Hey

Let’s be real—parenting in the digital age is overwhelming.

Our kids are growing up in a world we never had to navigate. Social media, smartphones, AI-powered apps, and digital communities are shaping their lives—often in ways we don’t fully understand.

It’s tempting to throw up our hands and say, “They know more than I do!” But here’s the truth: YOU are the single most important influence on how your child engages with technology.

That’s why I sat down with digital safety expert Katie Greer, who has spent 20+ years helping schools, corporations, and families navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. In this powerful two-part podcast episode, we break down exactly what parents need to know—and DO—right now to keep their kids safe, empowered, and mentally healthy online.

🎙️ Listen Now:
Part 1: https://youtu.be/l-wJdxewOV0
Part 2: https://youtu.be/iQrrG48DpAc

💡 What Every Parent Must Know About Tech & Kids

Here are three major takeaways from our conversation that will change the way you think about technology in your home:

1. Technology Should Be Like Driver’s Ed—Not a Free-for-All 🚗

Would you hand your teenager the keys to the car without any lessons, rules, or practice? Of course not! But that’s exactly what many parents do when they give their child a smartphone with no guidelines, training, or ongoing conversations.

Katie recommends treating tech the same way you’d treat learning to drive:
✅ Start with structured learning – Teach your kids how to navigate technology responsibly before giving them full access.
✅ Supervised practice – Just like a learner’s permit, kids need training wheels before full independence. This means having open conversations, setting up parental controls, and making sure they understand the risks and responsibilities of being online.
✅ Gradual independence – Not all kids are ready for social media at the same age. Every child is different. Consider their emotional maturity, impulse control, and decision-making skills before allowing unsupervised access.

2. Your Kid’s Brain is Still Developing—And Tech is Rewiring It 🧠

Here’s something most parents don’t realize: Kids’ brains aren’t fully developed until their mid-20s. That means the constant stimulation of social media, video games, and endless scrolling is shaping their attention span, self-esteem, and emotional regulation in ways that even they don’t understand.

🚨 What This Means for Parents:
✅ Social media isn’t harmless – Research shows that kids who spend more time online experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and body image issues.
✅ Comparison culture is REAL – Kids are constantly measuring themselves against filtered, curated, and often unrealistic online personas.
✅ Teach critical thinking – Your child must learn to question what they see online. Just because something goes viral doesn’t mean it’s true or safe.

🛠 What You Can Do Right Now:
✔ Limit screen time & encourage tech-free activities (exercise, hobbies, social interactions)
✔ Help your kids think critically about what they consume (Ask: “Do you think this is real? Who benefits from this content?”)
✔ Teach them digital resilience – Social media isn’t going away, but your child can learn to engage with it in a healthier way.

3. Your Child Will Make Mistakes—And That’s Okay (If They Come to You First!)

One of the biggest fears parents have is that their child will post or share something that will haunt them later.

The truth is, mistakes will happen. Kids will mess up online. They will make bad decisions. The question is: Will they feel safe enough to tell you?

🚀 Your Role as a Parent:
✔ Be the person they turn to FIRST, not last.
✔ Create a judgment-free zone – If they’re afraid of getting in trouble, they’ll hide things from you.
✔ Teach them to pause before they post – Help them understand that everything online is permanent (even if they think it disappears).

The best way to do this? Talk to them early and often.

In the episode, Katie shares a brilliant tech training exercise:
📱 Scroll through your own social media with your kids – Talk about what’s appropriate, what’s misleading, and what might have long-term consequences.
💬 Ask them questions – “What do you think this post is trying to say? Do you think this person knew this would be public forever?”
🔄 Make it a conversation, not a lecture – Your kids will learn best when they feel heard, not judged.

🎧 Don’t Miss These Game-Changing Episodes!

If you want to feel more confident, informed, and empowered in your parenting approach to technology, this is the episode to listen to.

🎙️ Listen to the Full Conversation on Apple - Spotify - YouTube (Links in footer)

🎯 What’s Next? Let’s Make a Plan Together!
Still feeling overwhelmed by tech and parenting? I’m here to help.

👉 Book a Free Strategy Call Today: https://calendly.com/thomasmillercoaching/30m-appointments

Together, we’ll create a custom game plan to help your child build healthy tech habits, stronger boundaries, and the confidence to make good choices online.

Remember, you are not powerless. You have more influence than you think. And with the right tools and guidance, you can raise tech-savvy, resilient, and emotionally healthy kids.

💬 Hit reply and let me know: What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to parenting & technology? I’d love to help.

With you on this journey,
Thomas Miller