Brave Parenting

Brave Parenting
  • 5.0 (37)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

We are a network of brave parents who empower & equip others to intentionally develop & train children to have strong character & integrity. We believe brave parenting is doing the right thing even when it is hard. While it seems our children would rather be raised by the internet, the truth is they need strong and courageous parents who will invest in their character.

  1. 1H AGO

    Ep. 220: Is Creative Self-Expression a Benefit of Smartphones for Kids

    How did kids creatively express themselves before digital screens and the internet? Do smartphone kids “build” and “express” themselves in ways that are beneficial – or biblical? In this episode, Kelly continues her series countering the beneficial claims Dr. Peter Gray cites in his Substack, Play Makes Us Human. This week, the claim is that the smartphone is a beneficial tool for creative self-expression. Kelly argues that biblical creativity is meant for God’s glory and the edification of others, rather than the self-promotion and audience-driven validation that occurs when sharing one’s creativity online. Articles referenced: Helping Kids (and Ourselves) Use Smartphones Safely Is Online Self-Expression a Necessary Part of Childhood? (Ep #212) Scripture referenced: Genesis 1:27 Exodus 31 Psalm 127:1 Luke 6 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Romans 14:19 Ephesians 4:29 1 Corinthians 8:1 Luke 6:45 Proverbs 4:23 Jeremiah 17:9 Proverbs 29:11 James 1:19 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 Galatians 2:20 Colossians 3:1–3 Proverbs 31:30 1 Peter 3:3–4 1 John 2:16 Proverbs 26:18–19 James 3:9–10 Ephesians 5:4 Galatians 1:10 Proverbs 29:25 Philippians 4:8 1 Thessalonians 2:8 John 12:43 Philippians 2:3 Need a kids-safe phone? Pinwheel is our favorite! Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the NEWLY UPDATED book: Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated) Get Kelly’s new Study Guide & Workbook, with video teachings for small groups. Check out our brand new Brave Parenting Merch Sign up for the Brave Bullet Points newsletter! This helps us communicate what’s happening without social media – a win for everyone!

    42 min

  2. APR 26

    Relieved to be Caught – The Story of a Teen Hacker

    What does it say about the online world when a 20-year-old cybercriminal feels relieved to be caught? This Brave Briefing looks at Matthew Lane’s repentance, the consequences he is now willing to bear, and the sobering reality that tech savvy and tech intelligence are not the same as tech wisdom or spiritual maturity.  There is an important lesson and hope for parents in this story. Articles referenced: ‘Addicted to Hacking’: Young hacker behind historic breach speaks out for 1st time, before reporting to prison Scripture referenced: Hebrews 12:11 Proverbs 22:6 Matthew 5:29 James 5:20

    8 min

  3. APR 22

    Ep. 219: Is Education a “Benefit” of Smartphones for Kids?

    Is the smartphone the greatest educational tool ever created? In today’s episode, Kelly counters Dr. Peter Gray’s claim, arguing that smartphones provide information and convenience, which are not the same as education. Even if you don’t define education as structured, systematic instruction by adults, the smartphone still isn’t a tool that positively shapes a child’s character, work ethic, and spiritual wisdom. Books referenced: The Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids’ Learning and How to Help Them Thrive Again Product referenced: Leap Frog Magical Adventures Globe Articles referenced: Helping Kids (and Ourselves) Use Smartphones Safely Self-Directed Education: What Is It and How Does It Work? What does the Bible say about Education? Cambridge Dictionary: Education Scripture referenced: Proverbs 1:7 Proverbs 18:15 1 Corinthians 8:1 Acts 22:3 Acts: 17:28 Titus 1:12 1 Timothy 1:16 2 Timothy 3:7 Psalm 1:2 James 1:5 Jeremiah 17:9 Need a kids-safe phone? Pinwheel is our favorite! Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the NEWLY UPDATED book: Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated) Get Kelly’s new Study Guide & Workbook, with video teachings for small groups. Check out our brand new Brave Parenting Merch Sign up for the Brave Bullet Points newsletter! This helps us communicate what’s happening without social media – a win for everyone!

    35 min

  4. APR 15

    Ep. 218: Is Documentation a “Benefit” of Smartphones for Kids?

    A smartphone lets you document life with an ever-present camera and note-taking capabilities. Is this something beneficial for kids? Will it build character? Will it help them be present and more aware of their reality? On the other hand, what does growing up not having access to these smartphone features lead to? Will they be worse off? Have less documented memories? In today’s episode, Kelly evaluates this claimed benefit of “documentation” from both Dr. Peter Gray’s perspective and historical and biblical perspectives. Articles referenced: Helping Kids (and Ourselves) Use Smartphones Safely Mobile Photography Stats for 2026 What Selfies are Doing to Self-Esteem Junk Journaling Camp Snap Camera Camp Snap Video Camera Scripture referenced: Deuteronomy 6:6-7 Matthew 6:1 Galatians 1:10 1 Peter 3:3-4 1 Corinthians 10:31 John 13:34 Galatians 5:13 Romans 12:10 Colossians 3:16 1 Corinthians 13:6 Proverbs 6:16-19 Need a kids-safe phone? Pinwheel is our favorite! Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the NEWLY UPDATED book: Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated) Get Kelly’s new Study Guide & Workbook, with video teachings for small groups. Check out our brand new Brave Parenting Merch Sign up for the Brave Bullet Points newsletter! This helps us communicate what’s happening without social media – a win for everyone!

    44 min

  5. APR 8

    Ep. 217: Is Navigation a “Benefit” of Smartphones for Kids?

