Did you know that humans have brains that are prone to addiction? So how do we protect our kids from addiction to excessive gaming and screen time? That's what we're going to discuss today with my special guest, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor.

Yes - our topic is literally brain science and how we can apply what we know about the brain to help kids navigate screen time, social media and the pressures online.

Dr. Jill is profoundly gifted at taking complex scientific information and boiling it down into ideas that stick and are helpful in understanding humans and the way our brains work. One of my all time favorite quotes is from her. "Be responsible for the energy you bring into a room."

This interview was so insightful with so many aha moments that it's split into two podcast episodes. This is the second one. Please listed to the first one (episode 10) before this one! You'll get background information on the four sides of the human brain and how a child's brain and a teen brain is actually different than an adult brain and why that matters, when it comes to parenting and working with kids.

Grab a pencil. You're gonna wanna take notes on this one!

Guest information

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard-trained and published neuroscientist. In 1996 she experienced a severe hemorrhage (AVM) in the left hemisphere of her brain causing her to lose the ability to walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life. Her memoir, My Stroke of Insight, documenting her experience with stroke and eight-year recovery, spent 63 weeks on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list and is still routinely the #1 book in the category Stroke in the Amazon marketplace.

Dr. Jill is a dynamic teacher and public speaker who loves educating all age groups, academic levels, as well as corporations and not-for-profit organizations about the beauty of our human brain. She focuses on how we can activate the power of our neuroplasticity to not only recover from neurological trauma, but how we can purposely choose to live a more flexible, resilient, and satisfying life.

In 2008 Dr. Jill gave the first TED talk that ever went viral on the Internet, which now has well over 27.5 million views. Also in 2008, Dr. Jill was chosen as one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” and was the premiere guest on Oprah Winfrey’s “Soul Series” webcast. Her new book, Whole Brain Living – the Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life is a #1 release on Amazon in categories ranging from Neuroscience to Nervous System Diseases and Stroke.

Unplug & Plug in

We always end with this question for guests - What are you plugging into? And what are you unplugging from?

Dr. Jill didn't disappoint! She's plugging into her needs and desires in all four areas of her brain. She's plugging into technology for interviews like ours, to satisfy her Character One, but she's also unplugging and making time to play, to keep her Character Three happy.

Takeaway

"Ask yourself - what resonates with your soul - and go do more of that!" (Dr. Jill) is how we ended this episode and what a fantastic way to end!

I'd love to hear your a-ha moments!

Our sponsor

Our sponsor today is the Center for Online Safety. Their mission is to keep kids safe online and they offer training for parents and schools to protect kids from cyberbullying, predators, pornography and other inappropriate content.

Next Steps

• Follow the Unplug & Plug In podcast for parents so you can get future episodes delivered to your device. It's free!
• Please leave a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating so our podcast will be seen by other parents.

Imagine having a way to peek inside your child's head and see what's going on inside their brain. Wouldn't that be fascinating?

Today our topic is literally brain science and how we can apply what we know about the brain to help kids navigate screen time, social media and the pressures online.

I'm thrilled to be chatting with Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a Harvard-trained brain anatomist and author, about the four sides of the human brain and how a child's brain and a teen brain is actually different than an adult brain and why that matters, when it comes to parenting and working with kids.

Dr. Jill is profoundly gifted at taking complex scientific information and boiling it down into ideas that stick and are helpful in understanding humans and the way our brains work. One of my all time favorite quotes is from her. "Be responsible for the energy you bring into a room."

This interview was so insightful with so many aha moments that it's split into two podcast episodes. This is the first one. In part 2, we'll talk about addiction and the human brain. How do we protect our kids from excessive gaming and screen time?

Grab a pencil. You're gonna wanna take notes on this one!

Guest information

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard-trained and published neuroscientist. In 1996 she experienced a severe hemorrhage (AVM) in the left hemisphere of her brain causing her to lose the ability to walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life. Her memoir, My Stroke of Insight, documenting her experience with stroke and eight-year recovery, spent 63 weeks on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list and is still routinely the #1 book in the category Stroke in the Amazon marketplace.

Dr. Jill is a dynamic teacher and public speaker who loves educating all age groups, academic levels, as well as corporations and not-for-profit organizations about the beauty of our human brain. She focuses on how we can activate the power of our neuroplasticity to not only recover from neurological trauma, but how we can purposely choose to live a more flexible, resilient, and satisfying life.

In 2008 Dr. Jill gave the first TED talk that ever went viral on the Internet, which now has well over 27.5 million views. Also in 2008, Dr. Jill was chosen as one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” and was the premiere guest on Oprah Winfrey’s “Soul Series” webcast. Her new book, Whole Brain Living – the Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life is a #1 release on Amazon in categories ranging from Neuroscience to Nervous System Diseases and Stroke.

