Media Savvy Moms Podcast, Author at

[4-10] One Mom’s Mission to Help You Untangle The Tech with Your Teen

By Media Savvy Moms PodcastMay 20, 2022

Tell me if this sounds familiar? You love your kids, you love technology, but when they're together, you’re terrified of both. Ok, terrified might be too strong a word. But, when you stop and think about it, there’s just so much that can go wrong with kids and tech. Yet we live in a digital age. We're all on screens—for homework, entertainment, and everything in between. To survive emotionally, while raising kids in this media-saturated world, we gotta figure out how to untangle the tech, and fast! In this episode, I speak with Andrea Davis. Andrea is the mom of…

Parenting & Communication, Tweens & Teens

[4-9] The Art and Science of Talking to Teens About Pornography

By Media Savvy Moms PodcastApr 27, 2022

With the ease of access to today’s online pornography, it makes sense to have open, honest conversations with children from an early age. That’s the ideal. But it’s not often how it goes, right? In fact, you may have a teen already—and you’re just starting to think about how to broach this sensitive topic. You’re not alone. My guess is you want to know how to break the ice in a way that doesn’t feel awkward. You want to know the art and science of talking to teens about pornography! In this episode, I speak with Gabe Deem, international speaker…

Parenting & Communication, Tweens & Teens

[4-8] Unrestricted Internet for Kids is Like Asking Little League to Compete Against Pros

By Media Savvy Moms PodcastApr 14, 2022

Imagine your child’s little league team facing off against top NFL players. Ridiculous, right? A mismatch in every sense of the word. We would never allow it. It’s dangerous. It’s reckless. Our children would get hammered. They might never recover. Yet every day, children and teens enter an arena with just as many odds stacked against them. Unrestricted internet for kids is like asking Little League to compete against the Pros. I’ve got a sports analogy for you today. I’m using my son’s experience of playing organized football for the first time to highlight the disadvantage children and young teens…

Safeguarding & Prevention

[4-7] The Secret to Building Safer Screen Habits With Little Ones

By Media Savvy Moms PodcastMar 30, 2022

Ever tried to distract a restless child in a grocery store, doctors' office, or while traveling? Portable screens can feel like a magical pacifying gift, right? But what if they become the norm? Are there long-term implications? Does excessive screen time affect child development? Or are we just letting the guilt and fear get the better of us? It seems that tech is here to stay. So let’s discuss a savvy way to build safer screen habits with our little ones. In this episode, I speak with Penny Marenge, the creator of Screens n Kids, an online platform with a…

Parenting Survival Tips, Safeguarding & Prevention

[4-6] Empowering middle-schoolers to make safer media decisions

By Media Savvy Moms PodcastMar 16, 2022

Ever have trouble motivating your tween to follow the family rules around tech and screens? Kids this age need lots of love, guidance, and direction. Yet, they’re naturally prone to push boundaries and gravitate toward peer influence. That can feel scary for us moms and dads. But following their peers is not always bad. Especially if we can get our youth to mentor each other in positive ways. Imagine! Middle-schoolers empowering middle-schoolers to make safer media decisions! In this episode, I speak with Britany Homer, mom of four and executive director of End Exploitation Montana. Brittany is also the driving…

Safeguarding & Prevention, Tweens & Teens

[4-5] New Bill Aims to Protect Minors from Exposure to Pornography

By Media Savvy Moms PodcastMar 03, 2022

We try everything in our power to protect our kids. Yet, we’re swimming against a powerful current. Explicit content is a constant threat. Early exposure is almost certain. If we’re serious about protecting our kids then the system has to change. Legislation has to keep pace with digital demands. It’s urgent that governments across the globe act accordingly. Mandatory age verification online can help protect minors from the constant threat of exposure to pornography In this episode, I speak with Canadian Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne who has proposed new legislation. Bill S-210 is an Act to restrict young persons’ online access…

Getting Involved, Safeguarding & Prevention

[4-4] Want to Trust Your Teen Online? 3 Ways to Model Honesty

By Media Savvy Moms PodcastFeb 17, 2022

Thinking about all the things that could go wrong for kids online is going to stir up some big worries and concerns. Yet, kids are online every day. Whether it's a smartphone, tablet, gaming console, or school-issued laptop, we want to trust that they will be safe. That our child or teen will make smart decisions when they're in these digital spaces. The best way to arrive at that trust is to model honesty in our own communication. Sure, it can be tempting to attempt to track your teen's every move on every digital device. Or the opposite, close your…

Parenting & Communication, Tweens & Teens

[4-3] Protect Children NOT Porn: A Rallying Cry for Online Age Verification

By Media Savvy Moms PodcastFeb 02, 2022

What makes you most angry, upset, or frustrated about parenting in the digital age. Think about it and make a mental checklist. Now, shift your focus to what in this world is most worth protecting? Then imagine if the internet would protect children NOT porn? What if you could help make that happen? In this episode, I talk with Helen Taylor, Vice President of Impact for Exodus Cry an organization committed to abolishing sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of all kinds. Helen helps us understand the intersection between pornography and sex trafficking. As well, she shares a simple action…

Getting Involved

[4-2] Dear Savvy: Is it worth starting the conversation with an older teen?

By Media Savvy Moms PodcastJan 19, 2022

We often wait for the perfect moment or the right age to talk to our kids about pornography and other tricky topics. Then, in a blink, our kids have grown up. The perfect moment never arrived. What do we do then? Are we too late? Is it worth starting the conversation with an older teen? This episode is part of our #DearSavvy series. Sometimes you just want a quick answer to a burning question. These shorter episodes are designed to give you just that. Tune in to the podcast to hear the whole scoop, and check out the show notes…

Dear Savvy, Parenting & Communication, Tweens & Teens

[4-1] Establishing Direction in a Media-Saturated World

By Media Savvy Moms PodcastJan 05, 2022

Ever made what you thought was a great resolution only to be defeated before you start? Yup, you and me both. So what do we do? How can we resolve to build safer screen habits in our homes when we know we’ll face obstacles, challenges, and maybe even failure right at the outset? It comes down to establishing direction. Keep in mind that this is a journey. And every good journey requires a navigation tool. Something to move you in the right direction—like a compass or a map. Building Safer Screen Habits isn't about passing or failing, winning or losing.…

Parenting Survival Tips