203 episodes

Melanie Hempe, BSN, received her bachelors of Nursing from Emory University. Her mission is 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 and are thrilled to experience a newfound freedom in their lives.
Melanie hosts the popular weekly ScreenStrong Families Podcast. She has been featured in Psychology Today, Thrive-Global, The Wall Street Journal, A&E Network, CBS, CNN, NPR, Screened Out (documentary film), and various news and television outlets.

ScreenStrong Families Melanie Hempe, BSN

    • Kids & Family
    • 5.0 • 80 Ratings

Melanie Hempe, BSN, received her bachelors of Nursing from Emory University. Her mission is 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 and are thrilled to experience a newfound freedom in their lives.
Melanie hosts the popular weekly ScreenStrong Families Podcast. She has been featured in Psychology Today, Thrive-Global, The Wall Street Journal, A&E Network, CBS, CNN, NPR, Screened Out (documentary film), and various news and television outlets.

    ENCORE: How Screens Are Changing the Social & Academic Culture for Students with Joe Clement (#64)

    ENCORE: How Screens Are Changing the Social & Academic Culture for Students with Joe Clement (#64)

    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 lack of development of essential interpersonal skills for our children. Joe shares how the social and academic culture within the school environment has been negatively influenced by the toxic use of screens resulting in increased distractibility, increased impulsivity to cheat, and decreased educational discussion in the classroom. Lastly, Joe provides encouragement and tips to parents and educators to improve the balance in their use of technology in the home and the classroom.


    Support the Show.
    ______________________________________________________

    The "Kids' Brains & Screens" paperback is NOW AVAILABLE!

    Please subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help spread the word. Stay Strong!
    Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more! Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador! ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations
    Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount) Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount) ______________________________________________________

    Production Team:
    Host: Melanie Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    • 57 min
    What Are the Benefits to a Screen Detox? with Dr. Victoria Dunckley (#193)

    What Are the Benefits to a Screen Detox? with Dr. Victoria Dunckley (#193)

    Join Melanie Hempe and Dr. Victoria Dunckley, author of Reset Your Child's Brain, as they delve into the pervasive issue of Electronic Screen Syndrome (ESS) and its impact on children's health and well-being. From sleep disturbances to mood swings, ESS encompasses a range of symptoms triggered by excessive screen time, affecting millions of kids worldwide.

    Drawing from her extensive research and clinical experience, Dr. Dunckley sheds light on the neurological effects of screen exposure. Discover the surprising medical benefits of a screen detox and the transformative outcomes it can bring to children's lives.

    This episode isn't just about highlighting the problem; it's also about providing actionable solutions. Learn about proven strategies for a successful screen detox and practical tips for parents navigating this digital age with their children.

    Join our free Connect forum and embark on the 30-Day Challenge Screen Detox for kids & teens. Take the first step towards reclaiming your child's health and happiness in a screen-saturated world.
    Support the Show.
    ______________________________________________________

    The "Kids' Brains & Screens" paperback is NOW AVAILABLE!

    Please subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help spread the word. Stay Strong!
    Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more! Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador! ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations
    Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount) Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount) ______________________________________________________

    Production Team:
    Host: Melanie Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    • 40 min
    How to Choose a Basic Phone for My Teen with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#192)

    How to Choose a Basic Phone for My Teen with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#192)

    Welcome back, ScreenStrong family! Today, we're diving into a crucial topic with the incredible Dr. Adriana Stacey: how to choose the perfect phone for your kids. Parents worldwide are facing the daunting task of selecting the right phone for their children. With so many options available, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But before we make a choice, let's pause and ask ourselves: Why does our child need a phone in the first place?

    Understanding the purpose behind giving your child a phone is key. Is it for safety, communication, or simply convenience? Let's be honest—it's often more about parental peace of mind than the child's actual needs.
    As we delve into the world of technology, we encounter both risks and benefits. While phones offer connectivity and convenience, they also pose risks like exposure to inappropriate content and excessive screen time. Are the benefits worth the potential pitfalls?
    Support the Show.
    ______________________________________________________

    The "Kids' Brains & Screens" paperback is NOW AVAILABLE!

