Episode 87: Technology and ECE (with Emily Cherkin)

In her January 2026 Congressional testimony, Emily Cherkin put it simply: "Parents are not naive — we know our children will use technology for work and life in adulthood. We just want to ensure they have a childhood first." That testimony — covering the impact of screens, AI, and EdTech on kids — echoed so much of what I hear from parents and teachers alike: real questions about technology's place in the classroom and its effect on development. So I invited Emily to dig deeper. Known as the Screentime Consultant, Emily has spent over a decade at the intersection of technology and child development. She's an author, speaker, and consultant, an associate professor of public policy at the University of Washington, and has testified before both the U.S. Senate and U.K. Parliament. She's also the lead plaintiff in a landmark lawsuit against EdTech companies over children's privacy — making her one of the most courageous, outspoken voices holding the industry accountable. Her book, Screentime Solution, lays out her practical, no-nonsense approach. In this episode, Emily shares the questions every parent and educator should ask before introducing a new technology, why "tech-intentional" beats both anti-tech and tech-everywhere, and one of my favorite truisms: "The best preparation for a digital future is an analog childhood." If you're trying to push back against the creeping screen-centered focus in early childhood spaces, this conversation is for you. 📝 Full show notes, links, and resources: notjustcute.com/podcast/episode87