Generative AI apps such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, and Claude have rapidly become the go-to parenting sages. Every type of parenting question can be answered efficiently and with (what sounds like) expertise. Undoubtedly, these apps offer parents help during stressful times. But is this the way God intends for us to receive parenting advice and practical wisdom? What is lost when human relationships and struggle are removed from the parenting equation?

Articles referenced:

OpenAI CEO Can’t Imagine Parenting Without AI
I Co-Parent with ChatGPT – I love turning off my brain and letting AI help raise my child

Scripture referenced:

Genesis 3
Deuteronomy 32:7
James 1:2-4

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Often, apps begin with noble intentions of “connection” or “education.” While they promise to be different, they inevitably resort to classic tactics for maximum engagement: streaks, coins, leaderboards, FOMO, and notifications. In this episode, Kelly uncovers this trend using Duolingo and Zigazoo as examples. This trend of app devolution is important for parents to understand. You may not be able to keep track of every app update, but you know your child, and you can recognize when something has changed.

Articles referenced:

Brave Parenting Guide to Duolingo
Brave Parenting Guide to Zigazoo
TED Talk: How to Make Learning as Addictive as Social Media
How Machine Learning Supercharged Our Revenue by Millions (Duolingo Blog)

Scripture referenced:

1 Thes 5:4-6
1 Thes 5:19-21
1 Peter 5:8
Matt 18:8-9

⇒ DOWNLOAD: App Evaluation & Test Everything Guide

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After years of doing nothing, Big Tech social platforms started releasing new “teen safety” and “parental controls” to show how much they care about and prioritize children’s safety. The problem with these new safety features is that they are not enough. It’s the design of social media and games that creates spaces of chaos where everyone does what is right in their own eyes.

Articles referenced:

Time Limits for YouTube Shorts Scrolling
Deeper Insights with Snapchat’s New Family Center Features
Roblox’s AI-Powered Age Verification
TikTok to Tighten Age Checks in Europe
Meta Pauses Teen Access to AI Characters
Instagram is Testing a New Definition of ‘Friends’

Scripture referenced:

Judges 21:25

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In today’s Brave Briefing, Kelly reviews the new book, The Amazing Generation by Jonathon Haidt and Catherine Price. Written for a Gen Alpha audience, this book aims to inspire rebels who don’t let technology use them. This book serves almost as a hopeful sequel to The Anxious Generation, which highlighted the harms done to Gen Z by online media and technology. Listen in to this brief episode to get our take on this book.

Get The Amazing Generation on Amazon.

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Lots of companies promise solutions for taming screen time (for kids and adults). Joining Kelly today on the podcast is Heather Wilkinson, sharing her personal story about excessive screen time, parenting, and the most powerful force for change: The Brick.

The Brick is a physical device you tap in order to unlock the phone restrictions you’ve set up for yourself. Kinda like tap-to-pay, but better! It still requires intentionality and self-discipline but it may just be what can help you as well! Check out The Brick for yourself.

Books referenced:

12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You

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LifeWise Academy has created an incredible program to enable kids in public schools to receive Bible education during school hours! In this episode, Kelly sits down with Aaron Braswell, a Texas director for LifeWise, to hear more about the ministry’s amazing work.

Listen to learn how kids, families, and communities are being changed and how to help bring LifeWise Academy to your public school. There may already be a program started that you can help launch!

Visit LifeWise Academy
Watch the documentary Off School Property for FREE on Angel Studios – NOW AVAILABLE

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Every organization and business in the Media and Technology landscape offers parents ‘Peace of Mind.” They promise peace that only their app or service can deliver: “Peace starts with us.” They offer parents peace as an apology: “We didn’t care about your kid’s safety before, but we do now, and here are some safety features to prove it.”

And why is everyone offering parents peace? Because screens and the internet are the greatest source of stress for parents. In this episode, Kelly gives many examples of the ever-so-common promise that specific, better, or new media and technology can give parents the peace of mind they need to allow their kids to use it. Can these products and services actually give peace?

Of course not, because peace is a Person named Jesus.

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE

Articles referenced:

RightasRain UW Medicine: 4 Reasons Your Kid Isn’t Ready for a Smartphone (Yet)
AngelQ in App Store
Life360
I Think of You (Dying)
Qustodio
Brave Books
TiKTok Supporting Parents
Instagram Teen Accounts Announcement
Google: New digital protections for kids, teens, and parents
Wearable panic buttons

Scripture referenced:

John 16:33
Proverbs 22:15
Proverbs 10:1
Proverbs 17:21
Luke 2:48
Matthew 15:21-28
John 4
Mark 5
Mark 19
Matthew 11:28
Isaiah 26:3
Romans 5:1
Philippians 4:6-7

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Kelly and Ryan answer the most common questions you’ve asked in 2025.

1. Don’t my children need to learn technology to stay relevant and get a job?
2. How can restricting Snapchat and keeping kids from talking to their friends be the best choice?
3. What is the right age for a child to get a phone?
4. What punishments work when taking their phone away doesn’t phase them?
5. How do I explain that screen time rules are rooted in Scripture and not my desire for control?
6. How do I keep my kids from using ChatGPT on their homework?
7. Can video games really be used for educational purposes
   [and for fun….]
8. What media & tech defined the year 2025?
9. What do you think will define 2026?
10. What was your favorite book this year?

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