PODCAST · kids
Pixel Parenting
by Patricia Cangas
Pixel Parenting is your monthly guide to raising tech-savvy, balanced kids. Hosted by Patricia Cangas Rumeu, a mum and a seasoned expert in digital literacy and educational technology, this podcast aims to empower parents to guide their kids’ tech use confidently and thoughtfully. From screen time to educational apps, join us to explore tools and insights that help kids—and parents—build healthy digital habits.Listen to our trailer and subscribe to stay updated!
Episodes
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Every Game Teaches Your Child Something | Dr. Erik Harpstead
Your child wants a new game, and the app store says it's educational. That label is checked for age, not for learning. In this episode I sit down with Dr. Erik Harpstead, Associate Research Professor at Carnegie Mellon's Human-Computer Interaction Institute, who studies the data behind kids'…
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Green Flags and Red Flags in Kids' Apps and Shows | Charlotte Anne Wright
Everything in the app store says "educational". A lot of it says "expert backed" and "research backed" too. None of those words are regulated, and none of them tell you whether the app in your hand does anything for your three-year-old. In this episode I sit down with Charlotte Anne Wright, a...
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How to Talk to Your Kids About Roblox (and Everything Else Online)| Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov
Your child asks to play Roblox, or some app that didn't exist when you were their age, and the first instinct is to Google the parental controls. In this episode I sit down with Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov, founder of DigitalParentingCoach.com and Roblox's first head of parental advocacy, to talk…
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Why Kids Bond With an AI Companion, and How to Approach It | Dr. Mathilde Cerioli
Have you ever wondered what happens when a child starts talking to an AI like it's a friend? In this episode I sit down with Dr. Mathilde Cerioli, a cognitive neuroscientist and Chief Scientific Officer at the nonprofit everyone.ai, to unpack what AI companions actually are, what they do to a...
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How Kids Actually Learn (and the AI Question) | Missy Widmann
What actually happens in your child's brain when they hand an assignment to AI — and is it really as harmless as it seems? Patricia Cangas sits down with Missy Widmann — doctor of education, co-founder of Neural Education, and visiting assistant professor at Pacific Lutheran University. A former...
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How to Reduce the Mental Load of Parenting: Email, Attention, and AI | Amy Briggs
How many hours a week are you mentally running through the family calendar, and what could you do with that time instead? Patricia Cangas sits down with Amy Briggs, founder and CEO of Aviva and a licensed speech-language pathologist, to dig into something every parent feels but rarely names: the...
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Is Your Child's AI Companion Safe? A Startup CEO Explains | Vivian Chong
Do you know how to tell if an AI tool has proper safeguards for kids? I welcome Vivian Chong, co-founder and CEO of apgard.ai, a youth AI safety startup working to make AI tools safer for children. Vivian and her team build evaluation and monitoring systems that detect harmful content in AI...
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Can Robots or AI Be Real Friends? Kids Ages 7–10 Weigh In
What would a machine be able to really be a friend? This episode is a kids' philosophy conversation with Dr. Iris Oved (Paradox Lab) about friendship, robots, and anthropomorphism, the way our brains read emotion and intention into things that don't have them. Kids ages 7-10 meet Siri, Pebble AI,...
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Cybersecurity for Parents: Start With One Conversation | Chad Rychlewski & Kae David
When was the last time you explained to grandparents why broadcasting your kids' photos to their friends is risky? Patricia Cangas talks with cybersecurity professionals Kae David and Chad Rychlewski, co-authors of Cyber Smart Parenting. Kae works with tech enterprises and has over 10 years in...
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Is It Fair? Navigating Screen Rules with Multiple Kids | Kaitlin Tiches
Which parental mediation strategy does research say works best—and why? Patricia Cangas sits down with Kaitlin Tiches, a research librarian at Boston Children's Hospital and the Digital Wellness Lab, who translates the latest media research into practical guidance for families. Kaitlin unpacks...