Important Links and Resources

Takeaway

"Be responsible for the energy you bring into a room," is a quote Dr. Jill is well-known for, or as she said in her interview "Please be responsible for the circuitry you're running".

Wouldn't the world be a better place if we taught our kids this idea - that how they show up energetically determines their success in relationships?

Our sponsor

Our sponsor today is the Center for Online Safety. Their mission is to keep kids safe online and they offer training for parents and schools to protect kids from cyberbullying, predators, pornography and other inappropriate content.

Next Steps

• Follow the Unplug & Plug In podcast for parents so you can get future episodes delivered to your device. It's free!
• Please leave a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating so our podcast will be seen by other parents.

Show notes

Wouldn't it be fascinating to be able to talk to a teenager who could describe what it's really like to grow up with social media?

That's exactly what I get to do today - talk with a teen and ask lots of questions! This is one of my favorite episodes because my guest is insightful, funny, and has a lot to say to parents about what's really going on with teens and phones. Best of all, she's my daughter and we go deep into her digital world. This is a must listen to episode!

Our Topic

The teen perspective on Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok and what parents need to know

Here's some of what we cover:

• If Instagram was a person, what would it look like?
• How teens decide when to use Snapchat vs Instagram.
• Which social media platform does the most damage to teens? (I was surprised by this one!)
• What should parents be concerned about with social media

Our sponsor

Our sponsor today is the Center for Online Safety. Their mission is to keep kids safe online and they offer training for parents and schools to protect kids from cyberbullying, predators, pornography and other inappropriate content.

Take action today: The Five Circles of Safety

• Our articles on parenting for online safety are excellent. Start here with the actions parents should take to keep kids safe online - The Five Circles of Online Safety. The actions spell out FAMILY and don't let the five sections overwhelm you. Just start with one action today and your efforts will build over time.

Next Steps

• Follow the Unplug & Plug In podcast for parents to get future episodes delivered to your device. It's free!
• Please rate and review our podcast with five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to help other parents benefit from this topic.

Today our topic is your questions about protecting your kids on the internet! I'll be answering some of the most popular questions parents have about keeping kids safe online.

Topic: Common Questions about Parenting and Protecting Kids Online

Wouldn't it be interesting to learn what other parents are worried about, what they want to know about online safety and their kids?

Today, I've put together a list of questions that parents send in to me, or ask me at events all the time so that you can hear- you're not alone! Everyone has questions.

1. My child is obsessed with _____ (fill in the blank-some game or app). They're sneaking time, they're begging for five more minutes, we're arguing constantly, they're driving me crazy! What can I do?
2. I know I need an internet filter at my house but where do I find a strong filter that keeps out most of the garbage?
3. What about all the school technology - the Chromebooks that are coming home from school? The distractions that my child sees online? How do I help my child stay on track at school? How do I know the devices coming home from school are safe?

⭐Plus - a Bonus Question!⭐

Where do I start with online safety for my family?

(Full transcript available)

Takeaway

There is a lot competing for a parent's attention. What's important is to take tiny steps toward online safety, start early and ask lots of questions along the way.

Our sponsor

Our sponsor today is the Center for Online Safety. Their mission is to keep kids safe online and they offer training for parents and schools to protect kids from cyberbullying, predators, pornography and other inappropriate content.

Important Links and Resources

Internet filters

• Netgear routers like the Orbi and Nighthawk + a subscription to Netgear’s Smart Parental Controls Premium ($70 per year) offer strong parental controls, screen time limits, website history reports and content filtering.
• Bark Home (one time cost of $79) is a device that plugs into your existing router at home and adds parental controls. When you combine Bark Home with a Bark for Families monitoring subscription ($11 per month), you get a strong system for filtering and monitoring screen time, at home and on the go. ***BARK includes monitor + filter.**

Conversation starters and questions to ask your child's school

• Here are the topics to discuss with your child's school, so you understand what they are doing to protect their students.
• Need help talking with your school? Contact the Center for Online Safety.

Five Actions to take today: The Five Circles of Safety

• Here is an article on the five things parents can do today to protect their kids online. The actions spell out FAMILY and they're mentioned briefly in this episode.

Next Steps

• Follow the Unplug & Plug In podcast for parents to get future episodes delivered to your device. It's...

Wouldn't it be interesting to learn what a baby born today in our world sees and decides is important as they watch us adults grab our phones to work, play, connect and everything else!

My guest this week gives us a look through a baby and a child's eyes, and it is truly eye opening.

Hillary Wilkinson's Bio

Hillary is Director of Programs at Healthy Screen Habits and host of the the Healthy Screen Habits podcast.

