Podcasts about Common Sense Media

How much screen time is too much for your tween or teen? It's one of the biggest questions single parents are asking right now.With schoolwork, social life, and endless scrolling, it can feel impossible to know what's “too much.” In this episode, Tess Connolly, LCSW, breaks down what the experts say about healthy limits for tweens and teens, drawing from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Common Sense Media, and leading researchers like Jonathan Haidt and Jean Twenge.You'll discover how to balance tech use with sleep, family connection, and mental health—and learn best practices single parents can realistically use at home without constant battles.Listen now to The Single Parenting Reset Show and find out how to set screen time limits that protect your child's well-being and your peace of mind.⭐Got screen time problems at home, get the Tech Reset Agreement here

Most people have an understanding of just how devastating social media and unrestrained access to technology have been to teens and young adults. What's less understood is what the next threat is going to be to young people and their mental health. Evidence is mounting that it's likely to be artificial intelligence and the very strange relationships people are starting to create with AI companions. People are using AI as their coaches, therapists, trusted friends, and even their romantic partners. According to Common Sense Media, more than half of American teens are using AI companions at least once a month. What's forgotten is the deep, dark secrets being shared with AI companions are not protected or private. More concerning, many users lose touch with the fact that the AI companions are not real people. In this episode, Mandy McLean, CEO of ClassWaves, discusses what AI companions are, the risks they pose to users, why AI companions are appealing, and what parents and educators should be doing to avoid safety and manipulation risks AI companions introduce to students. Mandy says now is the perfect moment for AI companions to exponentially grow because of the loneliness epidemic, the amount of time people are spending using digital devices, and the quality of the AI companions in market. Mandy also discusses what is likely happening to the brains of children who frequently use AI companions. She talks about what happens to people who lose an “AI spouse” when outdated technology is sunset. She closes out the interview by providing advice to parents and educators who want to help children avoid the dangerous use of AI companions and she shares what is filling her with a sense of optimism. Mandy McLean is the co-founder and CEO of ClassWaves, an AI-powered platform that helps teachers transform learning by fostering learner agency and social capital through dialogue. A former high school teacher with a PhD in education and statistics, she has spent over a decade studying how people learn and later held leadership roles at Guild as Director of Research, Head of Applied Science, and Director of AI Transformation. At ClassWaves, Mandy is redefining the teacher's role—not as a content deliverer, but as a guide for deeper conversation and connection. She also writes on Substack and speaks widely about education, adolescent development, and the social impact of technology. She lives in Colorado with her husband, two kids, and two cats, and she loves running, mountain adventures, and exploring big questions.

A medida que el panorama digital continúa expandiéndose y la IA se vuelve más omnipresente, la importancia de fomentar un comportamiento en línea seguro, responsable y ético es más importante que nunca.En este contexto, las escuelas de todo el país están participando activamente en la Semana de la Ciudadanía Digital, que se llevará a cabo del 20 al 24 de octubre de 2025.La organización sin fines de lucro Common Sense Media utiliza los siguientes temas para definir y desarrollar las estrategias apropiadas para cada edad sobre recursos de ciudadanía digital para los estudiantes, las familias y los educadores: equilibrio en el uso de medios, lucha contra el acoso cibernético, privacidad de datos, huella digital, aprendizaje mediático, aprendizaje socioemocional, educación cívica, así como destrezas de comunicación y colaboración. Visite su sitio web para acceder a una gran variedad de artículos, lecciones, actividades y más completamente gratuitos.Desde el año escolar 2024-2025, HSD ha ofrecido a las familias un informe semanal que resume el uso de internet de sus estudiantes en los Chromebooks personales o del distrito al iniciar sesión con sus cuentas de HSD. También hay funciones avanzadas disponibles, como la posibilidad de ver el historial de navegación detallado y pausar el acceso a internet fuera del horario escolar, cuando las familias se registran para obtener una cuenta gratuita en la aplicación Blocksi. Visite nuestro sitio web para leer la explicación y la disculpa emitida por Blocksi por los múltiples correos electrónicos que las familias pudieron haber recibido a mediados de septiembre debido a una falla técnica en su sistema y por favor, considere crear una cuenta.Creemos firmemente que esta es una medida apropiada para mantener a nuestros estudiantes seguros y enfocados en el aprendizaje mientras utilizan la tecnología y sus cuentas del distrito.Otro recurso del que quizá no haya escuchado aún es Take it Down, ofrecido por el Centro Nacional para Niños Desaparecidos y Explotados. Este servicio gratuito y confidencial puede ayudar a eliminar o detener la difusión en línea de imágenes o videos explícitos de personas menores de 18 años.Dedicar un momento para reflexionar antes de hacer publicaciones, pulsar en enlaces, enviar o compartir archivos, es fundamental considerando el amplio alcance y la permanencia de los recursos digitales. ¡Comprometámonos todos a ser ciudadanos digitales informados, éticos y empáticos!Nuestro evento destacado es la celebración del Mes de la Herencia Hispana. Más de 275 estudiantes, personal, familias y miembros de la comunidad se reunieron el jueves, 2 de octubre, en la Escuela Secundaria South Meadows para celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana. La publicación de Noticias de la Semana se elabora y se envía por correo electrónico a las familias y a los miembros del personal de HSD cada semana durante el año escolar. Por favor, agregue esta dirección de correo electrónico a su lista de «remitentes seguros» para asegurarse de recibir siempre la publicación más reciente. Además, por favor no deje de agregar a sus enlaces favoritos el sitio web de nuestro distrito (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hsd.k12.or.us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) para mantenerse informado sobre lo que está sucediendo en nuestro distrito y en las escuelas.