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It’s Not You vs. Your Teen — It’s All of Us vs. Addictive Tech | Dino Ambrosi
Could reframing one conversation turn your teen from defensive to collaborative about screen time? Host Patricia Cangas talks with Dino Ambrosi, founder of Project Reboot, who turned his college struggle with phone addiction into a program now reaching over 50,000 students. Dino walks through...
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What Video Games Teach: How Kids Learn Through Play | Dr. Kelli Dunlap
What do Minecraft, D&D, and Fortnite actually teach your child's developing brain? Dr. Kelli Dunlap, a licensed clinical psychologist with a master's in game design and executive director of Take This, joins us to explore video games as tools for learning and development. Dr. Dunlap explains why...
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Violent Video Games: The Science Behind the Headlines | Dr. Rachel Kowert
"Parents can be worried about all the other million things that we're worried about for our kids. But violent video games in and of themselves should not be at the top of that list." - Dr. Rachel Kowert Host Patricia Cangas sits down with Dr. Rachel Kowert, a psychologist and game researcher…
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Speech, Screens & Kids: What Parents Should Know | Denise Ford
Episode Summary Pediatric speech-language pathologist Denise Santos Ford, M.S., CCC-SLP joins Pixel Parenting to demystify what SLPs actually do (far beyond “fixing R’s”), how screen time intersects with social-emotional and language development, and practical, evidence-aligned ways parents can…
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Screens, Brains and 5 Healthy Screen Habits | Julianna Lorenzen
In this episode of Pixel Parenting, I talk with Julianna Lorenzen, co-founder of Healthy Screen Habits, about how screens shape kids’ brains, and what we can do about it. Julianna has a background in sports medicine and is also a mom of four. She shares how her medical expertise and parenting...
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Building Mental Health Skills Through Play | Dr. Celeste Sangiorgio
In this conversation, Dr. Celeste Sangiorgio discusses the intersection of video games and mental health, exploring how gaming can be utilized as a therapeutic tool. She shares insights on designing games that address mental health challenges, the importance of narrative in engaging players, and...
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Behind the Screen: Growing Up with Games | Allie Williams
In this conversation, Allie shares her journey through the world of gaming, discussing her educational background in game design and neuroscience, the impact of video games on her life, and how they have helped her manage ADHD. She emphasizes the importance of parental guidance in navigating…
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13 Ways Video Games May Affect Mental Health | Dr. Nick Ballou
In Part 2 of our special series with Dr. Nick Ballou, postdoctoral researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute, we dive into what research actually says about the effects of video games on mental health. Drawing from his newly published review paper, Dr. Ballou walks us through 13 potential ways...
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What Parents Should Know About Video Game Research | Dr. Nick Ballou
In this first part of a two-part series, I sit down with Dr. Nick Ballou, a postdoctoral researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute, to pull back the curtain on how video game research is actually done. You’ve seen the headlines—video games are either harming or helping our kids—but what’s the...
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Brain, Screens & Connection in Early Childhood | Rebecca Walsh
In this episode of Pixel Parenting, we dive into the critical early years of child development with Rebecca Walsh, founder of Early Childhood Matters. Rebecca shares how the first five years shape a child’s brain, why presence and connection are more powerful than we think, and how even small...
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Behind the Scenes: Trust, Safety & Legal in Tech Companies | Abby Vollmer
In this episode I’m excited to welcome Abby Vollmer—a legal and policy expert in the tech industry with a wealth of experience from GitHub, Strava, and now Cloudflare. In our conversation, Abby dives into her work at the intersection of technology, law, and child safety, exploring how tech…
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Student Voices: A Middle Schooler’s Artificial Intelligence Journey
In this episode we explore the evolving role of AI in education through the eyes of Valentin, a tech-savvy seventh grader. Valentin recounts his early encounters with AI - starting with tools like DALL-E and ChatGPT - and how he now uses these technologies to overcome challenges such as dyslexia...
