ScreenStrong Families

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 .”

ScreenStrong Families is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 296 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts ScreenStrong Families, a education show with 296 episodes published.

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  ScreenStrong Families

  Psychiatrist Tips: Why Your Teen Needs a Job (and Fewer Screens) with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#269)

  Sep 23, 202646 min

  What if one of the best ways to help your teen spend less time gaming and scrolling is to give them something meaningful to do in the real world? In this episode, Melanie Hempe and Dr. Stacey explore why teens may benefit from having a part-time job—and what the research says about structured activities, screen use, executive function, confidence, responsibility, academics, and long-term outcomes. You'll learn: Why structured time may protect teens from problematic technology use What fewer teens working today may mean for adolescent development How a job builds responsibility, confidence, independence, and real-world skills What the research says about working and school performance Why age and hours worked matter Why working more than about 20 hours a week during the school year can become problematic How to help a screen-focused teen find a job they can actually get excited about How a job can become part of a bigger goal: less screen time and more real life The goal isn't simply to keep your teen busy or take away their screens. It's to help them build a life they don't want to escape from. Listen in—and then start the conversation with your teen about getting a job. 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 Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

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  ScreenStrong Families

  I Didn’t Miss Out (Part 2): What I Gained Growing Up Without Screens with Andrew Hempe (#268)

  Sep 15, 202634 min

  In Part 1, Andrew Hempe explained what he gained from growing up without smartphones or video games. In Part 2, he answers the questions parents and teens ask him most. Andrew starts by admitting the obvious: he did miss out on some things—easy access to pornography, the anxiety and depression tied to social media, and screen addiction itself. His point: not all missing out is bad, and there's a real difference between protecting a child from permanent harm and sheltering them from healthy difficulty. He also walks through what happened when he finally got a smartphone after high school, on his own terms, as a tool rather than a "toy." No social media. No gaming console. Because the habits, hobbies, and delayed-gratification mindset were already in place, the phone never became a crutch. From there, Andrew tackles the arguments parents hear constantly: Why can't my kid just have screens and sports, music, and friends? Won't my child resent me forever? Don't confuse intelligence with maturity, and don't confuse access with preparation. He closes with a direct message to teens listening—that the friendships worth keeping don't depend on a screen—and a reminder to parents that conversations alone won't solve a screen problem; only removing access will. 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 Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

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  ScreenStrong Families

  I Didn’t Miss Out (Part 1): What I Gained Growing Up Without Screens with Andrew Hempe (#267)

  Sep 8, 202632 min

  What if growing up without a smartphone or video games didn’t mean missing out—but actually meant gaining more? In this episode of the ScreenStrong Families Podcast, 22-year-old Andrew Hempe shares what it was really like to grow up without the addictive screens that are now considered a normal part of childhood. After seeing his older brother struggle with severe gaming addiction, Andrew’s parents made the difficult decision to raise their younger children without smartphones or video games. Andrew explains why he believes he didn’t miss out at all. Instead, he gained four things that have shaped who he is today: strong family relationships, the ability to be comfortable with boredom and discomfort, real-world skills, and deep friendships. He shares personal stories about family dinners, sports, music, school, and friendships—and explains how having more time away from screens gave him the opportunity to develop communication skills, creativity, confidence, perseverance, and meaningful relationships. Andrew also addresses one of parents’ biggest fears: What if my child is the only one without a smartphone or video games? Will they be left out? Will they have friends? His experience offers a powerful perspective for parents who wonder whether protecting childhood from addictive technology means their kids will miss out. Andrew's answer is clear: there is so much more to gain when screens aren't taking up the space meant for childhood. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. In Part 2, Andrew answers the questions he hears most often about growing up this way—including what he actually missed out on, what happened when he eventually got a smartphone, and why some things are worth missing. 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 Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

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  ScreenStrong Families

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

  Aug 26, 202645 min

  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 school Why teacher interaction and relationships matter Technology use and young children What kids need to learn before AI does the work for them How parents can ask schools better questions about classroom technology Practical ways to create a more human-centered learning environment Technology 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 Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

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  ScreenStrong Families

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

  Aug 20, 202658 min

  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 Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

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