How to be more engaging than the algorithm - Erin Loechner of The Opt-Out Family | Screen Less Play More Episode 2
Release Date: 04/16/2025
The Problem With EdTech | Common Myths Debunked | Amy Tyson of EverySchool.org | Screen Less Play More episode 17
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"The developers of these educational games are the same great minds that are creating recreational video games. They are experts at the compulsion loop. They are experts at keeping you hooked." - Amy Tyson Amy Tyson of EverySchool.org tells us everything you need to know about EdTech. Can EdTech really expand what teachers do? Or is it causing addiction and attention fragmentation? Looks like it's worse than we thought. EdTech promised a learning revolution, but the EdTech revolution has failed. Even Bill Gates agrees. We are living through the false promise of device-based...
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How Generative AI Can Rot Your Brain, (And How To Raise A Reader) | Natalie Wexler | Screen Less Play More Episode 16
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“The word memorization has become like a dirty word in education....It's always paired with the adjective rote. Now, rote memorization is memorizing stuff that you don't actually understand. And that's not very helpful. But memorization...is really the basis of learning," Natalie Wexler tells us. "The more information you have about a subject in long-term memory, the easier it is to learn new things about that subject because the new information has a framework to fit into, something to stick to." "If we want kids to be good readers, know, comprehenders of their reading. If...
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Why is play important for children? | Deb Lawrence IPA USA | Screen Less Play More Episode 15
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"Think what we want the future worker to have. Think what employers tell us all the time. We want them to be able to have it take initiative. We want them to be able to cooperate and collaborate with others. We want them to be good problem solvers. We want them to have good communication skills. All that stuff you learn during play." - Deb Lawrence of the International Play Association USA. Listen in for more GREAT insights on play from Deb. Welcome to the Screen Less Play More Podcast with Cynthia Dvorak! Discover the benefits of less screen time for children and...
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It's time to ban phones in school | Melinda Murphy | Screen Less Play More Episode 14
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"The number of places that I found kids doing drug deals over Snapchat, for example, nine to one. It didn't start with a conversation and notes being passed in English class, it started over a social media platform. And so I talk about like the dangers of social media that you don't know as a parent walking in with an 11 year old are alarming, honestly. But I feel like somebody needs to tell you this, not to scare you, but to make you aware so that you are very cautious about what you allow." - Melinda Murphy This week, Cynthia talks to Melinda Murphy, principal of...
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The Secret Science Addicting Kids to Screens | Dr. Richard Freed, author of "Better Than Real Life" | Screen Less Play More Episode 13
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Why are kids addicted to screens? Why are kids addicted to social media and video games? Dr. Richard Freed gives us the answers, and explains step-by-step how tech companys design their apps and games to keep us on as long as possible. Silicon Valley has been methodically implementing a secret science called "persuasive design." They have figured out how to prey upon our deeply-ingrained fears, desires, motivations, and ancient DNA, to hook us on screens, apps, and video games. Richard Freed, a child and adolescent psychologist, reveals why in his book "Better Than Real Life: The Secret...
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My School Banned Phones for the Year. Here's What Happened | High School Teacher Gilbert Schuerch | Screen Less Play More episode 12
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Gilbert's viral Substack article caught Jonathan Haidt's attention. Haidt said on his own "After Babel" Substack, "Today, we’re sharing one of the most compelling and entertaining essays we’ve read on what happens when a school goes phone-free. The essay is written by Gilbert Schuerch, a veteran high school teacher in Harlem, NYC. He is also the writer of the Substack, , where he shares stories from inner city public education and muses on the nature of teaching." Gilbert has some hilarious, poignant, and important stories about how phones have affected the kids at his high school in...
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Help! My kids are addicted to screens | Executive function specialist Michael McLeod gives parents a better path | Episode 11
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"In all my years of doing this since 2016, I have never worked with a single family that eliminated screens or significantly decreased screens and went on to regret it. Every single one of them saw a brand new child who slept better, ate better, conversed better, socialized better, did better at school," says Michael McLeod, of Grow Now ADHD. In this episode of "Screen Less Play More," Michael gives AMAZING advice to parents who are trying to navigate, manage, and survive screen time and technology. He has special insight into kids with ADHD. Michael tells us, "executive...
