Raising Kids Without Losing Them To Screens

A preschooler looks at a rectangle and says “phone.” That moment launched a teacher-mom into a deep investigation of how screens are changing childhood—and what we can do about it. Kimberly Long, a special education teacher and chapter leader with Mothers Against Media Addiction, joins us to break down the brain science, the culture shifts, and the practical steps that put parents back in the driver’s seat.

We get clear on dopamine and why instant digital rewards undercut the slow, effortful wins that build resilience, friendships, and confidence. Kimberly explains how harm goes far beyond stranger danger: explicit content can slip into kid spaces, peers can expose kids at school or sleepovers, and group chats normalize what used to be fringe. We explore how early exposure to sexual content warps expectations of intimacy, avoids real-world risk-taking, and can delay key milestones like dating, driving, and leaving home.

You’ll hear why teen anxiety and depression rose in lockstep with smartphones and social media across countries and demographics, plus the different ways girls and boys are being pushed by algorithms. We talk real solutions: default protections for minors that require opt-in, not opt-out; parent education through school partnerships and community screenings; and home strategies that work in the real world. Think “Wait Until Eighth” for smartphones, 16 for social media, flip phones for logistics, and firm boundaries on bedrooms and bedtime.

It’s never too late to reset. We share scripts to make awkward conversations easier, how to preview and co-watch tough content, and why car rides are perfect for open questions without the pressure of eye contact. If you’re ready to trade doomscrolling for development, and quick hits for real growth, this conversation gives you the science, the tools, and the community to start today.

Connect with Kimberly

Find her on Facebook or Instagram. Find your local chapter of MAMA or learn more about the organization here.

Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green.

I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you.

Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in

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