In this mini-episode Adam answers your most-asked question with their real setup: landline + watch for calls, curated contacts, filtered schoolwork, locked streaming profiles, and kids' Kindles set to read-only. He reminds us software can help, but the win is shaping hearts, building accountability, and choosing holiness together.Resources MentionedApple Watch (Family Setup & controls): https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211768Apple Screen Time (family controls): https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201304Canopy (filter): https://canopy.us/Securly (school filtering): https://www.securly.com/Covenant Eyes (accountability): https://www.covenanteyes.com/Bark (monitoring): https://www.bark.us/Dude Perfect App: https://dudeperfect.com/app/Kindle parental controls: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201472070Movie “parent guide” lookups (Common Sense Media): https://www.commonsensemedia.org/Scripture — Psalm 101:3 (“I will not set…before my eyes”): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+101%3A3&version=ESV Follow Us:Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteEditing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As the digital landscape continues to expand and AI becomes more pervasive, the importance of fostering safe, responsible, and ethical online behavior is more important than ever. In light of this, schools across the nation are actively participating in Digital Citizenship Week, which takes place from October 20-24, 2025. The nonprofit organization Common Sense Media draws upon the following to define and develop age-appropriate digital citizenship resources for students, families, and educators: media balance, anti-cyberbullying, data privacy, digital footprints, media literacy, social-emotional learning, civic education, and communication and collaboration skills. Check out their site for an abundance of free articles, lessons, activities, and more. A service HSD has offered families since the 2024-25 school year is a weekly report summarizing their student's internet use on personal or district-owned Chromebooks when logged in using their HSD credentials. There is also enhanced functionality available - such as the ability to see detailed browsing history and pause internet access outside of school hours - when families sign up for a free account on Blocksi. Visit our website to read Blocksi's explanation and apology for the multiple emails families may have received in mid-September due to a technical glitch in their system, and consider creating your account. We believe this is an appropriate step to keep our students safe and focused on learning while using district technology and credentials. Another resource you may not have heard of is offered by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: Take it Down. This free and confidential service can help remove or stop the online sharing of explicit images or videos of a person when they were under 18. Taking a moment to think before you post, click, send, or share something is so important as we consider the broad reach and long life of digital artifacts. Let's all commit to being informed, ethical, and empathetic online citizens!Our featured event is our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. More than 275 students, staff, families, and community members gathered in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month on Thursday, October 2, at South Meadows Middle School. The event featured ballet folklórico performances by students from Farmington View Elementary School and Glencoe High School, a presentation by the Hillsboro Hops, items for sale by local Hispanic-identifying vendors, food, activities, and more. The evening ended with attendees learning to dance the Cumbia. It was a truly uplifting and inspiring commemoration of this rich and varied culture! Hot News is produced and emailed to HSD families and staff each week school is in session. Please add the address to your “safe sender” list to make sure you always receive the latest issue. Please also bookmark our district website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hsd.k12.or.us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay informed about what's happening in our district and schools.

Welcome to The Mental Breakdown and Psychreg Podcast! Today, Dr. Berney and Dr. Marshall discuss new threats parents must consider when their kids are using AI. Read the article from Internet Matters here and from Common Sense Media here. You can now follow Dr. Marshall on twitter, as well! Dr. Berney and Dr. Marshall are happy to announce the release of their new parenting e-book, Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Healthy Child Part 2: Attention. You can get your copy from Amazon here. We hope that you will join us each morning so that we can help you make your day the best it can be! See you tomorrow. Become a patron and support our work at http://www.Patreon.com/thementalbreakdown. Visit Psychreg for blog posts covering a variety of topics within the fields of mental health and psychology. The Parenting Your ADHD Child course is now on YouTube! Check it out at the Paedeia YouTube Channel. The Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Health Child Part 1: Behavior Management is now available on kindle! Get your copy today! The Elimination Diet Manual is now available on kindle and nook! Get your copy today! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube Channels, Paedeia and The Mental Breakdown. Please leave us a review on iTunes so that others might find our podcast and join in on the conversation!

Welcome to The Mental Breakdown and Psychreg Podcast! Today, Dr. Berney and Dr. Marshall discuss new threats parents must consider when their kids are using AI. Read the article from Internet Matters here and from Common Sense Media here. You can now follow Dr. Marshall on twitter, as well! Dr. Berney and Dr. Marshall are happy to announce the release of their new parenting e-book, Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Healthy Child Part 2: Attention. You can get your copy from Amazon here. We hope that you will join us each morning so that we can help you make your day the best it can be! See you tomorrow. Become a patron and support our work at http://www.Patreon.com/thementalbreakdown. Visit Psychreg for blog posts covering a variety of topics within the fields of mental health and psychology. The Parenting Your ADHD Child course is now on YouTube! Check it out at the Paedeia YouTube Channel. The Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Health Child Part 1: Behavior Management is now available on kindle! Get your copy today! The Elimination Diet Manual is now available on kindle and nook! Get your copy today! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube Channels, Paedeia and The Mental Breakdown. Please leave us a review on iTunes so that others might find our podcast and join in on the conversation!

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Adam Vinter, Nebraska's regional outreach manager with Common Sense Media, joins the show to share about the significant updates to their digital citizenship curriculum. The conversation explores the reimagining of digital literacy and well-being education, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the rapidly changing technological landscape. Adam discusses the six core topics of the curriculum, the integration of AI literacy, and the engaging lesson formats designed to foster critical thinking and essential skills in students. The episode also highlights the developmental progression of digital literacy education from kindergarten through eighth grade and provides resources for educators to effectively implement these lessons in their classrooms. To learn more, visit Common Sense Media's education page at https://www.commonsense.org/education

A new study from Common Sense Media, a group that studies and advocates for using screens and digital media sensibly, found that 70 percent of teens have used AI companions, platforms designed to serve as “digital friends.” As the technology gets more sophisticated, experts worry about AI's potential to exacerbate crises of loneliness and youth mental health. Brandon Jones, the executive director of the Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health, joined Minnesota Now to share more about this. Hear more from our special series on AI in schoolsPerspective from a Minnesota teacher turned AI education consultantSt. Paul teacher says it's 'like bringing a forklift to the gym'Minnesota high school student weighs the benefits and pitfalls of AI

In today's episode, we'll review the contents of the AI Literacy Toolkit for Families co-created by Common Sense Media and Day of AI. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Today's kids are growing up online, and parenting hasn't kept pace. In this episode, Betsy Bozdech from Common Sense Media unpacks the real challenges of raising digital natives. From screen time to AI, the conversation dives into what families need to know but rarely talk about. If you think tech is the problem, think again.What to expect in this episode:Why technology is not just a distraction, but a lifeline for today's kidsHow digital life blends with real life for digital nativesWhat parents need to understand before removing screens as punishmentWhy modeling healthy tech habits is more powerful than strict rulesHow to build trust and safety around online exposure, even when kids see things too soonAbout Betsy Bozdech, MSJ Betsy is the editorial director and head of ratings and reviews at Common Sense Media, where she's spent nearly two decades helping families navigate the digital world with clarity and confidence. With a background in both parenting and entertainment media, she brings a unique lens to evaluating content and guiding parents through today's complex tech landscape. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Betsy's career has included roles at BabyCenter, Reel.com, AOL's Digital City, and Netflix. She has also served as a film festival juror, Comic-Con panel moderator, and is a member of the Alliance of Women Film Journalists.Connect with BetsyWebsite: Common Sense Media LinkedIn: Betsy Bozdech Instagram: @betsyboz Bluesky: Betsy BozdechThread: @betsyboz Related Links: Tech Overwhelm & The Metaverse https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-050-tech-overwhelm-the-metaverse/id1565976964?i=1000554934192Teaching Kids To Be Responsible With Technology https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-067-teaching-kids-to-be-responsible-with-technology/id1565976964?i=1000570541922 Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/gift.Read the full blog here:https://impactparents.com/screen-time-safety-and-smart-tech-use-with-common-sense-mediaConnect with Impact Parents:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparentsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParentsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparentsSponsors"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD InterventionDo you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

