How Generative AI Can Rot Your Brain, (And How To Raise A Reader) | Natalie Wexler | Screen Less Play More Episode 16

I'm mad at men right now. Really mad. And I'm guessing you might be too. The allegations against the Cornell 7 exploded just a couple days after I recorded this interview with Dr. Leonard Sax about his book "Boys Adrift." And reading about that attack unearthed some rage about the incidious harrassment that I, and most women, have been tolerating for decades. Then I suddenly thought, "wait a minute, a podcast episode about the plight of boys and young men is going to seem completely tone deaf and insensitive right now." But when I went back to listen to my conversation with Dr. Sax, I realized that this is, in fact, the perfect time to talk about boys. Because the men that harassed me for decades, the men that hurt many of you out there, and the men that terrorized Jane Doe, were once young boys. I don't know exactly how those boys became who they became.... But the boys of TODAY, the ones in your house right now who are playing with Legos and talking about Minecraft... those are the ones who will potentially be radicalized even faster, younger, and more intensely by the toxic temptations of modern technology – specificallly violent pornography, AI girlfriends, and the Manosphere.

At the same time that you try to keep your kids safe in the digital world, you may be asking "How can I protect my own parents from online scams?" Seniors are a prime target of cyber scams. They grew up trusting that a phone call, email, or letter was legitimate - but they also can have large bank accounts and a lot to lose. The older people in your life are getting duped by: Fake grandkids calling for money. Fake banks asking for transfers. Fake IRS officials texting for social security numbers. Fake I.T. companies asking them to click dangerous links.

Are you worried summer will turn into endless screen time battles? In this episode, Cynthia sits down with screen time expert and Better Screen Time founder Andrea Davis to share practical, realistic ways families can create a low-screen summer without stress, guilt, or perfection. In this replay episode, Andrea gives parents the top 4 questions to ask your kids when school ends and you start your plan.... or when summer gets into a slump midway through. Andrea explains how to reduce kids' screen time by filling summer with meaningful activities, simple routines, hands-on hobbies, outdoor play, family goals, and boredom-friendly ideas that actually work. From toddlers to teens, this conversation is packed with actionable parenting strategies for creating healthier tech habits during summer break. You'll learn: How to create a family summer screen time plan Why boredom can move kids towards meaningful hobbies Screen-free summer activity ideas for toddlers, kids, and teens How to reduce screen time without constant fighting Why screen time shouldn't be used as a reward Healthy phone boundaries for teenagers The best low-effort activities that keep kids occupied longer, note: open-ended toys are golden! How to encourage creativity, independence, and real-world skills Ways to help kids build healthier relationships with technology Andrea also shares: Her "When You Want to Do Nothing" boredom-buster list Tips for collaborative family tech planning How to handle summer phone expectations with teens Why open-ended play matters more than expensive entertainment If you're looking for practical screen time tips, low-screen summer ideas, healthy digital habits, or realistic parenting advice for raising kids in the digital age, this episode is for you. Perfect for parents of toddlers, elementary-age kids, tweens, and teens navigating: summer break screen addiction concerns smartphone boundaries boredom complaints social media limits family tech rules healthier routines for kids Guest: Andrea Davis, founder of Better Screen Time Host: Cynthia Dvorak founder of Screen Less Play More For more on parenting in the digital age, visit ScreenLessPlayMore.com and the Screen Less Play More substack What's the best parenting podcast? Screen Less Play More! screenless playmore

What is social media really doing to kids — and why are even loving, careful parents losing children to online harms? In this powerful episode of Screen Less Play More, Cynthia interviews the team behind the documentary "Your Attention Please," including filmmaker duo Sara Robin and Jack LeMay, along with parent advocate Kristin Bride, whose 16-year-old son Carson committed suicide after severe online cyberbullying. Together, they expose how social media algorithms, addictive app design, anonymous messaging apps, cyberbullying, and AI-driven engagement systems are affecting children's lives and safety. Kristin explains how online bullying and harassment killed her son, through an anonymous app called YOLO, which was integrated into Snapchat. They discuss teen and child mental health, friendships, self-esteem, attention spans, and safety online. This episode explores: the hidden dangers of Snapchat and anonymous apps how algorithms push harmful content to teens the connection between social media and anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and suicide why even "good parents" cannot fully protect kids from online harms the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the fight for tech accountability how Big Tech profits from attention and emotional manipulation practical ways parents can reduce screen time and create healthier childhoods the growing movement toward phone-free schools, offline clubs, and screen-free family life You'll also hear hopeful ideas for reclaiming childhood through more independence, outdoor play, real-world friendships, and intentional family culture. If you're worried about: kids and phones teen mental health cyberbullying screen addiction social media safety AI and children online predators digital parenting raising kids in the digital age …this episode is essential listening. Learn more about the documentary "Your Attention Please" and upcoming screenings at Your Attention Please. For more practical strategies on raising balanced, thriving kids with less screen time and more real-world play, visit Screen Less Play More and Cynthia's substack Screen Less Play More. https://screenlessplaymorepodcast.substack.com/ Thanks for listening!

Are your kids melting down when screens turn off? Wondering how to reduce screen time without constant battles? In this eye-opening conversation, Michaeleen Doucleff (author of "Hunt, Gather, Parent" and "Dopamine Kids") explains why kids crave screens, how the dopamine loop works, and the 5-step method parents can use to help children want real-life hobbies more than video games, YouTube, or Minecraft. Kids Addicted to Screens? 5 Steps to Reduce Screen Time Without a Fight In this episode you'll learn: Why screens trigger craving, not true happiness Whether screen time is rewiring kids' brains How to get kids off screens and ipads and tablets and video games without going cold turkey The "dopamine redirection" method that actually works How to replace Netflix, Fortnite, TikTok and other addictive tech with activities kids love Why boredom is not the answer—and what to build instead How purpose, risky play, and meaningful hobbies protect kids' mental health If you've searched screen addiction in kids, how to stop video game addiction, alternatives to screen time, or how to get kids off Minecraft, this episode is for you. Michaeleen Doucleff is the author of "Dopamine Kids: A Science-Based Plan to Rewire Your Child's Brain and Take Back Your Family in the Age of Screens and Ultraprocessed Foods" and she gives us so many parenting hacks and parenting tips to get our kids off screens and back to real life! Welcome to Screen Less Play More! Screen Less Play More is the best parenting podcast for families asking, how much screen time is too much, how to reduce screen time for kids, and how do I increase outside play for kids? Host Cynthia Dvorak shares practical tips for parenting, expert advice, screen free activities for kids, and outside activities for kids. This is the show that gives you practical tools for reducing screen time battles, ensuring online safety for kids, and age-appropriate digital limits. We discuss if there is such thing as healthy screen time, and what is the reccommended screen time by age. It's the podcast for moms and the podcast for dads who care about keeping kids balanced and brilliant! Episodes discuss what is risky play, imaginative play, loose parts play, and how to get your child to play independently without your needing to hover! We discuss the benefits of outdoor play, and how more play time in nature boosts confidence, resilence, and happiness. We are all just trying to raise balanced, thriving kids in the digital age! Figuring out kids and technology can be hard, especially in this new world of artificial intelligence, AI, and cybersecurity. But you're not alone.....Screen Less Play More will guide you through! Visit ScreenLessPlayMore.com more more helpful tips on raising balanced, thriving kids in the digital age! More great podcast episodes at screenless playmore.