Episode #216 Will Agency become the word for 2026? Raising Screen Smart People with Dr Mark Williams

What does it really mean to raise a screen-smart child in a world that is designed to capture their attention?In this important and timely conversation, I sit down with Dr Mark Williams to discuss his new book with Gavin McCormack, exploring the science, the reality, and the responsibility we all share when it comes to children and screens.Drawing from their new book Screen Smart Children, we go beyond fear and blame to unpack what is actually happening in the developing brain. We talk about attention, emotional regulation, sleep, learning, and how constant digital stimulation is shaping the way children think, feel, and connect.This is not about removing technology. It is about understanding it.Together, we explore: What screens are doing to the brain during critical periods of development  Why children struggle to switch off and what that means for behaviour  The link between screen use, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation  How schools and families can respond in a practical, balanced way  What “screen smart” actually looks like in real life Dr Mark Williams brings deep expertise in cognitive neuroscience, helping us understand attention and memory in a distracted world. He collaborated with Gavin McCormack, bringing decades of experience in education, working directly with children, teachers, and families across the globe.What emerges is a clear and hopeful message: we are not powerless. With the right knowledge and small, consistent changes, we can reshape children’s environments and support healthier brain development.This episode is for parents, educators, and anyone who cares about the next generation.Because this is not just about screens. It is about the kind of minds we are shaping for the future.📘 Resources & LinksThriving Minds Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/article/edit/7457652593234919424/Thriving Minds in the Age of AIhttps://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0999099779?ref=yb_qv_ov_prnt_dp_rwBook: Screen Smart Childrenhttps://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Screen-Smart-Children/Mark-A-Williams/9781761639715https://www.amazon.com.au/Screen-Smart-Children-helping-switches/dp/1761639714Dr Mark Williamshttps://www.drmarkwilliams.com/Gavin McCormackhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinmccormack/#ScreenSmartChildren #ThrivingMinds #Neuroscience #DigitalWellbeing #ChildDevelopmentSupport the showSubscribe and support the podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/newLearn more at www.profselenabartlett.com