In this episode, we talk about AI (and other things)! We discuss the growing concerns surrounding school surveillance tools, examining case studies where innocent student jokes have led to harsh outcomes due to automated threat detection. Shifting gears, we look at the availability of AI tools like Gemini Pro and ChatGPT for college students, including student discount programs. Also, we analyze a recent Common Sense Media report on AI teacher assistants, discussing their moderate risk rating, potential for invisible influence, concerns about novice teachers taking content as fact, and the risks associated with using AI for high-stakes circumstances like IEP creation or grading.    Much of the episode is spent unpacking Jay's K12TechPro survey regarding Gemini and NotebookLM in classrooms, revealing current district policies on AI use for staff and students, and the presence (or absence) of board policies.   Referenced URLs: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/08/07/ai-school-surveillance-gaggle-goguardian-bark/473cb556-737e-11f0-84e0-485bb531abeb_story.html https://apnews.com/article/ai-school-surveillance-gaggle-goguardian-bark-8c531cde8f9aee0b1ef06cfce109724a https://gemini.google/students/ https://help.openai.com/en/articles/10986084-student-discounts-for-chatgpt-terms-of-service https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/featured-content/files/csm-ai-risk-assessment-ai-teacher-assistants-final.pdf 00:00:00-Intro 00:14:21-Gemini & ChatGPT Student Promo 00:16:00-Surveilling Students 00:19:15-Common Sense Media - Bias in AI 00:25:43-Are you enabling AI for students? -------------------- PowerGistics Lightspeed (Check out Signal!) Fortinet -------------------- Join the K12TechPro Community (exclusively for K12 Tech professionals) Buy some swag (shirts, hoodies...)!!! Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR our "professional" email addy is info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 X @k12techtalkpod Facebook Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

We kicked off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about!Mass Lottery Produces Estimated $1.065 Billion In Net Profit For The Commonwealth In Fiscal Year 2025 - Record-setting sales for Keno and highest prize payout percentage to date for players!Guest: State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission 1 in 3 children in Massachusetts experiences clothing insecurity. Serious and often overlooked crisis: underwear insecurity. Cocotree Kids, a MA nonprofit, launched $10K fundraising campaign with hopes of providing 2,800 underserved children across Massachusetts with a weeks' worth of underwear. Campaign kicked off August 5th & they already hit their goal! Guest: Catherine Maloy, Founder and Executive Director of Cocotree Kids Teens say they are turning to AI for friendship. More than 70% of teens have used AI companions and half use them regularly, according to a new study from Common Sense Media, a group that studies and advocates for using screens and digital media sensibly. Guest: Dr. Supreet Mann, Director of Research at Common Sense Media How Goose the water monitor lizard was captured after two weeks on the loose! Guest: Captain Scott Amati – MA Environmental Police  

A research team discovers that AI models can inherit risky behaviors from other models. Common Sense Media asked 1060 US teens how they used AI. We examine and discuss their responses to high profile questions. What's the buzz surrounding the latest crowdfunded gaming handheld, the OneXSugar – Sugar 1. And a research team at Meta develops a wristband that lets you interact with a computer using just hand gestures. Starring Sarah Lane, Tom Merritt, Scott Johnson, Roger Chang, Joe. To read the show notes in a separate page click here! Support the show on Patreon by becoming a supporter!

Megan Lynch discusses the trend of teenagers turning to artificial intelligence for companionship instead of live persons with Robbie Torney, Senior Director of AI Programs at Common Sense Media.

"Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed." - G.K. Chesterton   Summary Movies shape more than behavior — they form the imagination, the moral compass, and the heart. Catholic parents are not merely protecting innocence; they are cultivating virtue and wonder. In this episode, we explore how stories shape our children, how to choose wisely, and how to use movies as part of a rich Catholic family culture. Jesus used stories to teach. So do we.   Key Takeaways   Here are four filters that parents can use to decide what movies to watch with their children:   Content – Surface-level: language, nudity, violence, disrespect. Different for every family.  Talk about this with spouse May change as the kids get older Context / Theme–  Does it glorify sin, or does it show redemption? Does this movie affirm the dignity of the human person? What's the movie saying about truth, identity, family, and faith? Does it honor the sacrificial nature of love? Does it support the family or undermine it? Is faith treated with reverence, or ridicule? Beauty Is it ugly?is does it nourish the soul and imagination? Is this edifying? Does it educate, challenge, or cause me to grow and bear good fruit? Character Arc – Are the heroes virtuous? Are sinners redeemed? Remember: It's not enough to avoid what is harmful. We must actively seek what is holy, good, and true.

This week we're joined by Jill Murphy, Chief Content Officer at Common Sense Media, and self-proclaimed Golden Girls superfan. Jill has been at the forefront of media literacy since 2005, helping families navigate everything from streaming shows and video games, to social media apps and classroom tech. We talk about raising kids in a world of YouTube, iPads, and AI, how to build real connection through co-viewing, and how media can be a meaningful part of family life when approached with curiosity and care. Connect with Common Sense Media: Website: commonsense.org Instagram: @commonsenseorg

