ScreenStrong Families

Melanie Hempe, BSN

After her oldest son, Adam, dropped out of college due to his video game addiction, Melanie Hempe, BSN, put her nursing degree and training from Emory University to good use and founded ScreenStrong. It’s her mission to create educational programs for kids and parents so no one will experience the pain of screen addiction. Her ability to simplify medical science and provide practical solutions for families has allowed her to share her passion and bold screen solutions nationally. ScreenStrong has won the hearts of many families who are preventing and reversing childhood screen conflicts and addiction. Host of the popular weekly ScreenStrong Families Podcast, Melanie has been featured in Psychology Today, Thrive-Global, The Wall Street Journal, A&E Network, CBS, CNN, NPR, the documentary Screened Out, and various news and television outlets. Her ScreenStrong Kids’ Brains and Screens Courses are available for parents and students. Her four books include, “Kids’ Brains & Screens: A ScreenStrong Student Course,” “Will Your Gamer Survive College?” “Can Your Teen Survive—and Thrive—Without a Smartphone?” and “The ScreenStrong Solution: How to Free Your Child from Addictive Screen Habits.”

  1. hace 2 días

    Psychiatrist Answers: Should Schools Be Using Less Technology? with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#266)

    How much technology should kids really be using at school? In this episode of the ScreenStrong Families Podcast, Melanie Hempe and Dr. Stacey explore the growing use of screens, Chromebooks, tablets, educational apps, and AI in schools—and ask the question every parent should be asking: Is technology actually helping our children learn? You’ll learn why the issue isn’t simply “technology is good or bad,” but what technology is replacing. Are screens replacing books, handwriting, play, movement, teacher interaction, conversation, or creative problem-solving? Melanie and Dr. Stacey discuss: Healthy screen time and technology use at schoolWhy teacher interaction and relationships matterTechnology use and young childrenWhat kids need to learn before AI does the work for themHow parents can ask schools better questions about classroom technologyPractical ways to create a more human-centered learning environmentTechnology is a tool—not the foundation. The child is the foundation. If you're concerned about kids and screens, technology in schools, digital learning, or AI in education, this episode will give you practical insights and questions you can take to your child's school. Support the show Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team: Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    Psychiatrist Answers: Should Schools Be Using Less Technology? with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#266)
  2. 21 ago

    ENCORE: How School Screens Impact Social Emotional Learning with Dr. Richard Freed (#92)

    Originally aired: March, 2022 Melanie welcomes back Dr. Richard Freed, author of Wired Child and a practicing Clinical Psychologist and supervisor studying the effects of technology on children. He is on the advisory board of ScreenStrong and is a contributor to many well-respected publications. A link to Dr. Freed’s article, The Tech Industry’s War on Kids, is included in the show notes.  Melanie asks Richard to provide our listeners his perspective on frequently asked questions from parents related to screens in the classroom, how to modify and/or request help with reducing screen use for homework, how to request a support letter for an in-school accommodation for your child, and one of the most difficult questions to answer, what to say to your child that is struggling with addictive behaviors.  Their discussion addresses how technology has changed the school experience and learning opportunities for our children, which have significantly impacted children's development of Social Emotional Learning (SEL), which encompasses the growth of personal identity, communication, empathy, and healthy connections with parents, teachers, and coaches within the overall community setting. Lastly, Melanie and Richard provide an overview of tips pulled from their conversation today with an emphasis on strong parenting, reducing screens in schools, and re-establishing the strong guidance and love our kids need from us from elementary through high school and beyond.  REFERENCES: The Tech Industry’s War on Kids by Dr. Richard Freed Support the show Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team: Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    ENCORE: How School Screens Impact Social Emotional Learning with Dr. Richard Freed (#92)
  3. 12 ago

    ENCORE: How Teachers and Parents Can Support Phone-Free Schools with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#214)

