The Scroll Less Podcast

How do we help our kids navigate the digital world — without losing the real-life connection that matters most?In this episode of The Scroll Less Podcast, Gia is joined by Australia’s queen of common-sense parenting, Maggie Dent, to talk about her new book Digital Freedom, co-written with online safety expert Kirra Pendergast.From algorithms and AI to social media and online harms, Maggie breaks down some big topics in her trademark relatable way — and offers practical advice for families navigating an ever-changing digital world.But this conversation isn’t just about our kids’ technology use. It’s also about our own.Gia and Maggie explore what technology can quietly displace when it comes to connection with our children and the people we love, why our own phone habits matter, and why parents have more power than they might think.🎧 What You’ll Hear• What parents need to understand about algorithms and AI• Why algorithms can learn from what we avoid, not just what we engage with• The online harms parents need to be aware of• What technology may be displacing when it comes to family connection• Why our own phone habits as parents matter• Practical ways to help kids build healthier relationships with technology• Why Maggie believes parents have enormous power to make a difference🎙 About Maggie DentMaggie Dent is one of Australia’s best-known parenting authors, educators and speakers, affectionately known as Australia’s “queen of common sense.”Her latest book, Digital Freedom: A Guide to Less Screen Time for Safer, Happier and Healthier Families, co-written with online safety expert Kirra Pendergast, offers practical strategies for helping families navigate the digital world.💙 Scroll Less SeptemberThe Scroll Less Podcast is the official podcast of Scroll Less September — an Australian campaign helping us spend less time on our phones and more time living real life.Scroll Less [email protected] Life. Less Scroll.🔗 ResourcesMaggie DentDigital FreedomeSafety CommissionerControl Shift⚠️ A Gentle ReminderThis episode contains a brief mention of eating disorders and self-harm.This podcast is for general information and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalised medical, psychological or professional advice.For mental health support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.Acknowledgement of CountryThe Scroll Less Podcast is recorded on the traditional lands of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains. We acknowledge the Kaurna people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay our respects to Elders past and present.🙏 Thanks for ListeningIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow The Scroll Less Podcast, leave a review and share it with a friend. 💙More Life. Less Scroll.

Why is it so hard to put our phones down?For the very first episode of The Scroll Less Podcast, Gia is joined by leading neuro-performance scientist and digital wellbeing expert Dr Kristy Goodwin to unpack our increasingly complicated relationship with our phones.They explore the statistic that helped inspire Scroll Less September — that the average Australian could spend almost 17 years of their life on their phone — and what our increasingly always-on digital lives are doing to our brains, attention and wellbeing.Kristy explains what she calls the “Digital Vortex” — the powerful pull of our devices that can turn a quick check into far more time than we intended. From dopamine and notifications to endless scrolling and algorithms, she unpacks why our phones can be so difficult to resist and why this isn’t simply a matter of willpower.They also explore what constant digital stimulation and task-switching are doing to our brains, why we’ve become so uncomfortable with boredom, and what we can actually do to create more space in an always-on world.This isn’t about giving up our phones or feeling guilty about using them. It’s about understanding what’s happening in our brains and finding realistic ways to use technology more intentionally.🎧 What You’ll Hear• The Digital Vortex — and why “just checking” our phones can so easily turn into much more• The neuroscience behind scrolling, dopamine and distraction• How technology is designed to capture and hold our attention• What an always-on world is doing to our focus, memory and wellbeing• Why constantly switching our attention is so exhausting• Why boredom and quiet time are actually good for our brains• Kristy’s concepts of the “Success Tax” and “Spacious Success”• What a healthy relationship with technology can look like• Simple, science-backed ways to create healthier phone habits🎙 About Dr Kristy GoodwinDr Kristy Goodwin is a neuro-performance scientist, keynote speaker, executive coach and award-winning author of Dear Digital, We Need to Talk.She is also the host of the Spacious Success Podcast and author of the upcoming book Spacious Success.💙 Scroll Less SeptemberThe Scroll Less Podcast is the official podcast of Scroll Less September.Scroll Less September is an Australian campaign designed to help us spend less time on our phones and more time living real life.To sign up or find out more, visit: https://www.scrolllessseptember.com.auMore Life. Less Scroll.📩 ContactScroll Less SeptemberWebsite: https://www.scrolllessseptember.com.auEmail: [email protected]🔗 ResourcesDr Kristy GoodwinWebsite: https://drkristygoodwin.comSpacious Success Podcast: https://drkristygoodwin.com/spacious-success/eSafety CommissionerInformation, advice and resources to help Australians stay safer online: https://www.esafety.gov.au⚠️ A Gentle ReminderThe information shared in this podcast is for general information and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalised medical, psychological or professional advice.If you have concerns about your mental health or wellbeing, please speak with your GP or another qualified health professional.For mental health support, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.Acknowledgement of CountryThe Scroll Less Podcast is recorded on the traditional lands of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains. We acknowledge the Kaurna people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay our respects to Elders past and present.🙏 Thanks for ListeningIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow The Scroll Less Podcast, leave a review and share it with a friend. Every follow, review and share helps us reach more people. 💙And if you’re taking part in Scroll Less September — keep going. One small change can make more room for real life and the moments that matter most.More Life. Less Scroll.

We will spend years of our lives on our phones. They connect us, entertain us and make life easier — but how are they changing the way we live?The Scroll Less Podcast explores our increasingly complicated relationship with our phones and the digital world, and what it means for our relationships, attention, mental wellbeing, families and everyday lives.Through honest conversations, expert insights and real stories, we explore how to navigate a world that’s changing faster than ever — and find a healthier balance with the technology we rely on every day.Hosted by Gia Hogarth, founder of Scroll Less September.