. We discuss if there is such thing as healthy screen time, and what are some good guidelines for screen time by age. It's the podcast for moms and the podcast for dads who care about keeping kids balanced and brilliant! But it's not all about screens! Screen Less Play More is also about the benefits of free play, outdoor play, and imaginative play so your children can thrive both online and offline. Look no further for executive tech strategies, research-backed tools, ideas for screen free entertainment, and screen free activites for kids from tiny to teenager. We are big on play, especially risky play, outdoor play, and the friluftsliv outdoor lifestyle. Through interviews with experts, educators, and authors, we aim to make you more intentional parents, mindful parents, and happy parents! Whether you're into calm parenting, gentle parenting, or FAFO parenting- we have advice that will guide your decisions around digital technology and play based learning (and play just for the sake of play!) What's the best parenting podcast about play and screens? Check out the top 6 episodes from 2025 of Screen Less Play More : https://screenlessplaymore.com/top-rated-parenting-podcast-episodes-of-the-year-our-most-listened-most-loved-conversations/ Thanks for listening! If you click "follow" you'll make sure to never miss an episode! 00:00Introduction to The Tech Exit 01:01The Necessity of a Smartphone-Free Childhood 04:03Understanding the Addictive Nature of Technology 07:55The Impact of Screens on Neurodivergent Children 11:53The 30-Day Digital Detox 15:57Creating a Screen-Free Environment 20:00Building Community Support for Tech Exit 28:07Creating In-Person Connections 31:01Debunking Myths About Technology Use 34:07Modeling Responsible Technology Use 36:08Exploring Alternatives to Smartphones screenless playmore  

How do you keep tweens and teens safe online without tracking their every move or destroying trust? Parenting coach Megan Saxelby joins us to talk about online safety, managing gaming and social media, and why kids need real connection, independence, free play, and the freedom to get dirty to grow into resilient teens. Megan is so funny and relatable, and gives us parents actionable ideas to manage gaming at home, how to implement screen time boundaries, and keep kids safe on social media - without massive fights! She really emphasizes honesty and connection when implementing online safety for tweens and teens. (And she has some hilarious stories from her childhood. Her parents sound like the best!) We discuss how much kids need free play and independence, and that tracking kids is not the answer. Kids need time on their own to build resilence and grit!  You can learn more about Megan Saxelby and her company Wild Feelings at wildfeelings.co and her Substack https://wildfeelings.substack.com/ Megan, who taught middle school for 17 years, believes middle schoolers are the greatest humans alive. She shares why the cultural narrative around tweens and teens is so often wrong—and what parents can do instead to build stronger, more joyful, more resilient connections. Together, host Cynthia Dvorak and Megan dive into: ✨ the power of play in parenting teens ✨ why adolescent behavior is developmentally appropriate, not defiance ✨ how to respond when kids make mistakes in a way that preserves mental health ✨ the real impact of technology on the teen brain ✨ Parenting strategies of how parents can stay connected—even when teens push them away ✨ why YOU are the subject-matter expert on your son or daughter or non-binary LGBTQ+ child. More about Screen Less Play More, the best parenting podcast about play and tech at: https://screenlessplaymore.com/ https://substack.com/@screenlessplaymore?utm_source=user-menu Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore Welcome to the Screen Less Play More podcast — your go-to parenting show for raising balanced, confident kids in the digital age by reducing screen time, managing gaming and social media, and restoring play-based childhoods. Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak of ScreenLessPlayMore.com, we share expert advice and research-backed strategies to help parents create healthy screen habits, set realistic tech boundaries, and build stronger family connection without constant monitoring or power struggles. Each episode gives you practical tools for screen time battles, online safety for kids, age-appropriate digital limits, and the benefits of free play, outdoor play, and imaginative play so your children can thrive both online and offline. If you want a great gift for your tween to teach them about healthy tech habits, checkout the new book by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price called "The Amazing Generation!" https://screenlessplaymore.com/the-amazing-generation-is-the-anxious-generation-for-kids/ Thanks for listening! If you click "follow" you'll make sure to never miss an episode!    

Are you struggling to connect with your tween or teen—especially in a world dominated by screens, attitudes, and shifting moods? In this episode of Screen Less Play More, Cynthia Dvorak sits down with Megan Saxelby, adolescent expert and longtime middle school teacher, to completely reframe the way parents understand adolescence. Megan, who taught middle school for 17 years, believes middle schoolers are the greatest humans alive. She shares why the cultural narrative around tweens and teens is so often wrong—and what parents can do instead to build stronger, more joyful, more resilient connections. Together, Cynthia and Megan dive into: ✨ the power of play in parenting teens ✨ why adolescent behavior is developmentally appropriate, not defiance ✨ how to respond when kids make mistakes in a way that preserves mental health ✨ the real impact of technology on the teen brain ✨ Parenting strategies of how parents can stay connected—even when teens push them away ✨ why YOU are the subject-matter expert on your son or daughter or non-binary LGBTQ+ child. This conversation offers practical tools and a refreshing, hopeful perspective for parents of adolescents who want fewer power struggles… and more connection, confidence, and calm. You can connect with Megan Saxelby through her company Wild Feelings at https://www.wildfeelings.co/ or check out her VERY helpful Substack at https://wildfeelings.substack.com/  More about Screen Less Play More, the best parenting podcast about play and tech at: screenlessplaymore.com https://substack.com/@screenlessplaymore?utm_source=user-menu Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore Key Takeaways for Parents Middle schoolers are misunderstood—Megan calls them "the greatest humans alive." The negative narrative around adolescence needs a major rewrite. Being a teenager is hard, but being their parent doesn't have to be. Play—even small, simple play—builds connection with tweens and teens. Teens' "big feelings" and "big behaviors" are developmentally normal, not character flaws. Adults just need help understanding the adolescent brain. When teens mess up, it's a sign of unmet needs—not moral failure. Parents should lead with warmth, curiosity, and playfulness. Building connection with teens is important for your long-term relationship.  Technology is complex; parents need nuance, not fear. You know your child best—trust your instincts. How to talk to teens: Connection is more effective than control during adolescence. Parenting teens is a long-game of relationship building. It's hard to understand adolescent development, but once you do, you can improve parent-teen connection, help emotional regulation in teens, and improve your bond. Play-based parenting isn't just for the diaper years. Middle school parenting should include tons of playfulness, memes, jokes, pranks, and love!   Raising teenagers can be difficult in the digital world, and Megan has advice for digital parenting, screen time help for adolescents, and why it's not one size fits all with tech. Often LGBTQ youth need to see others like them online to help protect against suicide.  Checkout the new book "Dopamine Kids" https://screenlessplaymore.com/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-the-new-book-dopamine-kids/ What is the best parenting podcast about screen time and kids? https://screenlessplaymore.com/screen-less-play-more-podcast/ Learn about Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price's new book "The Amazing Generation" at https://screenlessplaymore.com/the-amazing-generation-is-the-anxious-generation-for-kids/ What are the best parenting books about screen time? https://screenlessplaymore.com/what-are-the-best-parenting-books-about-screen-time/ Check out my Substack! https://screenlessplaymorepodcast.substack.com/p/you-could-learn-a-lot-from-an-oompa https://screenlessplaymorepodcast.substack.com/p/screen-free-sunday-is-the-best-thing https://screenlessplaymorepodcast.substack.com/p/edtech-is-bad-for-kids-heres-how Thanks for listening!