    In this episode, Melanie and Dr. Stacey explore how teachers and parents can collaborate to create a phone-free school environment. Teachers can support the policy by using research-backed education, setting an example with their own phone use, and staying alert to signs of phone overuse, like distracted behavior and declining grades. Parents play a crucial role by supporting the school’s efforts, limiting contact with kids during school hours, and encouraging phone-free days. For parents wanting to go further, we’ll also discuss becoming a Phone-Free Champion in your school, organizing fun, tech-free activities that encourage socializing and new hobbies. Tune in to learn how phone-free schools can help students stay focused, build friendships, and feel more connected. Download our Phone-Free School Resource Guide. Support the show Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team: Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    ENCORE: How Teachers and Parents Can Support Phone-Free Schools with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#214)
  4. 24 jun

    10 Things Your 14-Year-Old Boy Can Do This Summer with Evan Hempe (#265)

    Fourteen-year-old boys face a tricky gap every June—too old for camp, too young for a job, and just bored enough to default to hours of gaming. Evan Hempe knows the feeling firsthand: he grew up without video games or a smartphone, and in this episode he shares the real list of what filled his summers instead. Funny, candid, and packed with stories from his own backyard, Evan makes the case that a great summer isn't about avoiding screens, it's about going toward something better. In this episode, Evan covers: Why a skill you can never "finish" (music, woodworking, cooking) beats a game that never endsHow starting a small business at 14 builds confidence adults can't teachThe difference between consuming and creating and why people respect bothWhy his most vivid memories are from creeks, ballfields, and rained-out camping trips, not screensWhether you're a parent looking for ideas or a teen wondering what to do with three open months, this episode is the blueprint for a summer worth remembering. Support the show Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team: Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    10 Things Your 14-Year-Old Boy Can Do This Summer with Evan Hempe (#265)
  5. 15 jun

    Why Screens Are Changing the Classroom: What Parents Need to Know About Kids, Schools & Attention (Part 2) (#264)

    In Part 2 of Melanie Hempe’s conversation with educator and Screen Schooled co-author Joe Clement, they continue unpacking the hidden impact of screens on today’s children and classrooms. Building on their previous discussion, Joe shares more insights from his 30+ years as an educator, explaining how constant screen exposure is changing the way kids think, learn, socialize, and engage with the world around them. Together, Melanie and Joe explore why many students struggle with focus, emotional resilience, and meaningful connection—and what parents and educators can do to help. They also discuss the growing momentum behind phone-free schools, the unintended consequences of educational technology, and why understanding the neuroscience of screens is one of the most powerful tools parents can give their children. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why screen-related challenges continue long after the school day ends • How digital distractions impact memory, focus, and academic performance • The connection between excessive screen use and emotional well-being • Why face-to-face interaction is essential for healthy child development • What teachers are seeing firsthand in today’s classrooms • How phone-free environments are helping students reconnect and thrive • Why educating kids about their brains can lead to healthier screen habits • Practical ways parents can lead their families toward lasting change If you’re looking for practical insight, encouragement, and a deeper understanding of how screens are shaping childhood, Part 2 offers valuable perspective—and hope—for families navigating the digital age. Support the show Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team: Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    Why Screens Are Changing the Classroom: What Parents Need to Know About Kids, Schools & Attention (Part 2) (#264)

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After her oldest son, Adam, dropped out of college due to his video game addiction, Melanie Hempe, BSN, put her nursing degree and training from Emory University to good use and founded ScreenStrong. It’s her mission to create educational programs for kids and parents so no one will experience the pain of screen addiction. Her ability to simplify medical science and provide practical solutions for families has allowed her to share her passion and bold screen solutions nationally. ScreenStrong has won the hearts of many families who are preventing and reversing childhood screen conflicts and addiction. Host of the popular weekly ScreenStrong Families Podcast, Melanie has been featured in Psychology Today, Thrive-Global, The Wall Street Journal, A&E Network, CBS, CNN, NPR, the documentary Screened Out, and various news and television outlets. Her ScreenStrong Kids’ Brains and Screens Courses are available for parents and students. Her four books include, “Kids’ Brains & Screens: A ScreenStrong Student Course,” “Will Your Gamer Survive College?” “Can Your Teen Survive—and Thrive—Without a Smartphone?” and “The ScreenStrong Solution: How to Free Your Child from Addictive Screen Habits.”

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