    Please subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help spread the word. Stay Strong!
    Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more! Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador! ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations
    Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount) Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount) ______________________________________________________

    Production Team:
    Host: Melanie Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    • 32 min
    Tips on How to Create a ScreenStrong Classroom with Dory Suttmiller (#191)

    Tips on How to Create a ScreenStrong Classroom with Dory Suttmiller (#191)

    Join Mandee Hamann as she chats with Dory Suttmiller, an experienced educator and ScreenStrong Ambassador, about the changing role of technology in classrooms. Dory shares insights into fostering better student-teacher interactions and offers practical tips for creating a healthy learning environment amidst digital distractions. 

    Whether you're a teacher or a parent, this episode provides valuable advice for navigating technology's impact on education. Tune in to learn how Dory was able to establish a ScreenStrong Classroom and improve the learning environment for her students.
    Support the Show.
    ______________________________________________________

    The "Kids' Brains & Screens" paperback is NOW AVAILABLE!

    Please subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help spread the word. Stay Strong!
    Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more! Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador! ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations
    Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount) Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount) ______________________________________________________

    Production Team:
    Host: Melanie Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    • 43 min
    Summer Strategies: Keeping Middle Schoolers ScreenStrong This Summer (#190)

    Summer Strategies: Keeping Middle Schoolers ScreenStrong This Summer (#190)

    Do you want to prevent your middle Schooler from becoming dependent on screen time this summer? Join Melanie as she offers practical strategies to Emily, a ScreenStrong Ambassador and concerned middle school mom, to keep tweens engaged and social without resorting to video games or social media. 

    Get inspired and discover how to make this summer a ScreenStrong success for your family!
    Support the Show.
    ______________________________________________________

    The "Kids' Brains & Screens" paperback is NOW AVAILABLE!

    Please subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help spread the word. Stay Strong!
    Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more! Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador! ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations
    Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount) Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount) ______________________________________________________

    Production Team:
    Host: Melanie Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    • 57 min
    ENCORE: TikTok: It’s All In The Algorithm with Dr. Leonard Sax (#102)

    ENCORE: TikTok: It’s All In The Algorithm with Dr. Leonard Sax (#102)

    Melanie is joined once again by Dr. Leonard Sax, an American psychologist and a practicing family physician. Dr. Sax has spoken on child and adolescent development issues in schools and communities worldwide since 2001. He is the author of numerous books and publications, including The Collapse of Parenting, one of ScreenStrong’s most recommended books.

    Did you know that TikTok is the #1 most visited website in the U.S. and Worldwide today? One billion TikTok videos are viewed daily, and its popularity has spread with astonishing speed, affecting all that engage with it. Melanie and Dr. Sax take a deep dive to deconstruct TikTok’s algorithm and its harmful impact and suggestibility on young people. From social pressure to self-harm, Dr. Sax expands on the dark side of social media’s influence on our children’s development. He also dives into the parental trap of “just wanting to make our children happy” and how we need to shift and strengthen our parenting intentions to help our children fulfill their potential.

    This is an episode that you may want to use to start a small discussion group among a few friends to encourage and cultivate support in your parenting journey.
    Support the Show.
    ______________________________________________________

    The "Kids' Brains & Screens" paperback is NOW AVAILABLE!

    Please subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help spread the word. Stay Strong!
    Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more! Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador! ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations
    Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount) Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount) ______________________________________________________

    Production Team:
    Host: Melanie Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    • 1 hr 4 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
80 Ratings

80 Ratings

ScreenStrong Grandmother ,

Empowering Podcast

The ScreenStrong podcast is a must listen for any parent, grandparent and teacher. I have learned so much about the negative side affects of toxic screens. I am more dedicated than ever to keeping toxic screens out of my life. ScreenStrong gives me the strategies and the scientific backed research to help me stay focused and committed to a toxic screen free lifestyle. Screens no longer control my life!

Coharie Tweety ,

Thank You!

This podcast gave me the strength to get my 8 year old off video games. We are loving life now. His meltdowns are less frequent and less intense. He is finding life outside of video games again.

parent to boys ,

A must listen

If you are concerned about screen time at all, you’ll find the information on this podcast highly valuable if not life changing. It changed how I talk to my kids about Screen Time, how we use screens in our home and the encouragement you receive from Melanie while learning the science-based facts is invaluable!! if I could make every single one of my friends listen to the show, I would!

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