Tech Addiction Experts

#1. Do you ever talk to AI just because you're bored or want someone to talk to?

#2. Have you ever asked AI for advice about friends, school, dating, or something you didn't want to tell me?

#3. What do you actually like about talking to AI?

#4. Do any of your friends use AI like a friend?

#5. Has AI ever said something that made you uncomfortable or just felt... weird?

These questions can help you get a better understanding of how AI is already showing up in their life and keep the lines of communication open.

Have you asked your kids about AI companions yet? Did they seem to know more about the topic than you or less?

One of the biggest mistakes I see parents make is creating new screen time rules in the middle of an argument.

Arguments are a terrible time to solve problems.

Your kid is trying to get what they want.

You're trying to stop the behavior.

Neither of you is in the best mindset to create a long-term family plan.

Instead, have these conversations when everyone is calm. Explain why the rules exist, let your kid ask questions, and come up with the expectations together before they're ever tested.

It's a whole lot easier to point back to an agreement than to create a new rule in the middle of an argument.

I've had a lot of parents ask where to start with these conversations, so I put together a free Family Tech Agreement. If it would be helpful, you can grab it through the link in my bio.

Been a busy summer around here…

Haven’t been posting much because we’ve been traveling, doing family stuff, and trying to limit my own screen time.

The good news is that work is still happening behind the scenes. Jason and his team at Uplifter Video are working hard on the Digital Driver’s License Course and I’m excited to share more about it soon.

Hope everyone is having a great summer. And take it as a win every time your kid does something not involving a screen!

It seems like most parents these days are feeling guilty anytime their kid is in front of a screen. I know I can feel that way too.

The news and social media is filled with "screens are ruining our children!" headlines. And while there is a lot of truth in the harms of screens on our children, it's not black and white.

Our current media ecosystem rewards clickbait headlines and hot takes that induce fear and anger. It doesn't reward nuance.

The truth is that it's complicated. Sometimes screens can be good and helpful. Sometimes they can be extremely detrimental and dangerous. The hard part is figuring out the nuance in your own home.

Amount of time is one factor to consider, but there are many other factors to consider when it comes to evaluating your child (or your) relationship with screens.

So take a deep breath and give yourself some grace when it comes to raising your child in a digital world. Not all screen time is absolutely ruining your child.

Follow along for expert advice that is based on the science and the evidence (as we understand it today). Not fear based click-bait.

Questions about Roblox?

Most parents ask: “Is Roblox safe?” But maybe the better question is: What should we do parents before introducing it to our kids? In Part 2, Chris Koniarczyk, licensed mental health counselor and founder of @techaddictionexperts , shares a much more nuanced approach: 1. why he doesn’t recommend Roblox for kids under 8 2. why parental controls matter (but aren’t enough on their own) 3. why slow, intentional introduction is key for younger kids “Parental controls reduce risk, but they don’t eliminate it.” That feels true for so much of parenting in the digital age. There’s rarely a perfect “safe” or “unsafe.” More often, it’s about timing, boundaries, supervision, and helping kids build judgment over time. This is exactly why parents need spaces to ask these questions openly without shame, panic, or pressure to already know the answers. #RaisingHumansInAnAIWorld #AIParenting #DigitalParenting #FutureOfChildhood #AILiteracy