JAWS is celebrating 50 years since it came out, and while there's those of us that LOVE the movie, what about the people who don't (and are wrong for it)?Well this week, we dive deep into the 1 star reviews on Letterboxd, iMDB and more, and see what nonsense people have to say.Check out all the reviews in the links below:LetterboxdIMDBRotten TomatoesCommon Sense MediaCheck out our friends:Dissect That FilmAnd for more Bucket of Chum, check out the links below:Join the Patreon!For only $2 USD a month you'll get a bonus episode each month, a newsletter, and more!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bucket of Chum Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on Letterboxd ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠Check out the YouTube ChannelTheme song written and performed by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mike TrebilcockThanks to the Patrons!Benji IrwinArties AngelsKatie LampeCassandraJennifer HallmanScott McCallumBrett ParkerTom Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of In AI We Trust?, Miriam & Nuala speak with Common Sense Senior Director of AI Programs Robbie Torney to discuss AI's impact on children, families, and schools, focusing on AI literacy, which builds upon media and digital literacy. Robbie advises parents to engage in tech conversations with curiosity and empathy and encourages educators to view AI as a tool to enhance learning, noting students' prevalent use. Common Sense Media provides AI training and risk assessments for educators. Torney aims to bridge digital divides and supports AI implementation in underserved schools, highlighting risks of AI companions for vulnerable youth and developing resources for school AI readiness and risk assessments. The episode stresses the importance of AI literacy and critical thinking to navigate AI's complexities and minimize harm.The EqualAI AI Literacy podcast series builds on In AI We Trust?'s global reach, focusing specifically on AI literacy. Featuring prominent leaders in the technology, education, and governance fields, this special series provides listeners with valuable insights and discussions around AI's impact on society, leading efforts in this area of AI literacy, and how listeners can benefit from these experts and tools.Related ResourcesEpisode Blog PostAI Risk AssessmentsAI Basics for K–12 TeachersParents' Ultimate Guide to AI Companions and Relationships2025: The Common Sense Census2024: The Dawn of the AI Era

Common Sense Media reports that kids birth to 8 years old are spending 2.5 hours a day consuming media. Nearly a quarter of of kids have an internet connected smartphone by age 8. Why is this and what can be done to reverse course?

 Is this a tech “eat” tech world? Just how much tech is too much?Listen to our hosts discuss Ed Tech, social media and cell phones in schools, with Common Sense Media's voice of reason, Merve Lapus. Lapus has a next level approach to how to parent and teach using tech, and some strong words of advice on how to guide teens through the tech heavy world we all share.  — We want to hear from you! Shoot over an email and say hi: podthebalancingact@gmail.com Don't forget to subscribe! Leave us a comment!    Follow  Facebook - podbalact JoeandJamie Instagram - @podthebalancingact TikTok - @thebalancingactpodcast Twitter - @podbalact Youtube Channel - The Balancing Act - YouTube Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Craig Dehut is a film school graduate and CEO of Appian Media. Appian Media has produced multiple documentary series filmed on location in Israel, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan. All their content is available free to watch and serves as a valuable resource for families, teachers, and preachers seeking biblically accurate content with high production values.Craig and I talked about how Hollywood influences the culture, sometimes in subtle ways, and how families can fight back. Today, most people would agree when you say Hollywood is corrupting the culture. But this attitude is fairly recent. The mask has dropped. Hollywood's agenda has become obvious.But they have had an agenda for a long, long time. Far longer than most people would like to admit.Hollywood's InfluenceThe American movie industry operated under the Hays Code, a moral code that governed what could be shown in films. Portrayals of the family, profanity, sex, violence, and more were all regulated.Eventually, a theater agreed to show a movie with profanity. And nothing bad happened. No mechanism exists to actually enforce the code.Explicit portrayals of evil, sex, violence, and more aren't the only ways movies can negatively affect viewers. More skilled filmmakers know how to get people to feel a certain way. Audiences might reject something if stated outright, but gradually accept the same idea if it is skillfully embedded in a story.Some examples:* Creating morally gray protagonists so viewers justify questionable actions* Using visual techniques like color to evoke specific emotions without viewers realizing what's happening* Employing camera angles, music, and editing to manipulate audience feelingsHow Families Can Respond* Acknowledge the influence: Recognize that media does affect you and your children.* Research before watching: Use resources like Common Sense Media and Kids in Mind to evaluate content before viewing. Don't trust their overall judgement. Really dig into the details, because they're threshold of appropriateness is probably different than your own. Do not trust by default.* Consider filtering services: Platforms like VidAngel and Clearplay can help filter objectionable content from films. Take sovereignty over your entertainment choices.* Create better alternatives: Instead of just criticizing, learn the skills to create high-quality media that communicates biblical truth. Check out resources like Tomorrow's Filmmakers.* Engage critically: Have conversations with your children about the messages in media, asking what lessons they learned and discussing the worldview being presented.* Ask the right questions: Instead of just asking "Is there anything bad in this?", ask "Is there something good, noble, trustworthy and praiseworthy in this content?" (referencing Philippians 4:8)We also make some recommendations on what media to watch. Take this seriously. You wouldn't just grab random things from the grocery store to stuff into your mouth. Treat your media consumption with the same gravity. Stories feed your soul. Don't force-feed it poison or junk food.This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.foundationfather.com/subscribe

The days of linear career paths are over. People are switching jobs more often, making their career journeys more complex than ever. In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics found that people only stay in their jobs for an average of four years. That much change and complexity can be intimidating for students and professionals to navigate. How, as an educator, do you get your students ready to enter their own careers, when it may feel like a quest without a map? Enter: Jessica Lindl.  Jessica Lindl is the author of The Career Game Loop: Learn to Earn in the New Economy and VP of Ecosystem Growth at Unity Technologies. She has over 20 years of experience running various education and impact business ventures and P&Ls. Over her career, she has focused on empowering millio ns of learners building careers and businesses with technology. In her work at Unity Technologies, Common Sense Media, GlassLab and LRNG (now part of Southern New Hampshire University), Scientific Learning, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, she has worked to improve learning outcomes and earning potential for all learners worldwide by blending effectiveness with ground-breaking engagement.  In this episode, we chat with Jessica about her new book, The Career Game Loop. We discuss helping students upskill and achieve their career goals using gaming principles. Covering everything from quests, levels, and community, Jessica shares how you can prepare your learners for the careers of their dreams.  Want to learn more about Jessica's book? Get all the details here.  Check out resources from Jessica's team at Unity here.  Connect with fellow educators in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here.    Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here.     

Danny Weiss with Common Sense Media joined the show to talk about the dangers of AI companions for children. The organization is recommending those under 18 avoid AI companions. 