This encore episode remains one of the most replayed conversations in the Screen Less Play More vault. Are your kids addicted to screens—or does it feel like it? In this episode of Screen Less Play More, executive function specialist Michael McLeod (Grow Now ADHD) explains why screen addiction in kids, digital overload, and excessive screen time are becoming some of the biggest challenges modern parents face. Michael shares: "I've never worked with a single family who reduced screens and regretted it. Every one saw a new child—better sleep, better behavior, better social skills, and better success at school." If you're dealing with iPad addiction, video game addiction, ADHD and screen time struggles, or daily meltdowns when it's time to turn devices off, you'll learn practical, research-informed strategies to finally get control of technology in your home. Michael explains why executive function skills—not IQ or grades—predict lifelong success, and how too much exposure to screens weakens attention, emotional regulation, independence, and motivation. You'll hear how these skills develop through screen-free activities, real conversations, and relationship-based play. Learn more about Michael and GrowNowADHD at their website. More from Mike about kids & tech at:  https://screenlessplaymore.com/help-my-kids-are-addicted-to-screens-now-what/ Host Cynthia Dvorak, founder of Screen Less Play More, guides a deeply actionable conversation covering: The real signs of screen addiction in children Recommended screen time limits by age How much screen time is too much for developing brains The connection between ADHD, behavior, and screens How excessive screen use impacts sleep, learning, mental health, and social skills What to do if you feel addicted to your phone too Evidence-based strategies for reducing screen time without fights How to set screen rules, create screen-free zones, and build healthy routines What a screen time parenting support coach is—and how they help families Easy, fun screen-free activities that build attention and emotional regulation How to raise tech-healthy, emotionally resilient, creatively engaged kids This episode empowers parents who want a more balanced approach to technology, fewer battles, better behavior, and a calmer, more connected home. If you've wondered how to get your child off screens, how to stop power struggles, or how to build healthier digital habits, this conversation is for you. What is the best parenting podcast about screen time and kids?  Welcome to the Screen Less Play More podcast — your go-to parenting show for raising balanced, confident kids in the digital age by reducing screen time, managing gaming and social media, and restoring play-based childhoods. Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak of ScreenLessPlayMore.com, we share expert advice and research-backed strategies to help parents create healthy screen habits, set realistic tech boundaries, and build stronger family connection without constant monitoring or power struggles. Each episode gives you practical tools for screen time battles, online safety for kids, age-appropriate digital limits, and the benefits of free play, outdoor play, and imaginative play so your children can thrive both online and offline. Join our newsletter on substack for updates and bonus content! https://substack.com/@screenlessplaymore?utm_source=user-menu Website & Blog: https://screenlessplaymore.com Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore Should I Get My Kid A Phone? No!!  Here's 50 Reasons to Delay Getting Your Child A Smart Phone  

AI safety for kids is key, and we have what parents need to know about chatbots, deepfakes, and digital literacy. Julia Storm of ReConnect debunks the myths around artificial intelligence and gives you the digital safety conversation that every parent needs.  Julia shares insights on how to guide children through the digital landscape while fostering critical thinking and self-awareness. She explains that AI chatbots can reinforce negative mental health issues in vulnerable children. She discusses with host Cynthia Dvorak that regulation of Artificial Intelligence technology is necessary to protect children. Parenting is tough in this new digital world, but Screen Less Play More makes it easier! Takeaways: AI chatbots can create confusion for children who think they're interacting with humans. Children's brains are easily duped by realistic AI interactions. Some of the current popular chatbots are ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity AI, Grok, Pi AI, and the most dangerous to children is Character AI. One-way friendships with AI lack the fulfillment of real relationships. Children's input in AI interactions is ultimately valueless. Not all children respond to technology in the same way; vulnerability varies, especially if they are depressed, lonely, neurodivergent, ADHD, on the Autism spectrum, or anxious. AI can exacerbate existing mental health issues in children. Parents need to be proactive in regulating their children's access to AI. Media literacy is crucial in helping children discern real from fake content. AI-generated content poses new risks, including deep fakes and misinformation. Open conversations about technology can empower children to navigate digital challenges.   Welcome to the Screen Less Play More podcast — your go-to parenting show for raising balanced, confident kids in the digital age by reducing screen time, managing gaming and social media, and restoring play-based childhoods. Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak of ScreenLessPlayMore.com, we share expert advice and research-backed strategies to help parents create healthy screen habits, set realistic tech boundaries, and build stronger family connection without constant monitoring or power struggles. Each episode gives you practical tools for screen time battles, online safety for kids, age-appropriate digital limits, and the benefits of free play, outdoor play, and imaginative play so your children can thrive both online and offline. Join our newsletter on substack for updates and bonus content! https://substack.com/@screenlessplaymore?utm_source=user-menu Website & Blog: https://screenlessplaymore.com Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore   You can get more great info from Julia Storm at her website https://www.reconnect-families.com/   Should I Give My Child a Smart Phone For Christmas? No!  Here's 50 reasons why: https://screenlessplaymore.com/should-i-give-my-kid-a-phone-for-christmas-no-heres-50-reasons-to-delay/    

In this episode, we dive into Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff, exploring what modern parents can learn from the child-rearing practices of hunter-gatherer societies. Discover how less structured play, more independence, and strong parent-child connection can help raise resilient, confident, and happy kids.  I'll give you a quick summary that you can listen to on the way to work, or during that never-ending laundry folding session.  Author Michaleen Doucleff studied three ancient cultures whose children are still happy and helpful, and boiled it down to two important things.  