Season 2 of "Screen Less Play More" starts with Emily Cherkin! -

New episodes of the Screen Less Play More podcast are available now!

Podcast guest Emily Cherkin jokes that, “Parenting is the judgiest sport I’ve ever played…From day one, you’re being judged about how you diaper, how you feed, how you sleep. And that in and of itself is exhausting. But but wait until the screen time stuff comes up.”

On episode 1 of our new season, Emily has so much great advice on how to become “tech intentional” in your family. And she knows how difficult it is to parent in this digital world!

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Emily warns us that parental controls on phones are not the answer, “because it’s using technology to solve a problem that technology created.” Plus, kids (especially teens) can always get around them. Instead, your relationship with your child is the key. Explain why social media can be dangerous, explain why you are limiting screen time, and make sure that they know how to use technology responsibly.

Emily also asks us to ask ourselves why were are giving our kids internet connected devices in the first place. She says to Screen Less Play More, “Well, my first question is, ‘why does it have to be an internet connected smartphone?’ Because a flip phone does that just fine. And if it’s really truly a, ‘I just need to call or text to find out where my child is’…. I would back it up even further and ask ‘why do they need a phone in the first place? What skills are we giving them an opportunity to build by delaying access to that to that tool?’ And I would argue there’s actually quite a few skills about self-reliance and advocacy, independence that are extremely important to raising a healthy child and a thriving adult someday.”

Emily Cherkin knows what she’s talking about

Through her role as The Screentime Consultant, Emily advises families on how to use screens in an intentional, safe, and healthy way. She admits, “No parent has ever come to me and said, ‘I wish I gave my kid the access sooner.’ Never, never, not one parent. And I’ve talked to thousands of parents over the years. It’s always, ‘I wish I’d waited’ or ‘I wish I knew then what I know now.’ And I always say it’s worth the fight because when they’re younger, you do have more authority, you do have more ability to set limits and restrict access to some degree. It’s not easy at all, but boy, it is so different when your kid turns 16.”

“EdTech is just Big Tech in a sweater vest.” -Emily Cherkin

I asked Emily to define the two biggest problems about tech in schools and she replied, “Oh, that’s easy. The distraction…The fractured attention, the inability to stay focused, the impact on learning. And then, the internet. A Chromebook is a web browser. It’s not a learning tool. And again, the very easy solution to this, which would be an incredibly difficult thing to do, but I think needs to happen, is to remove the internet from the students’ devices. And if you’re doing that, then why do you each need an individual device? A computer lab absolutely would serve the purpose.”

During the podcasts, Emily discusses the role of AI in the classroom, and how schools are not preparing kids for this incredibly powerful and sometimes dangerous tool. She is completely in favor of teaching kids how to use these tools responsibly through technology education. Which, she points out, can be done without a screen.

Emily is not blaming teachers, who often times are between a rock and a hard place. Many times they are asked to use new tech tools before administrators determine if they are developmentally appropriate, or even useful. As far as AI, however, Emily points out, “I have a tremendous empathy for teachers. And I also want them to know that as they’re doubling down on these AI tools, as some of them are, that it isn’t AI is training the teachers to be better teachers. The teachers are training AI to be better AI so that they can displace the teachers.” Scary thought!

Take a listen!

Become a Screen Less Play More insider!

If you want to hear more from Emily Cherkin’s interview, become a member of The Players Club on Apple Podcasts! Members will get early access to all episodes, bonus content from episodes, as well as my “book bites” where I do a quick synopsis of great books (because I know you’re too busy changing diapers and slaying at work to read a whole book today!)

Books we love:

Speaking of book bites, here’s my quick recap of “The Anxious Generation” for those of you who haven’t had time to read it:

“The Screentime Solution” by Emily Cherkin

Emily’s book is one of the most comprehensive, helpful guides for families that I have read. Some of her top action items are:

Set up screen-free zones or times
For example, no devices in bedrooms (especially at night) and device-free family dinners. This helps protect sleep, safety, and relationships.

Turn off or limit notifications, delete distracting social media apps
Reducing the addictive cues of tech makes it easier to use screens more deliberately and avoid getting pulled in constantly.

Use built-in screentime or monitoring tools to set and enforce limits
Track how much time is spent, set caps, enforce them. The idea is not to micromanage, but to have awareness and boundaries.

Delay personal devices
Delay the introduction of personal smartphones / tablets or access to social media until kids are older, better able to self-regulate, and more aware of the implications.

Prioritize relationships and real-world skills
Play, play, play! Before handing over screens, ensure that children have ample opportunities for unstructured play, face-to-face interaction, physical activity, and skills like self-regulation.

I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org, and if you buy her book through my link I will receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.