This story is from our friends at the Dorktales Storytime Podcast! In this story, when Jonathan and his hedgehog pal, Redge, learn that their Apple tree won't flower, they have to call on the mystical hedgewitch, Zinnia Fig! And so in she flies on a bunch of wild onions to help them out. Ok - if you're ready - away weee gooo! ☀️ Dorktales Storytime is the award-winning podcast for kids and their pop culture-loving grownups! Join host Jonathan Cormur and the ever-charming Mr. Reginald T. Hedgehog for reimagined fairy tales with social-emotional themes, inspiring stories of history's hidden heroes, and boundless imaginary adventures. Recognized by Common Sense Media with an official seal for quality and impact. Featured by Apple Podcasts as one of the best in Kids & Family.

It's not only about digital boundaries. Washington Post tech columnist Geoffrey Fowler, in conversation with host Cristina Quinn, shares insights on physical and social boundaries we need to put in place to reclaim our focus. He offers tips like setting expectations at work and designating screen-free hours with family. And addiction psychiatrist Anna Lembke reminds us why breaking free from digital distractions isn't just an individual effort, but a collective one.By the end of this episode, you'll have a full tool kit of strategies to reclaim your focus, build healthier habits and create a more intentional relationship with your devices.Geoff recommends using Common Sense Media as a source guide for creating rules and boundaries around phone use for kids. They also offer a handy family contract which you can access right here.Watch the full conversation between Geoffrey and Cristina on YouTube. Subscribe to The Washington Post or connect your subscription in Apple Podcasts.

Merve Lapus is the Vice President of Education Outreach and Engagement at Common Sense Media. He joins Marlon and Hannah to explore the challenges of raising kids in a digital world. They dive into screen time, social media, and the digital experiences shaping today's youth, offering insights on how families can take a values-driven approach while fostering confidence and connection. Connect with Common Sense Media: Website: commonsense.org Instagram: @commonsenseorg More from Merve:Website: mervelapus.com Instagram: @molapus

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education, but when we think about AI in the classroom, we often picture high school or college students using it for research, coding, or content creation. But what about elementary school? Can AI be a valuable tool for our youngest learners? In Episode 260 of House of #EdTech, I sit down with Dan Gallagher, an experienced ed tech coach, to explore how AI can be integrated into elementary education. We dive into the best tools, practical applications, and strategies to ensure AI enhances learning while keeping students safe and engaged. Why AI Belongs in the Elementary Classroom Many educators hesitate to introduce AI to young students, concerned about privacy, ethics, and age-appropriate usage. But as Dan explains, AI isn't about replacing teachers—it's about enhancing personalized learning and supporting creativity. AI can act as a creative brainstorming partner, a writing assistant, and even a storytelling coach, helping students generate ideas and refine their work in ways that keep them engaged and excited about learning. And the best part? When used correctly, AI doesn't replace human interaction—it amplifies a teacher's ability to provide personalized feedback. Real-World AI Applications for Young Learners So, how does this work in a real classroom setting? Dan shares some inspiring examples: 1. AI-Powered Creative Writing & Storytelling Using AI chatbots like “Waffles” (a controlled, kid-friendly chatbot), students can interact with a virtual writing partner that helps them develop their storytelling skills. The AI can ask them engaging questions, suggest details, and even provide feedback on their writing. Example Activity: A student writing a story about a time traveler can ask the AI for historical facts, unique setting ideas, or character inspiration. The AI generates possibilities, but the student makes all the creative decisions! 2. Visual Learning & Digital Art with AI Tools AI-powered platforms like Canva's text-to-image generator allow young students to turn their ideas into visual representations. Example Activity: A class studying idioms might create posters using AI-generated images. If a student picks "It's raining cats and dogs," AI can generate an imaginative illustration, sparking discussion about figurative language. 3. Personalized Learning & AI Tutors AI can function as a virtual tutor, adapting to each student's needs. Platforms like Magic School AI provide instant feedback on writing assignments, while School AI can assist with generating lesson plans tailored to students' learning levels. Example Activity: A teacher might use AI to provide instant feedback on students' sentence structures, guiding them to refine their writing step by step instead of waiting for the teacher to get to each student individually. Addressing Safety & Ethical Concerns Of course, introducing AI in elementary education requires a responsible approach. Privacy, misinformation, and ethical use are all valid concerns. Dan and I discuss some best practices to keep AI use safe and effective: Use AI platforms with built-in content moderation (e.g., School AI, which ensures safe interactions). Set up AI usage in a controlled, “walled garden” environment where students can explore safely. Teach students critical thinking skills to evaluate AI-generated content—just because AI provides an answer doesn't mean it's always correct! Engage parents and school administrators by explaining how AI is being used responsibly in the classroom. Parents, in particular, may be hesitant, so educators should communicate the benefits while addressing concerns about safety. Tools like Common Sense Media can be great resources for helping families navigate AI responsibly. How Teachers Can Get Started with AI in Elementary Classrooms If you're an educator wondering how to introduce AI to younger students, here are some practical first steps: Start with simple AI tools like Google AutoDraw, which turns students' rough sketches into polished images. Use AI for brainstorming, not answers—help students see AI as a tool for sparking ideas, not just getting solutions. Model AI usage during lessons—demonstrate how you use AI to generate ideas or enhance lesson materials. Encourage creativity—have students work in groups to refine AI-generated content rather than taking it at face value. Final Thoughts: AI as a Partner in Education This episode is a reminder that AI is not just for older students or tech-savvy classrooms—it has the potential to unlock creativity, enhance engagement, and support personalized learning for young learners as well. AI won't replace teachers, but it can help them provide better support to more students—a true game-changer in today's classrooms.

