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With the ease of access to today’s online pornography, it makes sense to have open, honest conversations with children from an early age. That’s the ideal. But it’s not often how it goes, right? In fact, you may have a teen already—and you’re just starting to think about how to broach this sensitive topic. You’re not alone. My guess is you want to know how to break the ice in a way that doesn’t feel awkward. You want to know the art and science of talking to teens about pornography! In this episode, I speak with Gabe Deem, international speaker and creator of Reboot Nation—a free online recovery community that’s helped thousands of individuals overcome problems related to compulsive porn use. Gabe takes a non-shaming, fact-based approach to this important conversation.  For complete show notes, visit www.ParentsAware.info

Imagine your child’s little league team facing off against top NFL players. Ridiculous, right? A mismatch in every sense of the word. We would never allow it. It’s dangerous. It’s reckless. Our children would get hammered. They might never recover. Yet every day, children and teens enter an arena with just as many odds stacked against them. Unrestricted internet for kids is like asking Little League to compete against the Pros. I’ve got a sports analogy for you today. I’m using my son’s experience of playing organized football for the first time to highlight the disadvantage children and young teens have as they try to navigate an internet that was not designed for their safety. But here’s the thing. With the right coaching and practice routine, this is a game we can win!    For complete show notes, visit www.ParentsAware.info

Ever tried to distract a restless child in a grocery store, doctors' office, or while traveling? Portable screens can feel like a magical pacifying gift, right? But what if they become the norm? Are there long-term implications? Does excessive screen time affect child development? Or are we just letting the guilt and fear get the better of us? It seems that tech is here to stay. So let’s discuss a savvy way to build safer screen habits with our little ones. In this episode, I speak with Penny Marenge, the creator of Screens n Kids, an online platform with a mission to preserve the Early Years. Penny comes to the conversation with a wealth of knowledge she’s gathered as a mental health nurse practitioner and mother of two pre-school-age children.  For complete show notes, visit www.ParentsAware.info

What makes you most angry, upset, or frustrated about parenting in the digital age. Think about it and make a mental checklist. Next, shift your focus to what in this world is most worth protecting? Finally, imagine if the internet would protect children not porn? What if you could help?  In this episode, I talk with Helen Taylor the Vice President of Impact for Exodus Cry an organization committed to abolishing sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Helen helps us understand the intersection between pornography and sex trafficking. As well, she shares a simple action we can take to make the internet a safer place, not just our children, but all children, everywhere. For complete show notes, visit ParentsAware.info

I’ve said it a gajillion times. I’ll say it again. Our kids are waiting for us to start this conversation! But what if we get mixed signals in return? Like slammed doors. Or a son who suddenly grunts most of his words. What then? Is there a different approach for boys than girls? And how does a boy’s journey through puberty impact their response to pornography?  In this episode, I am talking to Cara Natterson, MD, a pediatrician, consultant, and New York Times, bestselling author. She’s written numerous books on parenting and puberty. Her latest work, Decoding Boys: New Science Behind the Subtle Art of Raising Sons, is the inspiration for today’s discussion.   Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to their children and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.

I’ve heard it both ways. Either “I could never tell my parents” or “telling my parents was the best thing I ever did.” Sometimes from the same kid! The truth is, it’s often when our kids need us the most that they retreat and distance themselves from help. Think about it. If it’s hard for us to talk to our kids about pornography, imagine how they must feel if they’ve been struggling with it. In this episode, I invite parents to listen while I speak directly to tweens and teens. I give them advice on how to understand their parents’ reactions. But more importantly, why their parents can be trusted to help with any challenge they face. Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to their children and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.

When it comes to talking to kids about pornography, what’s better, boldness or bravery? The answer is YES! With a topic that takes most of us far outside our comfort zone, we need to gather all the strength we can muster.  A phrase I often repeat is: be bold, be brave, be honest. I believe these are the secret sauce ingredients to building, not just our own confidence around tricky topics like pornography, but also in opening the doors and getting our kids to engage in the conversation. All three are necessary. Today, we’ll focus on the first two. Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to their children and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.

Did you grow up going to sleepovers? Do you have fond memories? Best friends, hanging out all night? Are you eager to carry on the tradition? Or would you rather it disappear altogether? What about the risks? Are they greater in the digital age? Or is there any way to ensure a safer sleepover experience? Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to their children and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.

There’s a lot of pressure on parents to get their kids a smartphone and the latest social apps. What if you’re not ready to give in but your child’s insisting they need a phone to feel included. Is this a valid reason? If not, how do you say no?  This episode is part of our #DearSavvy series. Sometimes you just want a quick answer to a burning question. These shorter episodes are designed to give you just that. Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to their children and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.  

Back to school is the perfect time to review safety strategies with kids. One that’s simple and effective is asking your child or teen to come up with a list of trusted adults to add to their Safe Network.  Having a Safe Network is a concept we highlight in our 5 Body Safety Tips for Kids guide. That’s something you’ll want to print out and stick on your fridge. But in this episode, I walk through the details of helping kids choose who to put in their Safe Network and why it’s important to go to a variety of different sources to build your team.  Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to their children and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.

Ever heard of Only Fans? It’s an online platform where content creators get paid directly by their followers, a.k.a. fans, for the photos and videos they share. But the site is rife with porn and exploitation. And worse, it’s targeting young women in droves with promises of turning likes and follows into instafame and fortune. In this episode, I speak with Meghan Donevan, research director at Talita, a Swedish organization offering exit programs to trafficked and prostituted women. Together, we discuss the inherent problems with platforms such as OnlyFans and their impact on both individuals and society. Plus, strategies parents can use to talk to their kids about sexual exploitation and how to safeguard them against traps like OnlyFans.  Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to their children and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.

We know the term cyberbullying. So do our kids. But what about cyberstalking and sextortion? Not so much. Yet, these are serious online threats putting more kids at risk than most of us realize. What do we need to know to empower kids to be internet safe?  In this episode, I speak with Matt Richardson, an awesome dad of two and founder of the Digital Empowerment Project Canada. Matt is OSINT and SOCINT credentialed. Which means he spends his work hours investigating internet intelligence and decoding information in an effort to reduce harms and end online exploitation. Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to their children and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.