The Tech Translator with Parent ProTech

This podcast episode explores the rising trend of school smartphone bans and the phenomenon of "techxiety," focusing on how constant digital connectivity contributes to student stress, social friction, and diminished academic focus. The discussion highlights the psychological toll of being "always on" and considers the potential benefits of reclaiming distraction-free environments for more authentic face-to-face interaction. While also addressing the practical challenges and parental concerns involved in implementing such policies, the episode offers a nuanced look at the evolving relationship between technology, mental well-being, and engagement in educational settings.www.parentprotech.comFollows us:@parentprotech

Before you hit “Add to Cart” this holiday season, watch this first. 👀In this Parent ProTech Holiday Gift Guide, Joshua and Melvin break down the best safe tech (and non-tech!) gifts for families in 2025. They're covering kid-safe smartphones and smartwatches to tablets, gaming consoles, and creative offline ideas designed to bring families together.We’re not paid to say any of this. These are products we actually believe in.Check out our full downloadable gift guide here: https://ito-vault.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/ppt/The+ProTech+Holiday+Gift+Guide+2025.pdf🎄 We Cover:0:00 - Why We're Sharing This1:21 - Kid-Safe Smartphones: Bark Phone, Gabb Phone, Troomi Phone6:27 - Smartwatches for Kids: Bark Watch, Cosmo JrTrack 5, TickTalk 512:10 - Tablets: Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro, iPad, LeapFrog LeapPad Academy19:43 - Gaming Consoles: Nintendo Switch & Switch 2, Nex Playground24:20 - Nintendo Switch 1 Games: Gabby's Dollhouse, LEGO Party!, Pokémon Legends Z-A27:00 - Nintendo Switch 2 Games: Donkey Kong Bananza, Mario Kart World, Sonic X Shadow Generations29:33 - Cameras: Agoigo Kids, Sony ZV-1F, VTech KidiZoom Duo Camera FX34:02 - Non-Tech Family Games: Blank Slate, Gravitrax Starter Set, Happy Salmon36:45 - Non-Tech: Pickleball, PlasmaCar Lightning Glow Rider, SpikeballSubscribe to Parent ProTech for practical tools, conversations, and resources to help your family navigate the digital world with confidence.

We’re breaking down what parents need to know about cell phone bans, Sora’s new social app, and Snapchat’s latest safety guide. Tune in for practical insights on raising kids in a digital world and creating a healthier tech balance at home.Learn more:www.parentprotech.comFollow us: @parentprotech

What if raising tech-savvy kids didn’t have to be scary?In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tracy Elizabeth, a developmental psychologist and former TikTok family safety leader, Netflix ratings director, and Harvard researcher to unpack what it really takes to raise digital-ready kids in today’s world.In this episode of The Tech Translator Podcast by Parent ProTech, you’ll hear:- Why fear-based parenting around tech doesn’t work- How platforms decide what’s “PG-13”- The difference between active and passive screen time (and why it matters)- How to train your child’s algorithm- Why your child isn’t ready for a smartphone until you’ve had a few essential conversations- How to use a “yes - and” approach to teach healthy digital habitsIf you’re a parent, educator, or leader navigating kids’ screen time or social media, this episode will show you how to replace fear with confidence and raise digital-ready kids.Raise Digital-Ready Kids | ex-TikTok • Netflix • Harvard Expert

In this episode, Lori Alhadeff joins us to discuss how technology is literally saving lives and the necessary policies that secure our children's future.We dive into:* Alyssa's Law: The story behind the critical law mandating silent panic alarms in schools, and how technology drastically reduces emergency response time, proving that seconds equal life.* The School Board Perspective: Lori offers her unique view, as both a grieving parent and a school board member, on the difficult compromises required to protect students.* The Cell Phone Dilemma: We tackle the issue of school cell phone bans. Lori explains why removing devices during the school day is a necessary step for reducing distraction, mitigating digital bullying, and improving student mental health.* Encouragement & Advice: Practical guidance for parents, educators, and students navigating the new digital and physical safety landscape.Lori Alhadeff's mission is to ensure no family endures the tragedy her own did. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of tech, policy, and the fight for safer schools.Learn more about Make our Schools Safe at: www.makeourschoolssafe.orgLearn more about Parent ProTech at: www.parentprotech.com

Rania Mankarious, CEO of Crime Stoppers of Houston and author of "The Online World: What You Think You Know and What You Don’t," shares urgent lessons from decades of public safety work. Her message: kids today are growing up in a completely different world, and silence is not an option. From school threats to the dangers of AI chatbots posing as “friends,” Rania explains why students are the first line of defense and why parents can’t afford to play tech whack-a-mole. She offers a hopeful path forward: equip kids to speak up, set boundaries, and build trust that keeps them safe online and off. In this episode of The Tech Translator Podcast by Parent ProTech, you’ll hear: Why “Speak Up, Stay Safe” is more than a slogan How school threats (even as “jokes”) carry life-altering consequences The debate over phones in schools and what it means for safety and connection Why chasing every new app is a losing game, and what works instead If you’re a parent, educator, or leader worried about kids’ safety in today’s digital world, this conversation will give you clarity, courage, and next steps.

