ScreenStrong Families Melanie Hempe, BSN

Join us for an insightful discussion led by teens who have experienced the benefits of a smartphone-free upbringing. In this episode, these inspiring young voices share their personal stories, highlighting the unique advantages of living without the constant buzz of notifications. From deeper connections with family and friends to improved focus and creativity, discover how a smartphone-free childhood has shaped their lives in positive ways. Our teen guests will also answer your burning ...

Today, we're diving into some of the most frequently asked questions from our amazing listeners. Our very own Amie Robillard, who manages all your emails and comments, joins Melanie to address your queries and provide insights straight from the field.We've been receiving a ton of questions, and we thought it was high time we dedicated an episode to answering them. So sit back, relax, and join us as we get to the heart of your questions. And remember, we’re planning to make this a regular feat...

As summer approaches and routines shift, it's a perfect time to revisit some common screen time mistakes that parents might overlook, especially for homeschooling families navigating year-round challenges. In this episode, we highlight five critical yet easily missed mistakes related to children's screen use and provide practical tips to avoid them.Mistake #1: Using Screen Time as a RewardMistake #2: Easy Access to ScreensMistake #3: Misunderstanding Content and Time SpentMistake #4: Relying ...

Join Dr. Stacey and Melanie as they discuss a new study that suggests mental disorders could potentially spread within adolescent peer groups. In this episode, they unravel findings from a study titled: Transmission of Mental Disorders in Adolescent Peer Networks, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Psychiatry, which sheds light on the concerning implications for teen mental health.The study, which involved over 700,000 participants, reveals a dose-response ass...

In today’s show, Melanie is speaking with Becky Grant, a ScreenStrong parent and teacher, about the topic of smartphones in the classroom. They discuss getting your teacher and school administrators on board with your decision not to give your child a smartphone during the school day. They share tips for speaking with educators and ideas for a sample letter to send to your school before summer! Please refer to a copy of the letter they are speaking about in our Be ScreenStrong Substack this w...

Today, Melanie is joined by Joe Clement, a teacher, parent of three, and co-author of Screen Schooled with Matt Miles. Joe is in his 28th year of teaching and brings a unique perspective as he has witnessed the change technology has brought into both the classroom and the home environment. Melanie and Joe discuss the mental health risk factors that are influenced by the toxic use of screens that result in loss of empathy, loss of awareness of facial/social cues, increased stress, and lac...