Fighting with your teen about screens doesn’t mean you’re failing. It usually means you’re focusing on the wrong thing.

In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, I’m joined by Stephen Balkam, Founder and CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute, who brings 30 years of experience helping families navigate online safety without fear or power struggles.

We break down why traditional screen time rules backfire, why screen use matters more than minutes, and how parents can stay influential in a world where teens are using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude for school, problem-solving, and decision-making.

If you want to protect your teen online without losing trust or connection, this episode will help you rethink your approach.

What You’ll Learn

The biggest screen time mistake parents make (and what works better)
Why quality of screen use matters more than quantity
How the “co-pilot” approach keeps you involved without controlling
Why involving teens in rule-setting increases follow-through
What parents need to know about AI and critical thinking
Simple boundaries that protect both safety and connection

Resources Mentioned

Family Online Safety Institute: https://www.fosi.org
Seven Steps to Good Digital Parenting
Digital Parenting Contract Template
FOSI YouTube Channel

AI tools discussed: ChatGPT, Claude
Apps referenced: Pokémon Go, nature and star identification apps

About the Guest

Stephen Balkam is the Founder and CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute, a nonprofit working with major tech companies to make the online world safer for kids and families. He has been at the forefront of online safety for three decades and has witnessed the evolution from the early web to social media to today’s AI age.

About the Show

Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam helps parents stay calm, connected, and confident while navigating the challenges of raising teens. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach.

👉 Learn more and access free resources at AskDrCam.com
📱 For daily parenting tools, follow @DrCamCaswell on Instagram

Biggest Screen Time Mistakes Parents Make (and What Actually Works Instead)