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10/03/2026

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has rejected the argument that AI companies can police themselves, saying lawsuits are no answer if AI helps kill 100 million people. Speaking on "The Ezra Klein Show," Gates said AI has crossed bioterror and cyberattack thresholds and called for mandatory safeguards and monitoring across all models. His remarks came as US President Donald Trump and top AI CEOs signed a voluntary, non-binding White House AI safety pact.

10/03/2026

Welcome to The Conversation Starter Series 💬

One simple conversation you can have with your child today.

Today’s question:

“What would you do if a friend showed you something you knew you shouldn’t see?”

Kids may find themselves in situations where another child puts something inappropriate in front of them. It helps to talk through what they can do before they’re in that moment.

Talk about turning away, walking away, and telling a trusted adult. Remind them that they don’t have to go along with something just because a friend does.

We want to raise kids who know how to say no, even when their friends are doing something they know isn’t right.

A few minutes of conversation now can give your child a plan for later.

Start the conversation before they need it. 💙

10/03/2026

The scholarship application period for the 2027-2028 school year is now open! Visit our website, sams.adhe.edu, to learn about financial aid options, create a SAMS account, and apply for scholarships.

10/03/2026

I'm not currently in the classroom, but if I was, this is how I would approach the use of AI in a high school course. This sample policy is an attempt to balance the reality that high school students have access to AI while also trying to preserve the goal of helping students develop as critical thinkers and problem solvers.

I don't think there is a perfect solution, but this is what I came up with. I'd love to hear how you are addressing this challenging topic in your classroom.

the first comment includes a link to the policy that you can copy and modify as you wish.

10/03/2026

This is the part of the “get kids outside” dialogue that isn’t appreciated enough. Yes, I can kick my kids outside 🌳 🛝 but so many kids have devices in their pockets with 100M choices waiting to be explored.

This statement came to me after receiving a DM from a mom. Her daughter was harmed by a friend who showed her traumatizing content online. Their family has never been the same.

Friends have always had a profound impact on us. But the potential impacts feel greater today.

Growing up in the 1980s, it took effort in my small town of Bath (yes, Bath 😁) if I was going to do something truly naughty.

But today it’s different.

The distance between our children and life-altering choices is narrower than it was for us. Before, it was miles away. Now it’s a tap away.

This isn’t a fear-based statement. Rather, a prompting to take action. Because too many kids are being hurt by other kids. Which means 3 specific actions to lower the risk of harm:

✅ Prepare the places (pg. 81)
✅ Prepare our kids (pg. 84)
✅ Prepare our homes (pg. 128)

Those are the pages in my book, 5 Habits of the Tech-Ready Family, where I explain each of these in detail: https://a.co/d/0fNjmIrR

For my praying friends, here’s something you can do right away. Turn Psalm 119:37 into a prayer over each of your children: “Turn [insert name] eyes away from worthless things. Preserve [insert name] life according to your word.” 🙏🏼

Parenting with you!
Chris

10/03/2026

Making dinner. Finishing work. Paying bills. Calming an upset child. Finding five minutes to get something done.

These are some of the everyday circumstances surrounding families’ screen use.

New data from the Stanford Center on Early Childhood’s RAPID Survey Project and Children and Screens provide a window into how parents of young children are navigating technology alongside the realities of caregiving.

The findings reinforce why healthy media guidance needs to be practical and why supporting families can’t rest on parents alone.

See what 1,021 caregivers told us: https://bit.ly/4rJFchW

10/03/2026

Looksmaxxing is an online trend focused on improving physical appearance, particularly among boys and young men.

While some content centres on grooming, skincare, diet and exercise, other parts of the trend can promote questionable advice, extreme practices and unrealistic expectations.

Our latest guide explores key concerns, including:
• Pressure around male appearance and body image
• Misleading or potentially dangerous advice
• Obsessive behaviours and declining self-worth
• Mental health concerns
• Exposure to increasingly extreme online communities

It also shares practical advice for parents and educators on recognising looksmaxxing terminology, noticing changes in behaviour and starting supportive conversations about appearance, influencers and online expectations.

Read the guide here: https://vist.ly/5ke3u

Our latest guide supports parents, carers and educators in understanding the trend and recognising when appearance-focused content may be becoming harmful.

The guide explores:
• The targeting of male insecurities and body image concerns
• Misleading advice and extreme appearance-focused practices
• Links to obsessive behaviours and mental health difficulties
• How increasingly extreme online communities can influence young people
• Warning signs, terminology and changes in behaviour to look out for

With clear, practical advice, the resource helps adults open supportive conversations about appearance, influencers and unrealistic expectations.

Access the guide: https://vist.ly/5ke3u

10/03/2026

Did you download iOS 27?

This summer, Apple promised us revamped parental controls:

✅ Pause the internet!
✅ Ask to browse!
✅ Better Downtime controls!

Are they working for you? Probably not. Because Apple forgot to tell us something important.

EVERY device in your Family Sharing group needs to be on iOS 27 for any of the new Screen Time features to work. It's a ridiculous ""oversight"" in their announcement, and just more evidence that nothing at Apple is actually tested by real parents.

If you want to understand the situation better, here's our complete write-up: https://chriswmckenna.substack.com/p/apples-new-parental-controls-are

Annoying, but stick with us to understand these frustrating situations better.

Parenting with you!
Chris

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