Podcast
Screen Less Play More
Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak · EN
Parenting doesn't have to feel overwhelming — especially when it comes to screens. Screen Less Play More is the podcast that helps modern parents raise healthy, balanced, and confident kids in a world dominated by technology.
Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak, each episode blends practical strategies, expert interviews, and the latest child-development research on screen time, play, mental health, digital habits, and healthy tech boundaries. You'll learn how to reduce screen use without power struggles, encourage independent and imaginative play, and support your child's development from the baby years through the teen years. We will give you screen free activities to try, as well as book recommendations on the best parenting books about screen time.
If you've ever wondered how to manage phones, gaming, social media, or kids' tech requests — or how to bring back more free play, outdoor time, creativity, and childhood joy — this show gives you clear, realistic answers. Discover why unstructured play and risky play boosts emotional resilience, how nature supports healthy brain development, and what parents can do to prevent screen overuse, digital addiction, and burnout. This is the place for busy moms and dads to learn about digital health, healthy screen habits, and how to manage kids and technology. We give you ideas for screen-free activities, screen-free Sunday, and family dinner. We cover topics from friluftsliv outdoor lifestyle, to critical thinking for kids, to screen free entertainment.
We also cover EdTech and it's influence on modern schools, why you might want to opt-out, and how to manage Chromebooks and laptops in the classroom. Ed Tech is not technology education, and we explain the difference to you and how kids can learn valuable media literacy. We also stress the importance of bell to bell cell phone bans in schools, as well as why more play and recess can be the solution to slumping test scores.
Cynthia uses her experience as a mom of two neurodivergent boys to help you manage screen time in regards to ADHD, autism, Asperger syndrome, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and other learning differences. She knows what works for her family, and will help yours too!
You'll hear episodes on:
Age-appropriate screen time guidelines
The negative effects of too much screen time.
Helping kids who are struggling with gaming or social media, including addiction.
Building healthier tech habits as a family.
What are the recommended screen time limits for children by age?
Play-based learning, Montessori/Waldorf/Reggio Emilia and homeschool approaches.
Encouraging outdoor play in all weather.
Is social media safe? Can I make social media safe? What are the best parental controls for smartphones?
How to make room for boredom, creativity, and independence
How to reduce screen time without fights.
Raising resilient, curious, emotionally healthy kids.
Simple, screen-free activities toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids love, plus t...
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How to Have a Low-Screen Summer (Without Constant Battles) | Simple Ideas That Actually Work!
5d ago00:26:19Tap to summarizeAre you worried summer will turn into endless screen time battles? In this episode, Cynthia sits down with screen time expert and Better Screen Time founder Andrea Davis to share practical, realistic ways families can create a low-screen summer without stress, guilt, or perfection. In this replay episode, Andrea gives parents the top 4 questions to ask your kids when school ends and you start your plan.... or when summer gets into a slump midway through. Andrea explains how to reduce kids' screen time by filling summer with meaningful activities, simple routines, hands-on hobbies, outdoor play, family goals, and boredom-friendly ideas that actually work. From toddlers to teens, this conversation is packed with actionable parenting strategies for creating healthier tech habits during summer break. You'll learn: How to create a family summer screen time plan Why boredom can move kids towards meaningful hobbies Screen-free summer activity ideas for toddlers, kids, and teens How to reduce screen time without constant fighting Why screen time shouldn't be used as a reward Healthy phone boundaries for teenagers The best low-effort activities that keep kids occupied longer, note: open-ended toys are golden! How to encourage creativity, independence, and real-world skills Ways to help kids build healthier relationships with technology Andrea also shares: Her "When You Want to Do Nothing" boredom-buster list Tips for collaborative family tech planning How to handle summer phone expectations with teens Why open-ended play matters more than expensive entertainment If you're looking for practical screen time tips, low-screen summer ideas, healthy digital habits, or realistic parenting advice for raising kids in the digital age, this episode is for you. Perfect for parents of toddlers, elementary-age kids, tweens, and teens navigating: summer break screen addiction concerns smartphone boundaries boredom complaints social media limits family tech rules healthier routines for kids Guest: Andrea Davis, founder of Better Screen Time Host: Cynthia Dvorak founder of Screen Less Play More For more on parenting in the digital age, visit ScreenLessPlayMore.com and the Screen Less Play More substack What's the best parenting podcast? Screen Less Play More! screenless playmore
