8 lessons
#screens
Phones, games, social media and AI: setting limits that hold.
School Years
Kids and AI chatbots: what parents need to know about "AI friends"
Most teens have already tried an AI companion, and some are using them for real emotional support. Here's what the research says, the risks to watch for, and how to talk about it without panic.
School Years
The first phone talk, and a family agreement that actually holds up
Handing over a first phone is less about the device and more about the deal around it. Here's how to set one up together, what the research says about social media, and a printable agreement to start from.
School Years
Kids and video games: how much is too much, and when it's a real problem
For most kids, moderate gaming is fine and can even be good. The warning sign isn't the number of hours, it's when gaming starts crowding out sleep, school, friends and family.
Emotional Development
Body image and eating disorders: what to say, what to skip, and when to worry
Kids pick up how to feel about their bodies from the world, their phones and the dinner table. Here's how to build a healthier relationship with food and bodies at home, and the signs that mean it's time to get help.
Communication
Talking to kids about scary news: shootings, disasters, war and more
Find out what they already know, give honest answers sized to their age, limit the replay of disturbing coverage, and remind them of the people keeping them safe.
Toddler & Preschool
Screen time for toddlers and preschoolers: what the guidelines say
Pediatricians suggest skipping screens before 18 to 24 months except video chat, and about an hour a day of high-quality shows for ages 2 to 5, watched with you when you can.
Teens
Sextortion and online safety: what every parent should say before it happens
Sextortion scams target kids fast and hit hardest when kids feel they can't tell anyone. The most protective thing a parent can do is make sure their child already knows: come to me, and I will help first.
School Years
Screens, phones, and a family media plan that actually holds
The research on screen time is messier than the headlines. What seems to matter most is what kids are doing, what it pushes out, and whether the rules are clear.
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