In this episode of Awkward Conversations, hosts Jodie Sweetin and Amy McCarthy team up with Dr. Michael Rich, "the Mediatrician," and Kevin Collins from the Drug Enforcement Administration to unpack the realities of raising kids in today's digital world.

From the hidden risks of online drug sales to the secret language of emojis, they reveal what parents need to know—and how to turn fear into curiosity, monitoring into mentorship, and tough topics into open conversations. Packed with practical tools and resources, this episode gives parents the confidence to guide their children safely and thoughtfully through a screen-saturated world.

Key Moments & Takeaways:

- How technology influences adolescent substance use (10:15).

- Embracing curiosity over fear when approaching technology with your kids (12:00).

- Tips for starting conversations about tech safety with kids (15:00).

- Using engagement tools to mentor rather than monitor (25:00).

- Modeling the digital behavior you want your children to follow (35:00).

- Hidden dangers of online drug sales and why communication matters (35:00).

- Resources that empower parents to guide their children with confidence (45:00).

Dr. Michael Rich, MD, MPH, is a pediatrician, media researcher, and the founder of the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital. Known as "the Mediatrician," he is the first pediatrician in the U.S. to focus his career on the intersection of media and child health. Dr. Rich is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. His work helps families, educators, and clinicians navigate the digital landscape by providing research-driven guidance on media use, mental health, and child development. With a mission to help kids thrive in a connected world, Dr. Rich empowers parents to move beyond fear and embrace curiosity, turning digital challenges into opportunities for growth and connection. https://www.childrenshospital.org/directory/michael-rich

Kevin Collins serves as Senior Prevention Program Manager for the Drug Enforcement Administration's Community Outreach and Prevention Support Section. In this capacity, he leads efforts to collaborate with national organizations and support families affected by substance use. Prior to joining DEA Kevin worked for the Partnership to End Addiction for two decades with a focus on family services. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves, including a deployment to Bosnia, and worked for the New York State Legislature.

Jodie Sweetin is an actress, author, and advocate best known for her roles on Full House and Fuller House. Her memoir, unSweetined, chronicles her journey through addiction and recovery, fueling her advocacy for substance use awareness. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodiesweetin/

Amy McCarthy, LICSW, is the Director of Clinical Social Work at Boston Children's Hospital's Division of Addiction Medicine, specializing in adolescent substance use. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amymccarthylicsw/

Boston Children's Hospital Addiction Medicine: https://www.childrenshospital.org/departments/addiction-medicine

Supporting Organizations:

The Elks: With nearly one million members across 2,000 lodges, the Elks are dedicated to youth drug prevention through their Drug and Alcohol Prevention (DAP) program. They have donated over $3.6 billion to various causes, including the creation of the first VA hospital for veterans. Elks Drug Awareness Program Website: https://bit.ly/44SunO6

DEA: Established in 1973, DEA enforces U.S. controlled substance laws nationally and internationally, with offices around the globe. www.dea.gov

Resources/Links:

Digital Wellness Lab https://bit.ly/digitalwellnesslabboston

Mediatrician's Guide https://amzn.to/3JKGC9J

GetSmartAboutDrugs.com www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com

Inspired Internet Pledge https://inspiredinternet.org/

DEA's Emoji Guide https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2021-12/Emoji%20Decoded.pdf

Hidden in Plain Sight Program https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/Hidden%20in%20Plain%20Sight.pdf

DEA on Instagram: www.instagram.com/deahq

Elks Kid Zone Website: https://bit.ly/3s79Zdt

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