This week, I invited my four siblings--Cassie Gadd, Brad Singley, Brett Singley, and Hayley Kirkland--into the studio to talk about our top family movies. We intended to each share 5 favorite movies from our childhood and then in our own families, but we definitely got carried away. I'm going to list our childhood movies and then our current favorite family movies by the person who recommended them. I'll omit the ones that we mentioned but do not recommend. (Sorry, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) We also talk about how we make family movie nights happen and what they look like for each of us.  Of course, check ratings and Commonsensemedia.org to decide if these movie are appropriate for your families.  Movies from Our Childhood (80s and 90s) Musicals: Sound of Music, Singing in the Rain, Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof, Newsies, Meet Me In St Louis, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (proceed with caution), Peter Pan (with Mary Martin. Definitely niche), Alice in Wonderland (made for TV movie), Into the Woods All ages:  Three Amigos, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Nacho Libre, Princess Bride (Teen? Those ROUSes are pretty scary), Hook, Sandlot, Three Ninjas, Swiss Family Robinson, That Darn Cat, Flight of the Navigator, Sister Act Teens: Happy Gilmore, Goonies, Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, So I Married An Axe Murderer, Life Is Beautiful Suspense: Rear Window Top Movies for our Own Families Whitney: Dan in Real Life, Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Hitch, Hunt for the Wilderpeople (language), The Truman Show, Castaway Cassie: Jurassic Park, Blackbeard's Ghost, Remember the Titans, Princess Bride, Night at the Museum, National Treasure Brad: Safety Last, School of Rock (language), Fantastic Mr. Fox, Hunt for the Wilderpeople (language), The Red Balloon, What About Bob, Raising Arizona Brett: My Neighbor Totoro, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Surf's Up, Three Ninjas, All Lego Movies Hayley: School of Rock (language), Princess Bride, Hook, Singing in the Rain, Music Man, Newsies, Paddington 2, Napoleon Dynamite, Monty Python and the Holy Grail   Weekly Open Lab: Wednesdays at 10 am MT (through April 30 2025, then resuming in September)  Join Whitney in her virtual studio to share ideas, solve problems, craft experiments, chat about past and future episodes, discuss this quarter's book, or just drop in to say hi!  https://riverside.fm/studio/listener-ideas?t=880793c622433a15fcce

Season 2 of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace (TCCoNG)- 'Binge or Bust?' episodes 3 and 4 are here! Recaps of season 2, episodes 5 and 6, as well as season 3, episode 1, coming this week! SEASON 3 RECAPS OF EPISODES 1 AND 2 ALREADY ON PATREON!!Ash is joined by former co-host Fallon Morey to give you the DL on what Common Sense Media's Stephen Morgan called, an "unbalanced portrayal" that "may leave viewers with more questions than answers". Check out the trailer for Good American Family and get fired tf up with us! Full versions of these episodes below!"The Curious Case of Natalia Grace" Binge or Bust - Ep. 3: By Any Means Necessary"The Curious Case of Natalia Grace" Binge or Bust - Ep. 4: Houses of HorrorGood American Family trailer✨Please consider joining us on Patreon for as little as $5 a month- your support means the world!

3500 TEENS ・ 2 RESEARCHERS ・ 1 QUESTION What are adults missing about teens and technology? A lot. Harvard University Project Zero researchers, Common Sense Media collaborators, and real-life parents Emily Weinstein and Carrie James are the authors of BEHIND THEIR SCREENS: What Teens are Facing (and Adults are Missing). In their book, James and Weinstein combine their years of research on technology use by adolescents—including data gathered during the first year of the COVID pandemic—to explore how teens use their phones, messaging apps, social media, and more to navigate their real-world relationships in new and surprising ways. The authors also have the benefit of the expertise of teens themselves. By working with dozens of middle and high school students across the United States—part of the authors' Teen Advisory Council—Weinstein and James explain in adolescents' own words why they do what they do online, and what tweens and teens wish their parents understood about the connected world they're living in. Emily Weinstein is a Research Director at Project Zero at Harvard and a Lecturer at the Graduate School of Education. Carrie James is a sociologist and Principle Investigator at Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is the author of Disconnected: Youth, New Media, and the Ethics Gap (MIT Press). The authors' work has been covered in Time, the Boston Globe, the Washington Post, and the Atlantic, and they are sought-after speakers on teens and technology. You can learn more at www.behindtheirscreens.com         Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we're joined by Ellen Pack, Co-CEO of Common Sense Media, an organization dedicated to helping families navigate the digital world. Ellen shares her journey from founding Women.com, one of the first major online platforms for women, to leading Common Sense Media, where she's shaping the conversation around kids, technology, and AI.Ellen dives into the biggest challenges and opportunities facing families today, including how AI is influencing kids' media consumption, the growing trust issues around online content, and what parents can do to foster healthy digital habits at home. She also breaks down the findings from Common Sense Media's latest research, including insights from The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Kids Zero to Eight and Teens, Trust, and Technology in the Age of AI.If you're a parent, educator, or just curious about how technology is shaping the next generation, this episode is packed with must-know insights and actionable advice. Tune in now on The Kara Goldin Show! Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at karagoldin@gmail.com. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks. To learn more about Ellen Pack and Common Sense Media:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenpack/https://www.instagram.com/commonsenseorg/https://twitter.com/commonsensehttps://www.commonsensemedia.org/ Sponsored By:Range Rover Sport - The Range Rover Sport is your perfect ride. Visit LandRoverUSA.com and check it out.Open Phone - OpenPhone is offering 20% off your first 6 months! Just go to OpenPhone.com/KaraGoldin Check out our website to view this episode's show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/665

We're celebrating our 100th episode of Bar Fights with part 2 of Dr. Supreet Mann's interview to further discuss the impact of media use on young minds. This week, we're shifting the focus of the conversation to our littlest kids. Sarah and Dr. Mann delve into Common Sense Media's most recent census that investigates media usage by kids 8 and under. This episode is a real eye-opener for all parents! For a deeper dive into all the impactful research conducted by Common Sense Media, please visit https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research

Send us a textLawton Smith is a literacy advocate focused on adolescent reading engagement and the co-founder and CEO of Literal (LiteralApp.com). Praised as a “game changer”, a “Top Tech for Advanced Learners of ELA”, and awarded a rare five stars out-of-five for “Student Engagement” by Common Sense Media, Literal is an all-in-one digital reading platform for modern classrooms that is fundamentally changing what it means to read books on screens.

Budgeting is one of the most misunderstood and frustrating parts of nonprofit work, whether you're leading an organization, raising funds, or managing marketing and communications.  In this episode, Spencer Brooks sits down with Jim Carroll, CEO of The diaTribe Foundation, to break down key budgeting misconceptions, explain how different revenue models shape financial decisions, and share strategies for securing more funding.  Whether you're an Executive Director balancing competing priorities, a fundraiser navigating restricted and unrestricted dollars, or a marketing professional making the case for more resources, this episode will give you the insights you need to approach budgeting with confidence. About the guest Jim Carroll is the CEO of The diaTribe Foundation after seven years as the Vice President of Finance and Administration at Common Sense Media and 6 years as the Managing Director of Equality California where he led the team to successfully pass over 70 pieces of legislation to achieve legal equality for LGBT Californians. He also worked at an environmental health organization called The Breast Cancer Fund and at the National office of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Jim graduated from the University of Florida and lives with his husband, Scott, and his yellow Labrador retriever, Atlas, in San Francisco.  Resources New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/Axios: https://www.axios.com/The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/ Contact Jim Website: https://diatribe.org/foundationLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-carroll-b4004b6/

