Is Big Tech Putting Our Kids at Risk? | Norman Woods on Digital Safety, Free Speech, Protecting Kids

Are smartphones and social media shaping our children more than parents? And who should be responsible for protecting kids from the harmful effects of today's digital world? In this episode of Uncommon Sense in Current Times, Norman Woods, the executive director of South Dakota Family Voice, joins me to discuss a growing movement to hold Big Tech accountable for the impact it's having on children and families. We explore why so many parents feel outmatched by addictive technology, what lawmakers are doing to respond and how families can reclaim a healthier relationship with technology. Norman explains why childhood has shifted from a play-based experience to a screen-based one, how social media companies intentionally design platforms to maximize engagement and why legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and app store age verification have become major policy priorities. We also discuss the importance of protecting children without sacrificing free speech, the role of parents versus government and practical ways families can create healthier digital habits. Whether you're raising young children, leading in your community or simply concerned about the future of the next generation, this conversation offers thoughtful insight into one of the defining challenges facing families today. 📘 Get my latest book Bold Not Belligerent on Amazon: 👉 https://a.co/d/eGTPSYS 💭 A different way to reflect this week: Is technology helping my family grow closer together—or quietly pulling us apart? What habits could I change today to better steward the influence technology has in my home? 📌 In this episode, we discuss: ✅ Why today's children are growing up in a screen-based culture ✅ How Big Tech companies design platforms to capture attention ✅ The connection between excessive screen time and declining mental health ✅ Why age verification and parental consent are becoming legislative priorities ✅ What the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) would actually do ✅ How to balance protecting children while preserving free speech ✅ The responsibilities of parents, technology companies, and government ✅ Practical strategies for delaying smartphones and social media ✅ Building healthy family rhythms in a technology-driven culture ✅ Why protecting children is becoming one of America's most important public policy issues 📢 TAKE ACTION: 📱 Evaluate your family's current technology habits and identify one practical improvement you can make this week. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Create intentional screen-free times to strengthen relationships and meaningful conversation. 📚 Learn more about the policies being proposed to protect children online and engage thoughtfully in the discussion. 🤝 Encourage other parents in your church or community to work together toward healthier digital habits for their families. 🙏 Pray for wisdom as parents, educators, pastors, and policymakers seek to protect children while preserving the freedoms that strengthen our nation. 🔗 Connect with Norman Woods & South Dakota Family Voice: 🌐 South Dakota Family Voice: https://sdfamilyvoice.com ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthDakotaFamilyVoice 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthDakotaFamilyVoice 🔗 Follow Peter Demos: 🌐 Website: https://www.peterdemos.org 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterdemosofficial 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peterdemosofficial 𝕏 Twitter/X: https://x.com/peter_demos 🙌 Subscribe for conversations on faith, culture, leadership, family, public policy, religious liberty, and the issues shaping our communities through a biblical worldview. #NormanWoods #SouthDakotaFamilyVoice #PeterDemos #BigTech #DigitalSafety #Parenting #KOSA #KidsOnlineSafety #FaithAndCulture #FreeSpeech #Technology #ChristianWorldview #UncommonSensePodcast