    The smartphone is an undeniable benefit to adult drivers navigating in their vehicles. But is it equally beneficial for kids who cannot drive yet? Would using smartphone navigation displace formative and fundamental lessons a child is meant to learn while growing up? Even more, are God’s “directions” and “way” missed when reliance rests on technology? In today’s episode, Kelly evaluates this claimed benefit of “navigation” from both Dr. Peter Gray’s perspective and historical and biblical perspectives Articles referenced: Helping Kids (and Ourselves) Use Smartphones Safely Scripture referenced: Hebrews 5:14 Proverbs 22:3 Psalms 119:105 Psalms 119:133 Psalms 32:8 Psalms 1:1 Jeremiah 6:16 Isaiah 30:21 Deuteronomy 5:32-33 Proverbs 4:27 Luke 15:4-7 Isaiah 53:6 Psalms 119:176 Ezekiel 34:11-16 Matthew 7:1-14 Proverbs 14:12 Galatians 5:16 Ephesians 4:1 Colossians 2:6 Proverbs 16:9 Proverbs 20:24 Psalms 37:23-24 1 Corinthians 10:23 Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the NEWLY UPDATED book: Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated) Get Kelly’s new Study Guide & Workbook, with video teachings for small groups. Check out our brand new Brave Parenting Merch Sign up for the Brave Bullet Points newsletter! This helps us communicate what’s happening without social media – a win for everyone!

    28 min

  6. APR 1

    Ep. 216: Is Outdoor Safety a “Benefit” of Smartphones for Kids?

    Does having a smartphone during childhood make a child “safer” when they are outdoors?  Is having access to a flashlight, GPS, and a phone to call 911 an essential addition to a child’s outdoor play? What are the downsides or detriments to having a smartphone while playing outdoors? Will children play outdoors as much if they have a smartphone? In today’s episode, Kelly evaluates this claimed benefit from both Dr. Peter Gray’s perspective and historical and biblical perspectives. Articles referenced: Helping Kids (and Ourselves) Use Smartphones Safely Why Did Teen Suicides (Especially for Boys) Decline Sharply from 1990 to 2005? The Age Four Transition into Responsible Childhood The Many Benefits of Video Games Risky Play: Why Children Seek it and Need it Scripture referenced: Psalm 119:89 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Matthew 5:45 Proverbs 22:3 1 Corinthians 6:12 Romans 5:3-4 Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the NEWLY UPDATED book: Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated) Get Kelly’s new Study Guide & Workbook, with video teachings for small groups. Check out our brand new Brave Parenting Merch Sign up for the Brave Bullet Points newsletter! This helps us communicate what’s happening without social media – a win for everyone!

    24 min

  7. MAR 29

    “Moral Panic” Over Social Media Just Became Moral Accountability

    The verdict of the landmark social media addiction/harms trial came back GUILTY. For more than a decade, those who spoke out against social media and its harm to children were accused of “moral panic.” While there was always an urgency to warn others, it was never fear or panic. But the persuasive and personalized design features embedded in social media platforms remain a moral problem in our society. Now, finally, we are starting to see some moral accountability. Articles referenced: What did jury decide in social media case against Meta and Google? Jury Finds Instagram and YouTube Liable in a Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial What is tech addiction? A court ruling makes it Big Tech’s next big problem Scripture referenced: Ezekiel 14:3 Ecclesiastes 1:9 1 John 2:15-17 Colossians 3:5 Proverbs 4:23 Romans 12:2 John 8:44 John 10:10 Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the NEWLY UPDATED book: Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated) Get Kelly’s new Study Guide & Workbook, with video teachings for small groups. Check out our brand new Brave Parenting Merch Sign up for the Brave Bullet Points newsletter! This helps us communicate what’s happening without social media – a win for everyone!

    7 min

  8. MAR 26

    Ep. 215: Are the “Benefits” for Kids Having Smartphones Really Beneficial?

    Many tech advocates and secular experts believe and promote the idea that children should have their own smartphones. They tout the benefits of self-expression (Ep. 212), education, and outdoor safety. Are these benefits really beneficial? Or, are they just convenient? Because Brave Parenting recommends delaying smartphones until age 16, there’s a full decade gap between their recommendations and ours. This episode is the INTRODUCTION to a series of 10 podcasts evaluating whether the claimed benefits are beneficial from a biblical and discipleship standpoint. While there are many voices promoting that kids have their own smartphones, Kelly will evaluate the list published by Dr. Peter Gray in his Play Makes Us Human Substack titled “Helping Kids (and Ourselves) Use Smartphones Safely.” In this article, he lists “9 Benefits for Kids of Smartphone Ownership.” Today, we’ll cover how the secular world aims to desensitize kids to online content, the background and beliefs of Dr. Peter Gray, and his views on the potential risks or harms of smartphone ownership. Kelly evaluates each potential harm so that we can all begin to think biblically (rather than “scientifically”) about what smartphones do to children. Ultimately, it is about understanding that what “experts” and “scientists” conclude will always be skewed because they do not see humans as Image-bearers who are with sinful hearts. Articles referenced: Helping Kids (and Ourselves) Use Smartphones Safely Children Should be Outside for 4-6 Hours Every Day Scripture referenced: Psalm 19:1-3 Galatians 5:16-17 James 1:14-15, 12 Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the NEWLY UPDATED book: Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated) Get Kelly’s new Study Guide & Workbook, with video teachings for small groups. Check out our brand new Brave Parenting Merch Sign up for the Brave Bullet Points newsletter! This helps us communicate what’s happening without social media – a win for everyone!

    50 min
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5
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

We are a network of brave parents who empower & equip others to intentionally develop & train children to have strong character & integrity. We believe brave parenting is doing the right thing even when it is hard. While it seems our children would rather be raised by the internet, the truth is they need strong and courageous parents who will invest in their character.

Information

  • Creator
    Brave Parenting
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 Brave Parenting LLC
  • Show Website
    Brave Parenting

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