PODCAST · education
Screen Guardians Podcast
by Katie Longhauser
Screen Guardians Podcast is your go-to resource for understanding digital wellness for kids and teens. We aim to help families take the guesswork out of screen time, apps, games, and everything in between.It's not just about control—it's about empowerment!Because raising kids in the digital age doesn't come with a manual, but it should come with guidance you trust.Our episodes are designed to:• Educate parents about the latest trends in children's digital engagement.• Provide scientifically-backed insights on the impact of screen time.• Offer practical strategies for building healthy digital habits.• Address concerns with social media, gaming, online safety, and beyond.No matter your child's age or stage, we're here to help you feel confident and informed about their digital world.
Episodes
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It's an Unfair Fight: Parents, Kids & Big Tech | Your Attention Please Documentary
Your Attention Please is a new documentary about social media, AI, and the attention economy, now available on Apple TV and other digital platforms. In this episode, director Sara Robin, parent advocate Kristin Bride, and ReThink inventor Trisha Prabhu join Katie Longhauser to talk about social...
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"The Cost of Free: From Digital Safety to Platform Incentives" Featuring Family I.T. Guy
The Cost of Free: From Digital Safety to Platform Incentives Most parents think the problem is screen time or willpower. But what if the real issue is something else entirely? In this episode, Katie talks with Ben Gillenwater (Family IT Guy, former NSA cybersecurity expert) about why…
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Who’s Watching the Tech in Our Schools? | From Concerned Parents to Advocates
Your child's school hands them an internet-connected device for seven hours a day. Do you know what's on it, who chose the software, or what it's collecting? Allie Terry and Liz Jenkins didn't either. They were two moms living across the street from each other in Utah, asking questions about…
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They Came In Skeptical: The Moms of Syracuse on Screens, Shame & What Changed
When The Screen Guardians first walked into Syracuse, Kansas, not everyone clapped. Some parents wondered if this was one more program built to make them feel guilty about screens. One mom assumed we were there to collect data on her kids. Today, those same parents are among the strongest voices...
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Kids and Screen Time — What a Fifth Grader Wants Parents to Know
A 10-year-old researched screen time for her school project, changed her own habits, and has a hopeful message for parents: it's not too late. What happens when a kid becomes the screen time expert in her own house? In this episode of The Screen Guardians Podcast, host Katie sits down with Ali, a...
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No One Fights Alone: Beating Teen Loneliness with Fight Club (with Ryan Bevins & JP Claxton)
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness and isolation a national epidemic — and teenagers are at the center of it. They're the most digitally connected generation in history, and one of the loneliest. In this episode, host Katie sits down with Ryan Bevins and JP Claxton, the founder...
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An Intentional Summer — Beating Screen Time Creep with Janelle Campbell
Practical, no-fear ways to plan a low-screen, high-connection summer. Summer screen time has a way of creeping up the moment the school-day structure disappears. In Episode 34 of the Screen Guardians Podcast, Katie sits down with mom of three and former labor-and-delivery nurse Janelle Campbell…
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Inside a District That Went All In on Digital Wellness (Live at the Kansas State Board of Education)
A rural Kansas district shares what changed in classrooms and homes after going K–12 with The Screen Guardians. What happens when an entire school district stops talking about screen time and actually does something about it? In this episode, we hand the mic to the people who went first. Recorded...
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Edtech in Schools: The Honest Truth Parents Deserve
If you've watched your kid trudge out of school carrying a Chromebook and felt a quiet knot in your stomach — you're not imagining it. Edtech in schools rolled out faster than the brain science behind it, and now the data is catching up. In this episode, Katie Longhauser walks through how we got...
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Who's Teaching the Teachers? Screens, Phone Bans & Keeping Kids Safe — with Dr. Elizabeth Walter
We talk a lot about what screens are doing to kids in the classroom. But here's a question we don't ask enough: who is teaching the teachers? In this episode, host Katie sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Walter — an assistant professor at Rockhurst University who prepares the next generation of...
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How to Protect Kids Online: Are We Showing Up Too Late? (Prevention vs. Response)
Why prevention has to come before the message ever hits your kid's phone. What if prevention became the first layer of protection — not the second? In this solo episode of The Screen Guardians Podcast, founder Katie Longhauser walks through why we're so good at responding to harm but not as...
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Raising Healthy Kids in a Digital Age: 3 Proven Strategies with Dr. Shreya Hessler
You already know the screens are an issue. You feel it in the eye rolls. You feel it in the bedtime battles. You feel it in your own thumb as you scroll one more time before sleep. Raising healthy kids in a digital age isn't about removing devices — it's about raising kids who actually know how…
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Intentional Parenting in a Digital World: 5 Proven Strategies That Build Connection with Kori Bloom
If you've ever found yourself yelling "put the phone down!" while simultaneously scrolling your own device, you're not alone. Intentional parenting in a digital world is one of the biggest challenges families face today — and most of us are figuring it out as we go. On a recent episode of The...