Let your children help!! It may take longer, but it pays off. Don't yell at your children. I'm not kidding! It's soooooo hard but I give you Michaleen's tips here on how to do it successfully. She wants us to be as calm as "Mister Rogers stoned." I'm in! Listen in to hear the main points-  because I know you're too busy stepping on Legos and driving to the store to read a full book! We cover key lessons including: How free play and outdoor exploration boost social, emotional, and cognitive development Why micromanaging or over-scheduling can harm children's growth How hunter-gatherer insights can help modern parents balance screen time, social pressures, and family connection Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or educator, this episode offers research-backed strategies to raise self-reliant, resilient kids while encouraging curiosity, creativity, and real-world problem-solving. Listen now to get actionable tips for raising independent, confident children without over-monitoring or over-scheduling, straight from the lessons of hunter-gatherer parenting. I hope you enjoy this summary of "Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans." By Michaeleen Doucleff. What is the best parenting podcast about screen time and kids?  Welcome to the Screen Less Play More podcast — your go-to parenting show for raising balanced, confident kids in the digital age by reducing screen time, managing gaming and social media, and restoring play-based childhoods. Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak of ScreenLessPlayMore.com, we share expert advice and research-backed strategies to help parents create healthy screen habits, set realistic tech boundaries, and build stronger family connection without constant monitoring or power struggles. Each episode gives you practical tools for screen time battles, online safety for kids, age-appropriate digital limits, and the benefits of free play, outdoor play, and imaginative play so your children can thrive both online and offline. Join our newsletter on substack for updates and bonus content! https://substack.com/@screenlessplaymore?utm_source=user-menu Website & Blog: https://screenlessplaymore.com Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore Should I Get My Kid A Phone? No!!  Here's 50 Reasons to Delay Getting Your Child A Smart Phone Thanks for listening! Click "follow" or "subscribe" so that you never miss an episode!

How do we raise boys in the age of Andrew Tate and other toxic masculinity influencers? Julia Storm explains what the Manosphere is and how we can protect our kids from it. Host Cynthia Dvorak and Julia Storm discuss: The Manosphere includes various groups that promote misogynistic ideas. Influencers can subtly introduce harmful rhetoric while providing positive content. Memes play a significant role in shaping boys' perceptions of masculinity. Misogynistic rhetoric can lead to dangerous beliefs about women. Who to watch out for: Fresh and Fit podcast, Andrew Tate, Logan Paul, Jordan Peterson, Joe Rogan, Theo Vaughn, iShowSpeed, Sneako, and Aidan Ross. More from Julia Storm at https://www.reconnect-families.com/ Welcome to Screen Less Play More Podcast! Thanks for listening! Click "follow" or "subscribe" so that you never miss an episode! What is the best parenting podcast about screen time and kids?  Welcome to the Screen Less Play More podcast — your go-to parenting show for raising balanced, confident kids in the digital age by reducing screen time, managing gaming and social media, and restoring play-based childhoods. Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak of ScreenLessPlayMore.com, we share expert advice and research-backed strategies to help parents create healthy screen habits, set realistic tech boundaries, and build stronger family connection without constant monitoring or power struggles. Each episode gives you practical tools for screen time battles, online safety for kids, age-appropriate digital limits, and the benefits of free play, outdoor play, and imaginative play so your children can thrive both online and offline. Join our newsletter on substack for updates and bonus content! https://substack.com/@screenlessplaymore?utm_source=user-menu Website & Blog: https://screenlessplaymore.com Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore Should I Get My Kid A Phone? No!!   Here's 50 Reasons to Delay Getting Your Child A Smart Phone Checkout the new book "Dopamine Kids"  https://screenlessplaymore.com/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-the-new-book-dopamine-kids/ Learn about Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price's new book "The Amazing Generation" at  https://screenlessplaymore.com/the-amazing-generation-is-the-anxious-generation-for-kids/

What happens when kids don't get to move, climb, or play freely anymore? In this episode, Angela Hanscom, pediatric OT and author of Balanced and Barefoot, joins Screen Less Play More to talk about the developmental, emotional, and sensory toll of play deprivation — and why restoring free play may be the best thing parents can do for their children. The solution is so easy - let them play! Why is play good for kids? Spinning in circles, rolling down hills, and jumping off boulders is not just for fun... it's developmentally NECESSARY for children to turn into healthy adults.  Kids are falling out of chairs, breaking pencil tips, hitting too hard when playing tag, and getting occupational therapy at alarming rates. What can we do?  In this episode, Angela Hanscom, the founder of Timbernook explores how free play (especially outdoor play) supports child development, sensory regulation, and emotional resilience. We discuss risky play, the need for recess, and the need for independent play in childhood, preschool, and elementary years. You'll love this especially if you're part of the Waldorf, Montessori, or Reggio Emilia approach to learning. Welcome to Screen Less Play More Podcast! Thanks for listening! Click "follow" or "subscribe" so that you never miss an episode! What is the best parenting podcast about screen time and kids?  More about Screen Less Play More, the best parenting podcast about play and tech at: https://screenlessplaymore.com/ https://substack.com/@screenlessplaymore?utm_source=user-menu Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore Welcome to the Screen Less Play More podcast — the best parenting podcast for raising balanced, confident kids in the digital age by reducing screen time, managing gaming and social media, and restoring play-based childhoods. Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak of ScreenLessPlayMore.com, we share expert advice and research-backed strategies to help parents create healthy screen habits, set realistic tech boundaries, and build stronger family connection without constant monitoring or power struggles. Each episode gives you practical tools for reducing screen time battles, ensuring online safety for kids, and age-appropriate digital limits. We discuss if there is such thing as healthy screen time, and what are some good guidelines for screen time by age. It's the podcast for moms and the podcast for dads who care about keeping kids balanced and brilliant! But it's not all about screens! Screen Less Play More is also about the benefits of free play, outdoor play, and imaginative play so your children can thrive both online and offline. Look no further for executive tech strategies, research-backed tools, ideas for screen free entertainment, and screen free activites for kids from tiny to teenager. We are big on play, especially risky play, outdoor play, and the friluftsliv outdoor lifestyle. Through interviews with experts, educators, and authors, we aim to make you more intentional parents, mindful parents, and happy parents! Whether you're into calm parenting, gentle parenting, or FAFO parenting- we have advice that will guide your decisions around digital technology and play based learning (and play just for the sake of play!) What's the best parenting podcast about play and screens? Check out the top 6 episodes from 2025 of Screen Less Play More : https://screenlessplaymore.com/top-rated-parenting-podcast-episodes-of-the-year-our-most-listened-most-loved-conversations/ screenless playmore Thanks for listening! If you click "follow" you'll make sure to never miss an episode!