She holds a Master's of Education and teaching credential from University of California at Santa Barbara. Before becoming a mom she enjoyed a career in primary education. Her background in motivational research and developmentally appropriate practice lead to many enjoyable years of working with the "under-tween" set.

Hillary passionately believes in the power of parent education. Her philosophy of approaching children with humor, empathy and love are pillars upon which she parents, instructs, and tries to cope with life!

She enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 kids with their variety of animals in beautiful Santa Rosa Valley, CA.

Topic: The unintended consequences of technology on babies and childrens' early years

Our sponsor

Our sponsor today is the Center for Online Safety. The Center for Online Safety shares the tools that make families stronger, safer and communicate better with each other. Their mission is to keep kids safer online and they offer training for parents and schools to protect kids from cyberbullying, predators, pornography and other inappropriate content.

Unplug and plug in segment

What are you plugging into this week? What are you choosing to unplug from? Our guest shares her thoughts.

Next Steps

• Follow the Unplug & Plug In podcast for parents so you can get future episodes delivered to your device. It's free!
• Please leave a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating so our podcast will be seen by other parents.
• Suggest future topics or share your story by calling our hotline! Leave me a voicemail at 415 737 5472 and I promise I’ll listen.

Today our topic is social media platforms and the movie that got us talking about harmful algorithms, "The Social Dilemma". Special guest Julia Hoppock joins me with her perspective as the Partnerships Director for The Social Dilemma impact campaign

More about Julia Hoppock

Julia is a filmmaker and campaign strategist with 15 years of storytelling experience in documentary film, journalism, and the non-profit sector. She has spent her career finding, pitching, writing, and producing stories that connect audiences to the issues that impact their lives. Prior to Exposure Labs, Julia worked at The Pew Charitable Trusts, where she ran film and advocacy campaigns to advance environmental conservation, public health, and other public policy issues.

Topic: Social media platforms and "The Social Dilemma"

We covered a lot of ground in this episode. Here are some highlights:

• What parents need to know about algorithms and how they work in social media accounts
• The business model for social media companies and why it's harmful to all of us
• What it feels like to grow up surrounded by social media - a Gen Z's perspective
• The Facebook Files and whistleblower Frances Haugen's contributions to this discussion
• The UK's Age-Appropriate Design Code and how we can leverage it in the US

Links to learn more about this topic

You can watch "The Social Dilemma" on Netflix.

To learn more about ways to take action and access resources from The Social Dilemma, go here.

To access the free 40 minute educator version of the film and resources including discussion guides, go here.

To learn more about the UK's Age-Appropriate Design Code, go here.

Here are links to learn more about 2021 Senate Hearings on the Facebook whistleblower, Facebook/Instagram Files and TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube.

Unplug and plug in segment

What are you plugging into this week? What are you choosing to unplug from? Our guest shares her thoughts.

Next Steps

• Watch "The Social Dilemma"!
• Talk to your tweens and teens about mental health and the harmful effects of social media. Need help? Here's our workshop.
• Follow the Unplug & Plug In podcast for parents to get future episodes delivered to your device. It's free!
• Please rate and review our podcast to help other parents benefit from this topic
• Suggest future topics or share your story by calling our hotline! Leave me a voicemail at 415 737 5472 and I promise I’ll listen.

Today our topic is gifts! Specifically gifts that don't need batteries or a screen to play, non-technology gifts that kids will enjoy, and they're all kid-approved. 

Topic: The Best Non-Tech Gifts for Kids on your List

You know what kids want? Our time and attention.

We're making gift giving easy this year, whether you're a parent, auntie, grandparent or friend. We're breaking non-tech gifts into categories and talking you through a few ideas, so you can get creative.

Get your FREE 100+ gift list here.

We've done the heavy lifting on thinking this through, compiling parent recommendations for gifting experiences and adventures, educational (and fun) gifts, gifts to inspire artistic adventures, gifts that inspire imaginative play...

Conversation starter

It's Thanksgiving this week in the U.S. and it's a time to pause and be grateful.

When you're gathered at the dinner table, this conversation starter is great for the whole family:

What’s the best gift you’ve given someone?

How about the best gift you’ve received?

How did it feel to give or receive such a great gift?

Unplug and plug in segment

What are you plugging into this week? What are you choosing to unplug from? Our host shares her thoughts.

Next Steps

• Follow the Unplug & Plug In podcast to get future episodes delivered to your device. It's free!
• Please rate and review our podcast to help other parents benefit from this topic
• Suggest future topics or share your story by calling our hotline! Leave me a voicemail at 415 737 5472 and I promise I’ll listen.
• Don't forget to pick up your free gift list here for the kids in your life

Today we're talking about teaching kids about consent. Online and off. I'm joined by guest expert Christy Keating who guides parents through the do's and don'ts of this tricky topic.

What's the big deal with consent?