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When and How Should I Introduce Video Games? - Part 2
In Part 2, I focus on practical strategies for introducing and managing video games at home. I explain how creating a simple gaming contract and using parental controls can help set clear, balanced schedules for play, homework, and other activities. I also highlight the benefits of...
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When and How Should I Introduce Video Games? - Part 1
In this episode of Pixel Parenting, I kick off a special two-part series on introducing video games to children. In Part One, I share when it’s the right time to start gaming—covering age guidelines and developmental milestones, from avoiding screens for infants to using simple, educational games...
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Why Boredom is Good for Your Toddler
In this episode of Pixel Parenting, I take you on a dive into the unexpected power of boredom for toddlers. I share how those seemingly idle moments can be transformed into golden opportunities for sparking creativity, building emotional resilience, and nurturing independence in our little ones....
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The AI Dialogs: Educational Apps
Are all “educational” apps created equal? In this episode, we dive into the world of apps designed for kids, exploring how to separate the genuinely educational from the flashy distractions. With over 80,000 apps labeled “educational,” how can parents make informed choices? Tune in as we discuss...
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The AI Dialogues: Understanding Gaming Disorder
Join Patricia and Sarah, an AI, on a discussion into the fascinating and complex world of gaming habits. This episode explores the science behind gaming disorder, the criteria used for diagnosis, and how to recognize the signs of excessive gaming. Through relatable anecdotes and insightful...
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A Little Fun: The Pixel Parenting Song
Here’s a fun little song made by AI to brighten your day. No deep parenting insights here—just some lighthearted, tech-inspired fun for your day! Using Brev.ai’s Royalty Free Music Generator.
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Trailer
Welcome to Pixel Parenting, your go-to podcast for science-backed insights and practical tips on navigating the complex digital world with your children. Created by Patricia Cangas Rumeu, a seasoned expert in digital literacy and educational technology, this podcast aims to empower parents to…
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The AI Dialogues: Game Genres
In this episode two of The AI Dialogues we dive into the fascinating world of video games through a unique conversation between two AI agents, John and Kate. Trained on insights from renowned experts and extensive research, these AIs explore gaming’s impact on our minds and motivations. They...
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The AI Dialogues: Why Play Video Games? A Theory
In the first episode of our series "The AI dialogs" I delve into the underlying reasons why video games are so engaging and compelling, especially for children and teenagers. Drawing from my experience as a digital marketer, former video game professional, and educational studies expert, I sit…
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Navigating the Digital Landscape: An Overview of Modern Parenting
Join host Patricia Cangas in a thought-provoking conversation with an AI trained on 28 research articles about digital parenting. Together, they unravel the complexities and nuances of raising children in an ever-evolving digital world. In this episode, Patricia and her AI co-host explore: The...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Pixel Parenting is your monthly guide to raising tech-savvy, balanced kids. Hosted by Patricia Cangas Rumeu, a mum and a seasoned expert in digital literacy and educational technology, this podcast aims to empower parents to guide their kids’ tech use confidently and thoughtfully. From screen time to educational apps, join us to explore tools and insights that help kids—and parents—build healthy digital habits.Listen to our trailer and subscribe to stay updated!
HOSTED BY
Patricia Cangas
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Pixel Parenting have?
Pixel Parenting currently has 32 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Pixel Parenting about?
Pixel Parenting is your monthly guide to raising tech-savvy, balanced kids. Hosted by Patricia Cangas Rumeu, a mum and a seasoned expert in digital literacy and educational technology, this podcast aims to empower parents to guide their kids’ tech use confidently and thoughtfully. From screen time...
How often does Pixel Parenting release new episodes?
Pixel Parenting has 32 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Pixel Parenting?
You can listen to Pixel Parenting on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Pixel Parenting?
Pixel Parenting is created and hosted by Patricia Cangas.
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