Transcribe →They Were Good Parents. Social Media Still Harmed Their Kids - What We Can Learn From Their Experience
2w ago00:32:23Tap to summarizeWhat is social media really doing to kids — and why are even loving, careful parents losing children to online harms? In this powerful episode of Screen Less Play More, Cynthia interviews the team behind the documentary "Your Attention Please," including filmmaker duo Sara Robin and Jack LeMay, along with parent advocate Kristin Bride, whose 16-year-old son Carson committed suicide after severe online cyberbullying. Together, they expose how social media algorithms, addictive app design, anonymous messaging apps, cyberbullying, and AI-driven engagement systems are affecting children's lives and safety. Kristin explains how online bullying and harassment killed her son, through an anonymous app called YOLO, which was integrated into Snapchat. They discuss teen and child mental health, friendships, self-esteem, attention spans, and safety online. This episode explores: the hidden dangers of Snapchat and anonymous apps how algorithms push harmful content to teens the connection between social media and anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and suicide why even "good parents" cannot fully protect kids from online harms the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the fight for tech accountability how Big Tech profits from attention and emotional manipulation practical ways parents can reduce screen time and create healthier childhoods the growing movement toward phone-free schools, offline clubs, and screen-free family life You'll also hear hopeful ideas for reclaiming childhood through more independence, outdoor play, real-world friendships, and intentional family culture. If you're worried about: kids and phones teen mental health cyberbullying screen addiction social media safety AI and children online predators digital parenting raising kids in the digital age …this episode is essential listening. Learn more about the documentary "Your Attention Please" and upcoming screenings at Your Attention Please. For more practical strategies on raising balanced, thriving kids with less screen time and more real-world play, visit Screen Less Play More and Cynthia's substack Screen Less Play More. https://screenlessplaymorepodcast.substack.com/ Thanks for listening!
Transcribe →The Formula to Get Kids Off Screens Without a Fight | Michaeleen Doucleff on The 5 step "Dopamine Kids" Reset for Parents
Apr 2200:55:56Tap to summarizeAre your kids melting down when screens turn off? Wondering how to reduce screen time without constant battles? In this eye-opening conversation, Michaeleen Doucleff (author of "Hunt, Gather, Parent" and "Dopamine Kids") explains why kids crave screens, how the dopamine loop works, and the 5-step method parents can use to help children want real-life hobbies more than video games, YouTube, or Minecraft. Kids Addicted to Screens? 5 Steps to Reduce Screen Time Without a Fight In this episode you'll learn: Why screens trigger craving, not true happiness Whether screen time is rewiring kids' brains How to get kids off screens and ipads and tablets and video games without going cold turkey The "dopamine redirection" method that actually works How to replace Netflix, Fortnite, TikTok and other addictive tech with activities kids love Why boredom is not the answer—and what to build instead How purpose, risky play, and meaningful hobbies protect kids' mental health If you've searched screen addiction in kids, how to stop video game addiction, alternatives to screen time, or how to get kids off Minecraft, this episode is for you. Michaeleen Doucleff is the author of "Dopamine Kids: A Science-Based Plan to Rewire Your Child's Brain and Take Back Your Family in the Age of Screens and Ultraprocessed Foods" and she gives us so many parenting hacks and parenting tips to get our kids off screens and back to real life! Welcome to Screen Less Play More! 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! Visit ScreenLessPlayMore.com more more helpful tips on raising balanced, thriving kids in the digital age! More great podcast episodes at screenless playmore.
Transcribe →Does Risky Play Scare You? Why Tree Climbing, Nature Play & Outdoor Freedom Help Kids Grow Safer and Stronger | Josée Bergeron
Apr 200:26:53Tap to summarizeDoes 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!
Transcribe →Why Kids Need Dirt, Danger, and the Outdoors (Even If They'd Rather Be on Screens)
Mar 1100:29:55Tap to summarizeAre 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
Transcribe →Too Much Screen Time At School? Why Parents Are Suing Education Technology Apps - Emily Cherkin
Mar 400:11:49Tap to summarizeWhy 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
Transcribe →5 Internet Safety Mistakes I Wish I'd Known About Sooner - What Every Parent Should Know
Feb 1300:37:37Tap to summarizeAre 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!
Transcribe →Why Kids Who Delay Smartphones Don't Binge Later: Screen Addiction Myths, Safer Phones & Laws Protecting Kids Online | Part 2 with Clare Morell
Jan 800:25:03Tap to summarizeWhat 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
Transcribe →Screens Aren't Sugar, They're Fentanyl - Why Screentime "Moderation" Is Failing Our Kids
Jan 700:30:44Tap to summarizeIs 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
Transcribe →How to Keep Tweens and Teens Safe Online - Without Tracking, Over-Monitoring, or Killing Independence | Parenting Coach Megan Saxelby
Dec 1300:34:53Tap to summarizeHow 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!
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