Therapist, author, and mom of four Tessa Stuckey (@themomtherapist), known for her book "For the Sake of Our Youth," opens up about what she’s seeing in today’s families and why “all online access equals risk.”From dopamine dumps and device-driven tantrums to porn exposure on the school bus, Tessa shares what’s actually happening in kids’ brains and the simple boundaries that help restore connection and confidence at home.In this episode of The Tech Translator Podcast by Parent ProTech, you’ll hear:Why “all online access = risk” and how to set guardrails.The dopamine problem: drips vs. dumps.How to handle tantrums, self-regulation, and screen meltdowns.Practical tools like family code words, narration, and screen-free zones.If you’re a parent, educator, or counselor trying to raise balanced, tech-wise kids, this one’s for you.Kids, Screens + Mental Health: A Therapist’s Urgent Advice

2024 College Slam Dunk Contest winner, former Grand Canyon University standout, and current Indiana Pacers G-League athlete Gabe McGlothan opens up about the real challenges of growing up in today’s digital world.From film study and recruiting to the distractions of social media, Gabe shares how technology shaped his journey and the boundaries he’s put in place to protect his focus, faith, and future.In this episode of The Tech Translator Podcast by Parent ProTech, you’ll hear:Why boredom may be the secret weapon for creativity and growth.How social media posts can affect scholarships, careers, and personal reputation.The power of building a strong foundation on and off the court.Practical advice for parents and athletes navigating recruiting, film, and digital distractions.Gabe also talks about his passion for giving back through youth clinics, foster care, and community projects.If you’re a parent, coach, or athlete trying to balance screens, sports, and life, you won’t want to miss this one.“It Takes More Than It Gives” | Pro Athlete Gabe McGlothan on Tech + Boundaries

From homework help to deepfake scams, AI is everywhere. And students are diving in faster than parents and educators can keep up. In this episode of The Tech Translator from  @parentprotech , Joshua sits down with Mark Henderson (dad of two teens and AI in Education Specialist at the Missouri School Boards' Association) to unpack:- Why banning AI in schools doesn’t work- The rise of AI cheating and how teachers are adapting- The dangers of deepfakes, sextortion, and AI “companions”- Practical tips for parents to start real conversations about AI at home- The AI tools Mark actually uses every day (and recommends)Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just trying to make sense of this new world, this conversation will give you the clarity and tools you need.92% of Students Use AI, But Only 35% of Parents Talk About It...

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Crystal Collier breaks down how tech is rewiring kids’ brains and what parents can do to help.You’ll learn:Why task initiation is disappearingWhy screens are replacing real-life motivationHow “techno tantrums” are warning signsWhat brain-based parenting actually looks likeHow to build executive function through everyday routinesDr. Collier is a psychotherapist, researcher, author of "The NeuroWhereAbouts Guide," and a leading expert in prevention science. Whether you’re trying to set tech boundaries or just feel overwhelmed by the digital world, this conversation will give you practical tools and real hope.Connect with us: @parentprotechWhy Your Kid Can’t Put the Screen Down (and What You Can Do About It)

AI is reshaping the world our kids are growing up in, and creativity is no exception. From AI-generated art to story tools that can mimic human imagination, the way children create, learn, and think is changing fast. In this insightful conversation, we sit down with Aaron Randall—graphic designer, illustrator, dad, and creative professional with nearly two decades of experience. We unpack how AI is transforming the creative landscape for both kids and adults. Aaron shares how he's integrated AI into his own design work, the tools he recommends for young artists, and what parents need to know about raising creative kids in an AI-powered world.Whether you’re a parent, educator, or just trying to keep up with the pace of change, this episode will leave you better prepared to guide your child through the future of creativity, learning, and technology.Visit us: www.parentprotech.com@parentprotech

Constable Ryan Gable leads one of the most advanced Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) units in the U.S. based in The Woodlands, Texas. In this powerful episode of The Tech Translator, he shares how predators are targeting kids through social media, gaming, even AI, and what law enforcement is doing to fight back.You’ll hear real stories of sting operations, how grooming tactics work, and why family engagement is key to prevention."It doesn’t matter who you are. If you’re preying on children, we will find you."- Constable Ryan Gable

Today’s teens are growing up in a world where sadness can go viral, anxiety can be live streamed, and depression looks nothing like it used to.In this eye-opening conversation, we sit down with Dr. Meredith Gansner, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital and instructor at Harvard Medical School to unpack how social media is rewriting the way teens experience, express, and even catch depression.Whether you’re a parent, educator, or someone who cares about teens, this conversation will leave you better equipped to understand what’s really going on behind the screen.You can purchase "Teen Depression Gone Viral" here: https://amzn.to/3Huakik

From deleting TikTok to tracking screen time on a whiteboard, these Harvard students opened up about how they really manage their devices. This one’s for students, parents, and anyone who’s ever wondered: “Am I on my phone too much?” Watch, learn, and pick one habit to try this week. Sign up for your 7-day Trial of Parent ProTech here:https://parentprotech.com/115/socialdemo102024/en/signup Connect with us: @parentprotech

You’ve heard all the noise about screen time, but what if we’ve been asking the wrong questions?In this episode of The Tech Translator with Parent ProTech, Joshua sits down with The Mediatrician, Dr. Michael Rich, a pediatrician, Harvard professor, and founder of the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Rich has spent decades helping families navigate the digital world with compassion and practical tools.You can purchase "The Mediatrician's Guide" here: https://amzn.to/4mN9sFs

Have you ever felt like the kids and teens in your life are speaking a totally different language when it comes to tech? You’re not alone. From new apps to shifting trends, it’s tough to keep up.That’s why we created the Tech Translator Podcast, a space for parents, educators, and community leaders to get clear, practical insights on how to keep the next generation safe and thriving in a digital world.In this first episode, Joshua Adams, Chief Creative Officer at Parent ProTech, shares the heart behind the podcast, the mission that drives us, and what you can expect going forward. As we travel the country working with schools, churches, and communities, we’re learning from real stories and real experts, and we want to share it all with you.Connect with us: @parentprotechWhy We Started the Tech Translator Podcast