Kat Zilka was a high school teacher who realized that her students were in a real mental health crisis. She asked her students to write an essay about their relationship to their phones, and was shocked to read their confessions. "Honestly, if you were to read the essays and insert another substance, like alcohol or drugs into, in place of the phone or in place of social media, it would have been addicts crying for help." Kat formed Dis/Connect to help teens cultivate a more healthy relationship with tech and social media. Our Screen Less Play More podcast interview has some fascinating insights. Learn more about Disconnect at https://www.disconnectme.org/ Join my substack! https://screenlessplaymorepodcast.substack.com/ Get more insider content from this podcast by joining The Players Club on Apple Podcasts! Welcome to the Screen Less Play More Podcast with Cynthia Dvorak! Discover the benefits of less screen time for children and practical strategies to reduce screen use as a family. Learn about screen time guidelines by age, how Big Tech targets our kids, and how to stay screenstrong. Learn how to manage kids & screens, how to find a screentime solution, and tips on raising good humans! Whether you have babies, toddlers, elementary kids, or teens, this show give you advice on managing tech and life! You will feel good inside once you learn about the benefits of play, and why play is vital to childhood! It isn't always just about discipline, it's about information, research, and facts.  Modern parents are constantly asking:  What are the recommended screen time limits for children by age?  How can I reduce my child's screen time? How do I get my child off screens? How do I get my son off video games? What are the negative effects of too much screen time on kids?  What are the signs of screen addiction? What should I do if my child is addicted to screens?  What do I do about kids and technology? How do I get my child off screens without a fight? How do you stop screen addiction? Does my child have a video game addiction? What are the benefits of play? How do I get my kids to play more? What are the benefits of reading to kids? What's the best podcast about screens and kids? What is the power of play? What is the Anxious Generation about? How does screen time affect sleep, physical health and mental-well being? Is my child's screen time interfering with their sleep? How to create healthy screen habits? Cynthia Dvorak, founder of Screen Less Play More, was inspired by The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast and the great role of Ginny Yurich, as well as amazing books like "Hunt, Gather, Parent" by Michaleen Doucleff and "The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. She puts her writing and journalism skills together with interviews of authors and experts, to help parents navigate the new era of parenting in the digital world! Youtube link to this episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBXOGzjQ9JE Website & Blog: https://screenlessplaymore.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559041665093 What is the best parenting podcast about screen time and kids? https://screenlessplaymore.com/screen-less-play-more-podcast/ Learn about Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price's new book "The Amazing Generation" at https://screenlessplaymore.com/the-amazing-generation-is-the-anxious-generation-for-kids/ Help! My kids are addicted to screens, now what? https://screenlessplaymore.com/help-my-kids-are-addicted-to-screens-now-what/ Is social media safe for kids? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PybOb60ak0E&t=618s https://screenlessplaymore.com/is-social-media-safe-for-kids/ What are the best parenting books about screen time? https://screenlessplaymore.com/what-are-the-best-parenting-books-about-screen-time/ Checkout the new book by Michaleen Doucleff!  Dopamine Kids book https://screenlessplaymore.com/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-the-new-book-dopamine-kids/ Snapchat thought I was 15. What it showed me was shocking   https://screenlessplaymore.com/snapchat-thought-i-was-15-what-it-showed-me-was-shocking/ Best Halloween books for kids https://screenlessplaymore.com/halloween-books-to-read-with-your-kids-this-fall/    

"Instead of doing what's best for the kids, we're doing what's easier or most practical." -  Linda Åkeson McGurk   In this conversation, Cynthia and Linda Akeson McGurk explore the differences in parenting styles between the US and Sweden, emphasizing the importance of outdoor play, resilience, and a connection to nature. Linda shares her experiences growing up in Sweden and raising her children in Indiana, contrasting the cultural emphasis on free play and the benefits of outdoor activities. They discuss the impact of technology on childhood, the role of community in supporting outdoor play, and the need for a shift in parenting philosophies to prioritize children's well-being and creativity.   If you want even more from this episode, become a subscriber at Apple Podcasts and join THE PLAYERS CLUB.... Where 'Screen Less Play More' insiders get smart about screens and serious about play! You can hear 13 bonus minutes from this episode where we discuss how outdoor play is essential for children's mental health and well-being, as well as how exposure to nature fosters a sense of environmental responsiblity in children. Linda addresses how children's anxiety and depression may stem from a lack of free play, and how parents' attitudes towards weather can influence children's willingness to play outside. Listen at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/screen-less-play-more/id1808977425  Linda wrote the fantastic book "There's No Such Thing As Bad Weather : A Scandinavian Mom's Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids" (from Friluftsliv to Hygge)   Get your copy at https://bookshop.org/a/116371/9781501143632   Welcome to the Screen Less Play More Podcast with Cynthia Dvorak! Discover the benefits of less screen time for children and practical strategies to reduce screen use as a family. Learn how Big Tech targets our kids, and how to stay screenstrong. Learn how to manage kids & screens, how to find a screentime solution, and tips on raising good humans! Whether you have babies, toddlers, elementary kids, tweens, or teens, this show will give you advice on managing tech and life! You will feel good inside once you learn about the benefits of play, and why play is vital to childhood!  