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Social Media Effects on Teen Mental Health — What a Family Therapist Wants Every Parent to Know
If you've ever handed your toddler a tablet just to get through dinner — or noticed your teenager retreating to their room for hours on end, scrolling and silent — you're not alone. Most of us feel it. Something is off. But connecting the dots between our kids' screens and their emotional…
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Why Digital Health Starts at Home (And How Our New Parent Portal Can Help)
Parenting kids in the digital age is incredibly hard. We are the first generation to raise children in the most digitally saturated environment in human history. With teens averaging more than seven hours of recreational screen use per day, many parents worry about sleep disruption, anxiety, and...
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Digital Detox for Emotional Resilience: Lessons from a University Course with Dr. Shreya Hessler
In an era where our lives are intertwined with screens, the concept of a digital detox has emerged as both a necessity and a revelation. Have you ever wondered how stepping away from your devices might reshape your emotional landscape? This is the journey that students at Loyola University…
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A superintendent's honest take: Why screen education matters more than ever
An in-depth conversation with a veteran superintendent on why digital safety isn't optional—and how a rural Kansas district is leading by example. When I first sat down with Paul Larkin, superintendent of Syracuse USD 494 in Western Kansas, I wasn't expecting a conversation that would stay with…
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Supporting anxious kids in a digital world: why education—not restriction—is the real answer
In a world where likes and comments feel like lifelines, where digital conversations unfold faster than emotions can catch up, our kids are navigating a reality we never had to. If you've ever wondered why your child seems more anxious than you were at their age—or why they retreat behind a…
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A New Page for Our Kids: What Bell-to-Bell Phone-Free Schools Might Offer Them—And Us
I want to start with a story. Not one from my childhood—but from today. Last week, I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with a group of parents, educators, and advocates at the Kansas State Capitol. It wasn't a polished, pretty press moment. It was real and gritty—honest words in wood-paneled hearing...
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Listening between the lines: A conversation about digital safety, from the inside out with Dr. Currie Myers
In one of the most grounded and deeply human conversations we've had the honor to be part of, Kevin and I sat down with Dr. Currie Myers—America's Criminologist—for an episode that reached well beyond crime statistics and research papers. It reached into the heart of why we do this work. Because...
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Kansas middle school limits Chromebooks to reduce screen time and improve student focus
In recent years, the conversation around reducing screen time in schools has moved from quiet concern to active policy change. Educators, parents, and mental health professionals are paying closer attention to how constant tech use impacts student focus, emotional regulation, and classroom...
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What Screens Can't Teach: A Conversation About the Growing Cost of Digital Learning with Susan Dunaway
This episode explores the powerful connection between digital learning and brain development, featuring insights from neurotherapist Susan Dunaway. From screen-based reading to educational apps in early childhood, we examine how technology in schools may be reshaping cognitive growth, memory, and...
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When School Devices Aren't as Safe as we Think: Guest Andy Liddell
When a kindergartener walks into their classroom, the space is built for them. The chairs are small. The crayons are thick. The books are softbound and full of pictures. Slowly, over the years, their world expands—more words, more tools, more responsibility as their brains and bodies are ready…
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Running Toward the Hard Conversations: A Story of Heartbreak, Hope, and Digital Safety - Conversation with Ben Tracy
I've always believed in the power of a story—especially when it comes from someone who's lived every moment of it. That's why I invited Ben Tracy onto the Screen Guardians platform. Ben isn't just a digital safety advocate. He's a man who ran across the United States—3,100 miles, 125 days, 120...
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When Trust is Tested: What Parents Are Learning About School-issued Devices
This heartfelt episode explores how school-issued devices can quietly expose children to harmful content—and what parents can do to stay informed and involved. Sometimes parenting in a digital world feels less like walking a line—and more like walking a tightrope. No net. No guarantees. Just hope...
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The Dark Corners Of The Internet: What Every Parent Needs To Know About Emerging Online Threats To Kids
There are conversations I wish we didn't have to have. But here we are—because ignoring hard truths doesn't protect our children. And pretending the digital world isn't changing at an alarming pace only leaves families more vulnerable. That's why we created the Screen Guardians podcast. It's not...
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How One Conversation Shifts Digital Parenting Strategies
There are some conversations that feel too big to begin. Talking about the digital world and our kids—what they're exposed to, what they're carrying, how their brains and hearts are shaped by screens—that's one of those conversations. It's big. It's overwhelming. And for parents and educators...
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Why this mom is suing IXL: A quiet fight to protect student data privacy in schools
There are moments in parenting when something small nudges at your attention—and then, without warning, that "small" thing becomes a defining shift. That's what happened to Gretchen Shanahan in 2018. She remembers it clearly—the way the questions started stacking up in her mind. Why are my...