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How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids' Sports, and Why It Matters | Linda Flanagan, author of "Take Back The Game" | Screen Less Play More Episode 10
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"Somewhere along the way, kids' sports stopped being for kids" says author and podcast guest Linda Flanagan. "Hold on, you might think. I want my kids in the game because exercise and team sports deliver virtues and advantages; they build character, promote well-being, and foster social connection'....but...Thanks to the extravagant investments in kids' sports, parents' Olympian commitment to their children's recreation, and the exalted role of athletics in higher education, much of what we love about youth sports- and why we want our children to play- has been eroded." Welcome to the...
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Hidden dangers of Snapchat, Roblox, and group texts | Sarah Gallagher Trombley, former Snapchat exec | Screen Less Play More Episode 9
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"No social media app, no matter how high-minded their philosophies are, they're not there to change the world and make it better. They're there to generate enough income to keep being a business." - Sarah Gallagher Trombley Former Snapchat executive and digital parenting expert Sarah Gallagher Trombley gives a fascinating interview to Cynthia Dvorak on The Screen Less Play More Podcast. This is your snapchat, roblox, and group texting safety guide! Sarah answers your burning questios: Is Snapchat safe for kids? What do teens use Snapchat for? Is Roblox safe for kids? Is social...
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How do I explain AI to my child? | Donnell Probst of the National Association for Media Literacy Education | Screen Less Play More Episode 8
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How do I navigate online scams? How can I tell if it's a deepfake? How can I use AI responsibly? How should we use artificial intelligence in the classroom? Media literacy is needed now more than ever! Donnell Probst has our answers. Donnell is the interim director of the National Association for Media Literacy Education. Welcome to the Screen Less Play More Podcast with Cynthia Dvorak! Discover the benefits of less screen time for children and practical strategies to reduce screen use as a family. Learn about guidelines, the role of a screen time parenting support coach, and fun...
info_outlineHow do I keep my kids busy? How do I keep my kids off screens? How do we reconnect as a family? What happened when Instagram changed their algorithm?! Erin Loechner has your answers!
Cynthia interviews Erin Loechner, author of 'The Opt Out Family.' They discuss how to give your kids what technology can't. Erin shares her family's approach to technology, emphasizing the need for boundaries and the role of literature in fostering a tech-free environment. The conversation also delves into the manipulative nature of social media algorithms and the challenges parents face in navigating their children's tech use.
Modern parents are constantly asking:
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What are the recommended screen time limits for children by age?
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How can I reduce my child's screen time effectively?
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How much is too much screen time really?
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What are the negative effects of too much screen time on kids?
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How do I encourage my child to engage in activities that don’t involve screens?
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What should I do if my child is addicted to screens?
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What if I’m addicted to my screen too?
In this podcast, Cynthia Dvorak, founder of Screen Less Play More, dives deep into the pressing topics of screen time and its impact on children and families. Join us as we explore the benefits of less screen time, including enhanced physical health, improved social skills, and boosted creativity. We’ll discuss how much screen time is too much, sharing guidelines for different age groups and the signs to watch for when it’s time to cut back.
You’ll also learn practical strategies for reducing screen time with your family, from setting screen limits and creating screen-free zones to planning engaging activities and modeling healthy habits. Plus, we introduce the concept of a screen time parenting support coach—what they are, how they can help your family balance tech use, and tips for finding the right coach for your needs.
Tune in for insightful discussions, expert tips, and relatable experiences that will empower you to take charge of your family’s screen time. Let’s work together to foster a healthier, more connected family environment!
Website & Blog: https://screenlessplaymore.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559041665093
Can a screen time parenting coach really help? Yes! Learn more at https://screenlessplaymore.com/screen-time-parenting-coach/
Learn more about Jonathan Haidt's new book "The Amazing Generation" at https://screenlessplaymore.com/the-amazing-generation-is-the-anxious-generation-for-kids/