Read this recent CNN article. Consent is really about teaching a child what healthy boundaries feel like and that they have a choice in matters relating to their bodies and their minds. Consent is necessary in healthy relationships.

Guest Expert Christy Keating's Bio

Christy Keating is the owner of The Heartful Parent Collective, which includes Savvy Parents Safe Kids and The Heartful Parent, and The Heartful Parent Academy.

As a licensed attorney, Christy spent nearly twenty years as felony prosecutor in the King County Prosecutor's Office in Seattle, where she spent the latter part of her career specializing in the prosecution of sexually violent predators. Immersed in the world of sexual assault and child sexual abuse, Christy developed a deep understanding and expertise in predatory tactics and abuse/assault prevention strategies. She now enjoys educating parents, caregivers, educators, and other professionals so as to help stop these problems before they happen, rather than addressing them after the fact.

In addition to being a licensed attorney, Christy is a Certified Parent Coach® through the Parent Coach Institute (credentialed through Seattle Pacific University), a Certified Positive Discipline Instructor, a Certified Gottman Educator, and has completed the Professionals Intensive through Hand in Hand Parenting. She is also a long-time leader and speaker at the Program for Early Parent Support in Seattle, and a public speaker and group facilitator with more than 20 years of experience. Christy is energized by helping parents find more love, joy, and connection in their families and with their children by helping them discover newfound energy in their parenting, develop an appreciation for what they have and who they are, and create sustainable ways to achieve their vision or dream for their family.

Christy lives in the greater Seattle area with her husband of almost 15 years, their two amazing daughters, and a small bevy of animals.

Her free gift will help you understand consent and teach it to your kids. You can access it here.

Next Steps

• Follow the Unplug & Plug In podcast for parents to get future episodes delivered to your device. It's free!
• Please rate and review our podcast to help other parents benefit from this topic
• Suggest future topics or share your story by calling our hotline! Leave me a voicemail at 415 737 5472 and I promise I’ll listen.

Today our topic is sharenting and we're talking about adults who overshare online about their kids and the damage it can cause.

We're joined by expert Leah Plunkett who has literally written the book on sharenting, and she'll explain how our current over-sharenting crisis is undermining our kids—and how we can make choices that restore their privacy & freedom to play & grow.

Guest Expert Leah Plunkett's Bio

Leah Plunkett is an author, lawyer, and mom of two young kids. Leah's book from MIT Press—SHARENTHOOD: Why We Should Think Before We Talk About Our Kids Online—joined works by Margaret Atwood and Stephen King on Wired's list of "must-read" books for fall 2019 and was named a "best self-help book for men" in 2019 by Fatherly. The New Yorker praised SHARENTHOOD for offering "gripping moments" where Leah envisions "scenarios that seem both far-fetched and, when you think more deeply about the direction of technological innovation, a bit inevitable" for how our tech choices impact our kids, now and in the future.

Leah, an honors graduate of Harvard College & Harvard Law School, brings her cutting-edge legal expertise and her background as an improv comedian to her work. After Leah talked with actor Dax Shephard on his podcast, Armchair Expert, Dax said of Leah: she's a "fascinating woman and also very funny." We hope you agree!

Connect with Leah on LinkedIn.

Unplug and plug in segment

What are you plugging into this week? What are you choosing to unplug from? Our guest shares her thoughts.

Next Steps

• Follow the Unplug & Plug In podcast for parents to get future episodes delivered to your device. It's free!
• Please rate and review our podcast to help other parents benefit from this topic
• Suggest future topics or share your story by calling our hotline! Leave me a voicemail at 415 737 5472 and I promise I’ll listen.

Episode summary

After the explosive revelations about Facebook/Instagram's harmful algorithms, it's time to talk about teen safety--mentally and physically--online. 

This episode covers what parents can do with the information surfacing from Facebook's whistleblower and internal reports that show teens are harmed by Instagram.

Conversation starter: talking with teens on how to set up Instagram to be a healthier experience

Unplug & Plug In: What are you plugging into this week? What are you choosing to unplug from? Our host shares her thoughts.

Important links

• World Mental Health Day (World Health Organization)
• Petition to end "Instagram for Kids" platform by Facebook
• Article with the Facebook news from the last few weeks
• Fairplay summary of the Facebook Files related to teen health and Instagram
• Article on Resetting Instagram for a healthier experience
• Watch the movie (free in October) The Social Dilemma
• Sign up for the masterclass for parentsTeen Health and Social Media (replay available). Learn more here.

Next Steps

• Follow the Unplug & Plug In podcast for parents to get future episodes delivered to your device. It's free!
• Please rate and review our podcast to help other parents benefit from this topic
• Suggest future topics or share your story by calling our hotline! Leave me a voicemail at 415 737 5472 and I promise I’ll listen.