Talking about sexual health is so much more than just going over how reproduction works. Relationships, safety, personal boundaries, porn (more than half of kids have seen porn by the time they are 13!) and so many other topics are related! That is why we are so thankful to talk with Deni Tobin, the Violence Prevention Education Supervisor at our partner the Crime Victims Center of Chester County. Deni facilitates CVC's “Smarter Parents” program that empowers parents to talk to their kids of all ages about sexual health and development. Deni shares key points of the program including: how to keep an open connection with your child, safety with strangers especially on the internet, consent, and how to be more comfortable talking about what can feel like a “cringe” topic. We also talk about staying shame free, how to deal with learning about sex online, and SKIBIDI TOILET - if you know you know! Join us!     Things we mentioned in this episode:   It's So Amazing Book and Series by Robie H. Harris   The report, "Teens and Pornography," found that 73% of teen respondents age 13 to 17 have watched pornography online—and more than half (54%) reported first seeing pornography by the time they reached the age of 13. Read more here from Common Sense Media.   If you are interested in a program or contacting Deni please email education@cvcofcc.org    Follow CVC on FaceBook to stay updated on dates for the next Smarter Parents program and other events!   The Crime Victims' Center of Chester County, Inc. (CVC) is a nonprofit agency providing free, immediate, and confidential crisis response and compassionate support to children and adults impacted by sexual violence and all other crime. We provide assistance through counseling, advocacy, resources, and education. The Center fosters community awareness and understanding through its comprehensive outreach and prevention programs.   Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we'll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation!   You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you!   Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc  Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeok9Z1R_xkbYmMFlcXjOZw Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes.    Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE. 

This week's episode of Bar Fights is all about our kids and their access to pornography. A must-listen for all parents, this episode unpacks some shocking research about the  effects of  pornography on young minds— what is the average age of exposure for a child's first viewing of pornography? How does this exposure impact a child's mental and emotional development and their growing perception of themselves? Sarah is joined by Dr. Supreet Mann – director of research at Common Sense Media and an expert on children's development at the hands of social influences and media. Sarah and Supreet share the common commitment to keep kids safe. This is an episode you won 't want to miss.   For more information about Common Sense Media and the work they do to make the internet a safer place for children, please visit https://www.commonsense.org/. 

Ash Here! We asked our wonderful PATRONS, if they wanted us to wrap up what Common Sense Media's Stephen Morgan called, an "unbalanced portrayal" that "may leave viewers with more questions than answers," The Curious Case of Natalia Grace (TCCoNG).Six and a half of them said yes, and when I saw the trailer for Hulu's upcoming HIT PIECE, ahem, "mini-series" Good American Family, I voted the other 3.5, and you all, in! Recaps of the FINAL (honestly tho TBD with ID, because it's them... ammirite??) episodes coming next week! And in the meantime, recap yourself on Natalia's whole story from birth, until where we left her at the end of season 2!We've compiled all 7 Natalia episodes into 3 more compact episodes, for your listening pleasure. Starting with Ash and Megan from Give Us Morgue ! Unfortunately the file is too long for the public feed so we had to break it into 2 parts. And in the next section of this mega-sode, we have former co-host Ali and cult survivor and friend of the podcast, Chauntee Pitts!Good American Family trailerNatalia Grace Backstory and Update"The Curious Case of Natalia Grace" Binge or Bust - Ep. 1: Age, Rage & the Big Lie"The Curious Case of Natalia Grace" Binge or Bust - Ep. 2: For the Love of Money (YouTube Live)

Tablets and iPads are finding younger and younger owners according to Common Sense Media. Why, though, are we giving toddlers tablets?

She Persisted is THE Gen Z mental health podcast. In each episode, Sadie brings you authentic, accessible, relatable conversations about every aspect of mental wellness. Expect evidence-based, Gen Z-approved resources, coping skills (lots of DBT), insights, and education in each piece of content you consume. She Persisted offers you a safe space to feel validated and understood in your struggle while encouraging you to take ownership of your journey and build your life worth living.Sadie Sutton is a 22-year-old aspiring clinical psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania. At 14, she underwent a year and a half of intensive treatment (3East McLean Hospital + a therapeutic boarding school) for severe depression and anxiety. Compelled to share her insights from her journey, She Persisted was born. A firm believer that if we're not progressing, we're regressing, Sadie is always looking for ways to expand her mental health toolbox and broaden her perspective on psychology—and of course, bringing you along for the journey.Since launching in 2019, She Persisted has garnered over 300,000 downloads and reached millions across social media. The podcast has been featured in the Sunday New York Times and recognized by NBC, Today.com, Bustle, ABC7 Bay Area, KSBW, and Common Sense Media. Past media partners include Amazon Prime Student, BetterHelp, Crisis Text Line, Active Minds, Lumate, Truth Initiative, Bubble, and Magic Mind. The show has welcomed leading experts and advocates, including Dr. Steven Hollon, Zachery Dereniowski, Victoria Garrick Browne, Dr. Kojo Sarfo, Dr. Aliza Pressman, Dr. AnneMarie Albano, Dr. David Yeager, and Dr. Uma Naidoo. Beyond the podcast, Sadie continues to advocate for mental health, regularly speaking at high schools, panels, and webinars, and sharing her expertise on over 45 podcasts.@shepersistedpodcastinquiries@shepersistedpodcast.comshepersistedpodcast.com© 2020 SHE PERSISTED LLC. This podcast is copyrighted subject matter owned by SHE PERSISTED LLC.

On this week's Education Gadfly Show podcast, Jing Liu (University of Maryland) and Seth Gershenson (American University), authors of our latest report, Ready or Not? A New Way to Measure Elementary and Middle School Quality, join Mike and David to explore how tracking students' future GPAs could offer a clearer measure of school quality. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber reviews a new study on young children's evolving media consumption habits and their effects.Recommended content: Jing Liu, Ph.D. Seth Gershenson, Ph.D. and Max Anthenelli, Ready or Not? A New Way to Measure Elementary and Middle School Quality, Thomas B. Fordham Institute (February 20, 2025).David Griffith and Amber Northern, “Make room, test scores: Introducing “indicators of high school and middle school readiness,” Thomas B. Fordham Institute (February 20, 2025). Supreet Mann, Angela Calvin, Amanda Lenhart, and  Michael Robb, The 2025 Common Sense Census: Media Use by Kids Zero to Eight, Common Sense Media (2025)Feedback Welcome: Have ideas for improving our podcast? Send them to Stephanie Distler at sdistler@fordhaminstitute.org.