Modern parents are constantly asking:  What is free play and why is it important? How much free play time does my child need each day? What kinds of toys or materials support open-ended play? How can I encourage my child to play independently? What is the role of parents during children's play (when to intervene, when to step back)? Are there risks to letting children play freely? What if my child "doesn't know how to play" or seems bored? How do you balance structured activities versus free play? Does play actually support learning (e.g. academic, social, emotional)? What types of play help with language development, creativity, problem solving? How much outdoor time is healthy for preschoolers / young children? What are the benefits of outdoor play? What if the weather is bad (rain, snow, cold) — can children still play outside? What safety precautions should I take when kids play outside (insects, plants, hazards)? How do I support risky play (climbing, exploring) in a safe way? How do I encourage a child who prefers to stay indoors or play with screens to go outside more? What do I do about limited access to nature (urban settings, apartment life)? When is it "too hot" or "too cold" to let children play outdoors? Cynthia Dvorak, founder of Screen Less Play More, is inspired by organizations like GrowNow ADHD, The Screentime Solution, Scrolling2Death, Protect Young Eyes, Screen Strong, OK To Delay, and 1000 Hours Outside, as well as amazing books like "Hunt, Gather, Parent" by Michaleen Doucleff and "The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. She puts her writing and journalism skills together with interviews of authors and experts, to help parents navigate the new era of parenting in the digital world! Join our newsletter on substack for updates and bonus content! https://substack.com/@screenlessplaymore?utm_source=user-menu Website & Blog: https://screenlessplaymore.com/  Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore Checkout the new book "Dopamine Kids"  https://screenlessplaymore.com/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-the-new-book-dopamine-kids/ What is the best parenting podcast about screen time and kids? https://screenlessplaymore.com/screen-less-play-more-podcast/ Learn about Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price's new book "The Amazing Generation" at https://screenlessplaymore.com/the-amazing-generation-is-the-anxious-generation-for-kids/ What are the best parenting books about screen time? https://screenlessplaymore.com/what-are-the-best-parenting-books-about-screen-time/ Where can I find online training safety classes for tweens and teens   https://screenlessplaymore.com/online-safety-training-for-tweens-teens/ Gift ideas to keep kids busy without screens    https://screenlessplaymore.com/gift-ideas-for-screen-free-toys/ Classic outdoor games for kids   https://screenlessplaymore.com/games-for-kids-to-play-outside/ How to start doing Screen Free Sunday!   https://screenlessplaymore.com/screen-free-days-are-easier-than-you-think/ Thanks for listening! screenless playmore screen time battles  More questions that this podcast will answer! Why is free play important for preschoolers?" "How much time should a child spend in unstructured play per day?" "What are good open-ended toys for toddlers?" "Risks and benefits of risky play outdoors" "Outdoor play when it's cold / rainy / snowing with preschoolers" "How to limit screen time and promote play" "Does play help with language development?" "Signs that my child is overscheduled" "Does outdoor play reduce behavioral problems?"

What if the biggest mistake parents are making with technology is believing parental controls actually work? In this episode of Screen Less Play More, parenting educator and former middle school teacher Emily Cherkin exposes the uncomfortable truth about parental controls, "kid-safe" tech, and why most digital guardrails fail long before parents realize it. Emily explains how children easily bypass filters, why tech companies profit from parents' false sense of security, and how technology is increasingly being used to solve problems it created in the first place. We unpack why smartphones undermine independence, self-regulation, and real-world problem solving—and why delaying phones isn't deprivation, but protection. This conversation goes beyond screen time limits to examine how school-issued devices, educational technology, AI tools, and constant connectivity are reshaping attention, learning, privacy, and childhood itself. Emily shares why phones don't belong in bedrooms, how modeling behavior matters more than rules, and what parents can do today to raise kids who are confident, capable, and emotionally resilient without relying on apps to do the parenting for them. Emily and Cynthia's conversation will help you tremendously if you are dealing with the following: Are you struggling to limit your child's screen time without daily battles? Do parental controls really protect your kids online—or are they giving you a false sense of security? How much screen time is too much for your child's brain development? Are smartphones and iPads hurting your child's focus, independence, or social skills? Why does your child keep bypassing every parental control you set? How can parents model healthy technology use without being hypocrites? What skills are kids missing when screens replace real-world play and relationships? How do you teach media literacy so your child can spot ads, misinformation, and online manipulation? Are schools giving kids too much access to technology and AI tools before they're ready? How can we raise independent, critical-thinking kids in a world full of addictive apps and social media? What's the best way to balance screens, play, and family connection in today's digital world? If you want even more from this episode, become a subscriber at Apple Podcasts and join THE PLAYERS CLUB.... Where 'Screen Less Play More' insiders get smart about screens and serious about play! You can hear ten bonus minutes from this episode where Emily discusses her lawsuit against PowerSchool, the state of young professionals today, and how to make your kids media savy! Welcome to Screen Less Play More Podcast! Thanks for listening! Click "follow" or "subscribe" so that you never miss an episode! More about Screen Less Play More, the best parenting podcast about play and tech at: https://screenlessplaymore.com/ https://substack.com/@screenlessplaymore?utm_source=user-menu Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore Welcome to the Screen Less Play More podcast — the best parenting podcast for raising balanced, confident kids in the digital age by reducing screen time, managing gaming and social media, and restoring play-based childhoods. Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak of ScreenLessPlayMore.com, we share expert advice and research-backed strategies to help parents create healthy screen habits, set realistic tech boundaries, and build stronger family connection without constant monitoring or power struggles. Each episode gives you practical tools for reducing screen time battles, ensuring online safety for kids, and age-appropriate digital limits. We discuss if there is such thing as healthy screen time, and what are some good guidelines for screen time by age. It's the podcast for moms and the podcast for dads who care about keeping kids balanced and brilliant! But it's not all about screens! Screen Less Play More is also about the benefits of free play, outdoor play, and imaginative play so your children can thrive both online and offline. Look no further for executive tech strategies, research-backed tools, ideas for screen free entertainment, and screen free activites for kids from tiny to teenager. We are big on play, especially risky play, outdoor play, and the friluftsliv outdoor lifestyle. Through interviews with experts, educators, and authors, we aim to make you more intentional parents, mindful parents, and happy parents! Whether you're into calm parenting, gentle parenting, or FAFO parenting- we have advice that will guide your decisions around digital technology and play based learning (and play just for the sake of play!) What is the best parenting podcast about screen time and kids?  What's the best parenting podcast about play and screens? Check out the top 6 episodes from 2025 of Screen Less Play More : https://screenlessplaymore.com/top-rated-parenting-podcast-episodes-of-the-year-our-most-listened-most-loved-conversations/ screenless playmore Thanks for listening! If you click "follow" you'll make sure to never miss an episode!