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When Schools Fail to Protect—Why This Kansas School Dance Incident Is a Wake-Up Call for Parents
What happens when protecting children takes a back seat to bureaucracy, miscommunication, or worse—inaction? In one of the most emotionally charged and urgent episodes of the Screen Guardians Podcast, host Katie Longhauser and co-host Detective Kevin Cronister dive deep into a real-life case that...
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What Happens When Teens Quit Social Media? Giuliana's Story Says It All
We've all heard the warnings about screen time and social media overuse, but what actually happens when students step away from it completely? At Screen Guardians, we recently sat down with Giuliana, a recent graduate from Faustina Academy, for a raw and insightful conversation about growing up...
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How One School Transformed Its Culture by Saying "No" to Social Media
In this powerful episode of the Screen Guardians Podcast, host Katie Longhauser sits down with Principal Christina Mehaffey of Faustina Academy—a leader courageous enough to ask the hard questions about tech, culture, and the emotional well-being of kids. What followed was a school-wide...
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Teen Mental Health & Digital Safety: A Grieving Mother's Call to Flip the Culture
In today's always-connected world, navigating teen mental health and digital safety has never been more urgent—or more complex. As smartphones replace face-to-face conversations and social media becomes a primary social arena, our children are being shaped by experiences that we, as parents…
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A Detective's Calling: Protecting Children, On and Offline
In our latest heartfelt episode of Screen Guardians Podcast, we stepped away from headlines and stats to center on something more personal — the story behind one of the voices in this mission to protect children. Meet Kevin Cronister: a SWAT-trained detective, a forensic psychology expert, a...
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When Schools Fail: A Predator at the Dance
A convicted sex offender attended an elementary school dance—unannounced to parents. Find out what happened and how to protect your child from this failure. In this hard-hitting episode of Screen Guardians Podcast, Katie and Kevin uncover a deeply disturbing incident that took place at an...
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A Wake-Up Call for Digital Parents: Jenny Taylor's Powerful Story on Navigating Tween Cyberbullying, Friendship, and Digital Boundaries
Parenting in the digital age is complicated—messy, emotionally intense, often uncertain, and more than ever, essential. In an eye-opening episode of the Screen Guardians podcast, host Katie speaks with her long-time friend, businesswoman, and devoted mother Jenny Taylor, who shares a deeply...
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Understanding Anxiety in Kids in the Digital Age: A Conversation with School Counselor Kat Kaplan
In a world that's increasingly dominated by screens, social media, and digital distractions, our children are growing up facing challenges that didn't exist just a generation ago. At the Kids Digital Health Hub, we're committed to helping families understand these challenges — and most…
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Exposed: The Hidden Link Between Pornography and Sex Trafficking
Pornography and sex trafficking have a deeper link than many parents realize. With children encountering pornography as early as 10 years old, their vulnerability to online grooming and exploitation increases. This episode will uncover why parents need to be vigilant about internet safety for…
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How to Shield Your Kids From Sextortion Risks Online
In a world where our children live increasingly online, predators are finding terrifyingly sophisticated ways to exploit them. One of the most alarming threats today is sextortion—a growing cybercrime that preys on young people's trust and vulnerability, often with devastating consequences.…
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Protecting and Preserving Childhood: A Mission Born from Experience
The digital age has presented us with incredible opportunities to connect, learn, and grow — but it hasn't come without its challenges, especially for parents striving to raise children in a world dominated by technology. As the host of our podcast, Screen Guardians, Katie Longhauser shares a...
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Protecting Childhood in a Digital World: Conversations That Matter
In our latest podcast episode, Katie Longhauser—mom and advocate for digital health—sat down with Kevin Crosser, an experienced detective working on the frontlines of internet crimes against children. Together, they explored the unsettling realities of online threats, but more importantly, shared...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Screen Guardians Podcast is your go-to resource for understanding digital wellness for kids and teens. We aim to help families take the guesswork out of screen time, apps, games, and everything in between.It's not just about control—it's about empowerment!Because raising kids in the digital age doesn't come with a manual, but it should come with guidance you trust.Our episodes are designed to:• Educate parents about the latest trends in children's digital engagement.• Provide scientifically-backed insights on the impact of screen time.• Offer practical strategies for building healthy digital habits.• Address concerns with social media, gaming, online safety, and beyond.No matter your child's age or stage, we're here to help you feel confident and informed about their digital world.
HOSTED BY
Katie Longhauser
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Screen Guardians Podcast have?
Screen Guardians Podcast currently has 40 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Screen Guardians Podcast about?
Screen Guardians Podcast is your go-to resource for understanding digital wellness for kids and teens. We aim to help families take the guesswork out of screen time, apps, games, and everything in between.It's not just about control—it's about empowerment!Because raising kids in the digital age...
How often does Screen Guardians Podcast release new episodes?
Screen Guardians Podcast has 40 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Screen Guardians Podcast?
You can listen to Screen Guardians Podcast 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 Screen Guardians Podcast?
Screen Guardians Podcast is created and hosted by Katie Longhauser.
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