In this special on-site episode of the Washington AI Network Podcast, host Tammy Haddad reports from the 2025 Paris AI Action Summit at the historic Grand Palais, where French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened top innovators, investors, and policymakers. Tammy interviews SCSP fellow Eli Sugarman on the launch of their Robust Open Online Safety Tools (ROOST.Tools); Common Sense Media founder Jim Steyer; former French ambassador to the U.S. Philippe Étienne; Avenir founder Andrew Sugrue; Station F director Roxanne Varza; and Axios chief technology correspondent Ina Fried and about Europe's booming AI ecosystem, open-source safety initiatives, global governance, cutting-edge investments, and the urgent need to protect children and families—all underscoring a call for inclusive, responsible innovation.

Research from Pew, Gallup, and Common Sense Media point directly to the need for parents to bravely restrict media and technology use. These reports reveal some shocking numbers about time on social media but after evaluating the three together it is obvious that the teens who have parents that restrict fare far better than those who do not.

We're experimenting and would love to hear from you!In this episode of 'Discover Daily', host Sienna takes viewers on a deep dive into the evolving landscape of AI technology and its legal implications. At the forefront is Tesla's revolutionary announcement of their upcoming autonomous robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, scheduled for June 2025, which promises to reshape urban transportation through their advanced 'unsupervised' Full Self-Driving technology.The episode then explores a critical shift in how younger generations perceive technology companies, highlighting recent findings from Common Sense Media that reveal growing skepticism among American teenagers. This investigation into teen distrust covers crucial aspects of data privacy, ethical decision-making, and the responsible development of AI technology, offering valuable insights into the future of digital engagement.The show culminates with an in-depth analysis of the U.S. Copyright Office's latest guidelines on AI-assisted creative works. This segment demystifies the complex intersection of artificial intelligence and copyright law, examining how human creativity must interact with machine-generated content to qualify for legal protection, and what this means for creators in an AI-driven world.From Perplexity's Discover Feed: https://www.perplexity.ai/page/tesla-robotaxi-to-launch-in-ju-MZ4hg3QOQFmus7zo1ai3cQ https://www.perplexity.ai/page/teens-lose-trust-in-big-tech-uwQZ2uoSSMyp16iZmlJpTQ https://www.perplexity.ai/page/ai-assisted-work-can-be-copyri-z15EDTsYQkKblOroPtnhmg Perplexity is the fastest and most powerful way to search the web. Perplexity crawls the web and curates the most relevant and up-to-date sources (from academic papers to Reddit threads) to create the perfect response to any question or topic you're interested in. Take the world's knowledge with you anywhere. Available on iOS and Android Join our growing Discord community for the latest updates and exclusive content. Follow us on: Instagram Threads X (Twitter) YouTube Linkedin

As a friend of the show, HOMER is offering you a FREE 30-day trial of their award-winning, kid-safe app! With engaging stories, fun games, creative activities, and educational videos, HOMER helps build reading, math, and critical thinking skills – all while keeping learning fun and kid-safe. Trusted by Parents' Choice, Mom's Choice, and Common Sense Media, HOMER is a must-have for young learners. Start your child's learning adventure today with a FREE 30-day trial! Visit https://learnwithhomer.com/snoopsniffy to sign up and give your little one a head start in learning and creativity. -- A series of cryptic and unusual puzzles have suddenly appeared around Bark Street. What are these oddly intriguing puzzles and who is responsible? It's time for Snoop and Sniffy to put their coding skills to the test in order to crack this case and catch the culprit!

“Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting” is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested strategies, and psychological insights on raising kids, especially tweens and teens. Join renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and former journalist and mom of two Reena Ninan as they explore real-life parenting challenges. Looking to learn more about how to boost kids' resilience, build their confidence, or support their emotional well-being? Dr. Lisa and Reena have got you covered! Together they address listener questions about stress, anxiety, social media concerns, school pressures, and challenges in peer relationships. Each episode provides practical advice and science-backed solutions to help parents raise resilient, confident, and emotionally healthy kids. Tune in every week for the latest topics in parenting, child psychology, and family wellness. Get answers to your most pressing parenting questions. New episodes drop every Tuesday.  ________________ In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Lisa and Reena tackle the complex and pressing issue of kids viewing porn, exploring why children share pornographic content and the legal ramifications involved. They delve into the challenges of addressing situations like a child receiving pornographic GIFs from a friend, and how parents can intervene effectively. They address the role of AI in creating deepfake porn, the importance of involving authorities when necessary, and practical ways to have open, thoughtful conversations with kids about sex, boundaries, and online safety. We want to hear from you! How do you approach difficult conversations about online safety and explicit content with your kids? Common Sense Media on how to block porn: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/how-to-block-pornography-on-your-childs-devices Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan. Checkout Dr. Lisa's website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/ Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com ________________ Episode Keywords: porn, pornographic GIFs, kids and porn, legal ramifications, AI, deepfake porn Show Keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A survey by nonprofit organization Common Sense Media shows 42% of children in the U.S. have a phone by the age of 10. And numbers like this are causing concern for educators, including a group of headteachers in Greystones, a town in Ireland. That group was so worried by the increased levels of anxiety among children using smartphones and social media that last year they asked parents to sign a voluntary pledge to delay buying cellphones for their children until at least the age of 11. The BBC’s Leanna Byrne checks in to see what effect it had.

A survey by nonprofit organization Common Sense Media shows 42% of children in the U.S. have a phone by the age of 10. And numbers like this are causing concern for educators, including a group of headteachers in Greystones, a town in Ireland. That group was so worried by the increased levels of anxiety among children using smartphones and social media that last year they asked parents to sign a voluntary pledge to delay buying cellphones for their children until at least the age of 11. The BBC’s Leanna Byrne checks in to see what effect it had.

A survey by nonprofit organization Common Sense Media shows 42% of children in the U.S. have a phone by the age of 10. And numbers like this are causing concern for educators, including a group of headteachers in Greystones, a town in Ireland. That group was so worried by the increased levels of anxiety among children using smartphones and social media that last year they asked parents to sign a voluntary pledge to delay buying cellphones for their children until at least the age of 11. The BBC’s Leanna Byrne checks in to see what effect it had.