Welcome to "Book Bites" by Screen Less Play More. I know you're too busy stepping on Legos or driving to the grocery store to read a whole book. So I'm going to tell you the main takeaways of "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt. Now you can get smart, AND fold the laundry or drive to work! In Jonathan Haidt's book, he explains "How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness." (And he recently teamed-up with Catherine Price to write a kid version of his book called "The Amazing Generation.") I will answer: What are the main points of The Anxious Generation? What are the 4 rules of The Anxious Generation? Suggestions from The Anxious Generation What is The Anxious Generation theory? What are the 4 foundational harms caused by a phone-based childhood? What can we do about it? Welcome to the Screen Less Play More Podcast with Cynthia Dvorak! Discover the benefits of less screen time for children and practical strategies to reduce screen use as a family. Learn how Big Tech targets our kids, and how to stay screenstrong. Learn how to manage kids & screens, how to find a screentime solution, and tips on raising good humans! Whether you have babies, toddlers, elementary kids, tweens, or teens, this show will give you advice on managing tech and life! You will feel good inside once you learn about the benefits of play, and why play is vital to childhood!  Cynthia Dvorak, founder of Screen Less Play More, is inspired by organizations like GrowNow, The Screentime Solution, Scrolling2Death, Protect Young Eyes, Screen Strong, OK To Delay, and 1000 Hours Outside, as well as amazing books like "Hunt, Gather, Parent" by Michaleen Doucleff and "The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. She puts her writing and journalism skills together with interviews of authors and experts, to help parents navigate the new era of parenting in the digital world! Join our newsletter on substack for updates and bonus content! https://substack.com/@screenlessplaymore?utm_source=user-menu Website & Blog: https://screenlessplaymore.com/  Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore Checkout the new book "Dopamine Kids"  https://screenlessplaymore.com/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-the-new-book-dopamine-kids/ What is the best parenting podcast about screen time and kids? https://screenlessplaymore.com/screen-less-play-more-podcast/ Learn about Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price's new book "The Amazing Generation" at https://screenlessplaymore.com/the-amazing-generation-is-the-anxious-generation-for-kids/ Help! My kids are addicted to screens, now what? https://screenlessplaymore.com/help-my-kids-are-addicted-to-screens-now-what/ What are the best parenting books about screen time? https://screenlessplaymore.com/what-are-the-best-parenting-books-about-screen-time/ Why are kids addicted to screens? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBXOGzjQ9JE&t=742s https://screenlessplaymore.com/why-are-kids-so-addicted-to-screens-hint-its-by-design/ How Generative AI can rot your brain  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJjlerRBqqw&t=1355s Why is play important for children? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iWaIyA5FmY&t=1412s Where can I find online training safety classes for tweens and teens   https://screenlessplaymore.com/online-safety-training-for-tweens-teens/ Gift ideas to keep kids busy without screens    https://screenlessplaymore.com/gift-ideas-for-screen-free-toys/ Classic outdoor games for kids   https://screenlessplaymore.com/games-for-kids-to-play-outside/ How to start doing Screen Free Sunday!   https://screenlessplaymore.com/screen-free-days-are-easier-than-you-think/   Thanks for listening! screenless playmore book club books for parents books for moms books for dads best books about screen time and parenting and technology top books of 2025 podcasts for moms podcasts for parents  

"We have decided to put the world's most brilliant software engineers in kids' pockets, and we've expected them to exert a level of self-control that you and I never had as children. It's not their fault."  - Chris McKenna Chris McKenna of Protect Young Eyes has some incredibly insightful tips for parents. He says that having a "porn talk" with our kids can be as quick and easy as a ten-second mention on the car ride to school, or a fifiteen-second sentence before bedtime. Early and often is the key. They don't need to applaud, they don't even need to respond, you just need to say SOMETHING to make kids aware that there is inappropriate content out there, and you are a safe person to tell when they see it. It's time to talk to your kids about porn, and Chris tells you the easy way to do it! Chris talks to us about online pornography, social media, AI in schools, EdTech, and so much more! One of our best episodes ever! Learn more at https://www.protectyoungeyes.com Welcome to the Screen Less Play More Podcast with Cynthia Dvorak! Discover the benefits of less screen time for children and practical strategies to reduce screen use as a family. Learn how Big Tech targets our kids, and how to stay screenstrong. Learn how to manage kids & screens, how to find a screentime solution, and tips on raising good humans! Whether you have babies, toddlers, elementary kids, tweens, or teens, this show will give you advice on managing tech and life! You will feel good inside once you learn about the benefits of play, and why play is vital to childhood!  Modern parents are constantly asking:  What are the recommended screen time limits for children by age?  Is Snapchat safe? Is Roblox safe? Is social media safe for kids? How do I install parental controls? How do I talk to my kids about porn? What do I do if I find porn on my child's phone? How do I keep my kids away from porn? What is a router? What are the best parental controls? What are the best screen time controls? What do I do about kids and technology? How do I get my child off screens without a fight? How do you stop screen addiction? How does screen time affect sleep, physical health and mental-well being? Is my child's screen time interfering with their sleep? How to create healthy screen habits? Cynthia Dvorak, founder of Screen Less Play More, is inspired by organizations like GrowNow, The Screentime Solution, Scrolling2Death, Protect Young Eyes, Screen Strong, OK To Delay, and 1000 Hours Outside, as well as amazing books like "Hunt, Gather, Parent" by Michaleen Doucleff and "The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. She puts her writing and journalism skills together with interviews of authors and experts, to help parents navigate the new era of parenting in the digital world! Join our newsletter on substack for updates and bonus content! https://substack.com/@screenlessplaymore?utm_source=user-menu Website & Blog: https://screenlessplaymore.com/ Spotify link https://open.spotify.com/show/1l08HO7kVw0nv7xnGE9RQ6?si=a915a02eb87d4359 Apple link https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/screen-less-play-more/id1808977425 Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore Checkout the new book "Dopamine Kids"  https://screenlessplaymore.com/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-the-new-book-dopamine-kids/ What is the best parenting podcast about screen time and kids? https://screenlessplaymore.com/screen-less-play-more-podcast/ Learn about Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price's new book "The Amazing Generation" at https://screenlessplaymore.com/the-amazing-generation-is-the-anxious-generation-for-kids/ Help! My kids are addicted to screens, now what? https://screenlessplaymore.com/help-my-kids-are-addicted-to-screens-now-what/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6tYVFH0D-4&t=2580s   Is social media safe for kids? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PybOb60ak0E&t=618s https://screenlessplaymore.com/is-social-media-safe-for-kids/   What are the best parenting books about screen time? https://screenlessplaymore.com/what-are-the-best-parenting-books-about-screen-time/   Why are kids addicted to screens? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBXOGzjQ9JE&t=742s https://screenlessplaymore.com/why-are-kids-so-addicted-to-screens-hint-its-by-design/ How Generative AI can rot your brain  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJjlerRBqqw&t=1355s Why is play important for children? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iWaIyA5FmY&t=1412s Where can I find online training safety classes for tweens and teens   https://screenlessplaymore.com/online-safety-training-for-tweens-teens/ Gift ideas to keep kids busy without screens    https://screenlessplaymore.com/gift-ideas-for-screen-free-toys/ Classic outdoor games for kids   https://screenlessplaymore.com/games-for-kids-to-play-outside/ How to start doing Screen Free Sunday!   https://screenlessplaymore.com/screen-free-days-are-easier-than-you-think/ Thanks for listening!

"This idea that we need to minimize risk taking or dangerous elements has really created, unfortunately, a world where there's not a lot of challenge for children. And this has a lot of negative benefits on children's health, development and well-being. Children will find challenges. And if we don't have them available in the playgrounds... then children are going to probably seek it out in areas that are more hazardous."  - Rachel Ramsden We have an excellent episode for you with Rachel Ramsden, a researcher at the University of British Columbia, where she works with Dr. Mariana Brussoni, a legend in play research. Rachel helps us answer the questions: Are playgrounds too safe? What would the perfect playground look like? Do we give children enough chance for risk and independence? What is risky play? How much play do children need each day? What is free play?  How much should parents be involved in the play of their children? How much recess should kids get? A special thanks to Rachel Ramsden and her entire team that she works with at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Especially her advisor, Dr. Mariana Brussoni, who has done so much work through the years about play, and whose research on which a lot of this is based. Welcome to the Screen Less Play More Podcast with Cynthia Dvorak! Discover the benefits of less screen time for children and practical strategies to reduce screen use as a family. Learn about screen time guidelines by age, how Big Tech targets our kids, and how to stay screenstrong. Learn how to manage kids & screens, how to find a screentime solution, and tips on raising good humans! Whether you have babies, toddlers, elementary kids, or teens, this show give you advice on managing tech and life! You will feel good inside once you learn about the benefits of play, and why play is vital to childhood! Modern parents are constantly asking:  What are the recommended screen time limits for children by age?  How can I reduce my child's screen time? How do I get my child off screens? What are the negative effects of too much screen time on kids?  How do I get my child off screens without a fight? What are the benefits of play? How does screen time affect sleep, physical health and mental-well being? Is my child's screen time interfering with their sleep? How to create healthy screen habits? Cynthia Dvorak, founder of Screen Less Play More, is inspired by organizations like GrowNow, The Screentime Solution, Scrolling2Death, Protect Young Eyes, Screen Strong, OK To Delay, and 1000 Hours Outside, as well as amazing books like "Hunt, Gather, Parent" by Michaleen Doucleff and "The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. She puts her writing and journalism skills together with interviews of authors and experts, to help parents navigate the new era of parenting in the digital world! Website screenlessplaymore.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559041665093  What is the best parenting podcast about screen time and kids? https://screenlessplaymore.com/screen-less-play-more-podcast/ Learn about Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price's new book "The Amazing Generation" at https://screenlessplaymore.com/the-amazing-generation-is-the-anxious-generation-for-kids/ Help! My kids are addicted to screens, now what? https://screenlessplaymore.com/help-my-kids-are-addicted-to-screens-now-what/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6tYVFH0D-4&t=2580s Is social media safe for kids? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PybOb60ak0E&t=618s https://screenlessplaymore.com/is-social-media-safe-for-kids/ What are the best parenting books about screen time? https://screenlessplaymore.com/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-the-new-book-dopamine-kids/ I'm so excited to read "Dopamine Kids" by Michaeleen Doucleff! https://screenlessplaymore.com/what-are-the-best-parenting-books-about-screen-time/ Why are kids addicted to screens? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBXOGzjQ9JE&t=742s https://screenlessplaymore.com/why-are-kids-so-addicted-to-screens-hint-its-by-design/ Is my child ready for a phone? https://screenlessplaymore.com/your-summer-survival-guide/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5N80zMPRFs&t=37s Spotify link https://open.spotify.com/show/1l08HO7kVw0nv7xnGE9RQ6?si=a915a02eb87d4359 Apple link https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/screen-less-play-more/id1808977425 Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore How Generative AI can rot your brain  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJjlerRBqqw&t=1355s Why is play important for children? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iWaIyA5FmY&t=1412s Where can I find online training safety classes for tweens and teens? https://screenlessplaymore.com/online-safety-training-for-tweens-teens/ Gift ideas to keep kids busy without screens https://screenlessplaymore.com/gift-ideas-for-screen-free-toys/ Classic outdoor games for kids https://screenlessplaymore.com/games-for-kids-to-play-outside/ https://screenlessplaymore.com/screen-free-days-are-easier-than-you-think/   Thanks for listening!

If you think Snapchat is just for funny filters, think again. I made a fake Snapchat account, saying that I was a 15 year-old girl. Within less than 30 minutes, the algorithm fed me erotica, links to porn, and creepy religious fanaticism.  Our guest Sarah Gallagher Trombley is a former Snapchat executive, and tells us exactly how to avoid these dangers. Sarah is an expert on parental controls, cell phone safety, and social media. She explains how parents can keep kids safe from online predators, sextortion, and inappropriate content. Sarah is offering a webinar in conjunction with Healthy Screen Habits called: Safe Social Media?!?! How To Make Social Media As Safe As It CAN Be - the 3 part webinar series co-created by Digital Mom Media and Healthy Screen Habits. Live sessions are September 8th, 15th and 22nd at 8pm EST. The on-demand version will be available on October 1.   Link for tickets: https://tixoom.app/digitalmom/bundles/nj6merus   Link for interest in a Digital Parenting Book Club: https://forms.gle/yxMVrKyBFbxWZBcr6 For anyone interested in participating in a Virtual Book Club this Fall please sign up with this link and answer a few questions for us! Visit Sarah's excellent Substack, Thoughts From A Digital Mom at https://tfadigitalmom.substack.com/ Welcome to the Screen Less Play More Podcast with Cynthia Dvorak! Discover the benefits of less screen time for children and practical strategies to reduce screen use as a family. Learn about screen time guidelines by age, how Big Tech targets our kids, and how to stay screenstrong. Learn how to manage kids & screens, how to find a screentime solution, and tips on raising good humans! Whether you have babies, toddlers, elementary kids, or teens, this show give you advice on managing tech and life! You will feel good inside once you learn about the benefits of play, and why play is vital to childhood! It isn't always just about discipline, it's about information, research, and facts.  Modern parents are constantly asking:  What are the recommended screen time limits for children by age?  Is Snapchat safe? Is social media safe for kids? How do I install parental controls? What are the risks and dangers of Snapchat? What do kids use snapchat for? Why do kids use snapchat? Is there porn on snapchat? How can I reduce my child's screen time? How do I get my child off screens? What are the negative effects of too much screen time on kids?  What are the signs of screen addiction? What should I do if my child is addicted to screens?  What do I do about kids and technology? How do I get my child off screens without a fight? How do you stop screen addiction? Does my child have a video game addiction? What are the benefits of play? How does screen time affect sleep, physical health and mental-well being? Is my child's screen time interfering with their sleep? How to create healthy screen habits? Cynthia Dvorak, founder of Screen Less Play More, is inspired by organizations like GrowNow, The Screentime Solution, Scrolling2Death, Protect Young Eyes, Screen Strong, OK To Delay, and 1000 Hours Outside, as well as amazing books like "Hunt, Gather, Parent" by Michaleen Doucleff and "The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. She puts her writing and journalism skills together with interviews of authors and experts, to help parents navigate the new era of parenting in the digital world! Website & Blog: https://screenlessplaymore.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559041665093  What is the best parenting podcast about screen time and kids? https://screenlessplaymore.com/screen-less-play-more-podcast/ Learn about Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price's new book "The Amazing Generation" at https://screenlessplaymore.com/the-amazing-generation-is-the-anxious-generation-for-kids/ Help! My kids are addicted to screens, now what? https://screenlessplaymore.com/help-my-kids-are-addicted-to-screens-now-what/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6tYVFH0D-4&t=2580s Is social media safe for kids? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PybOb60ak0E&t=618s https://screenlessplaymore.com/is-social-media-safe-for-kids/ What are the best parenting books about screen time? https://screenlessplaymore.com/what-are-the-best-parenting-books-about-screen-time/ Why are kids addicted to screens? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBXOGzjQ9JE&t=742s https://screenlessplaymore.com/why-are-kids-so-addicted-to-screens-hint-its-by-design/ Is my child ready for a phone? https://screenlessplaymore.com/your-summer-survival-guide/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5N80zMPRFs&t=37s Spotify link https://open.spotify.com/show/1l08HO7kVw0nv7xnGE9RQ6?si=a915a02eb87d4359 Apple link https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/screen-less-play-more/id1808977425 Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore How Generative AI can rot your brain  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJjlerRBqqw&t=1355s Why is play important for children? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iWaIyA5FmY&t=1412s Where can I find online training safety classes for tweens and teens? https://screenlessplaymore.com/online-safety-training-for-tweens-teens/ Gift ideas to keep kids busy without screens https://screenlessplaymore.com/gift-ideas-for-screen-free-toys/ Classic outdoor games for kids https://screenlessplaymore.com/games-for-kids-to-play-outside/ https://screenlessplaymore.com/screen-free-days-are-easier-than-you-think/ Thanks for listening!