Parents Uncharted: From The Creator of Mom Uncharted

How do phones and constant digital distractions affect our relationships with our kids?

In this episode of Parents Uncharted, Sarah Adams sits down with Dr. Carrie Mackensen to explore technoference- the interruptions in parent-child interactions caused by smartphones, notifications, and screen use. While these moments can seem small, research shows they may influence children’s emotional development, attachment, and sense of connection with caregivers.

Dr. Carrie explains the science behind attention and bonding, including insights from the Still Face Experiment, a well-known study showing how quickly children respond when a caregiver becomes emotionally unavailable. The findings offer a powerful lens for understanding how everyday device distractions can impact developing relationships.

We also talk about the pressure many parents feel around screen time and parenting, why guilt isn’t helpful, and practical ways families can create healthier technology habits at home. Finally, we discuss the growing presence of AI in children’s lives and why ongoing conversations about technology between parents and kids are more important than ever.

In this episode, we discuss:

What technoference is and how phones interrupt parent-child interaction

The impact of screen time and digital distraction on child development

What the Still Face Experiment reveals about attachment and presence

How parents can reduce device interruptions without shame or guilt

Why intentional technology habits matter as AI and digital tools become part of childhood

If you’re navigating parenting in the digital age, this episode offers research-backed insight and practical strategies to help you stay connected with your kids in a screen-saturated world.

More About Dr. Carrie Mackensen:

Dr. Carrie Mackensen is a clinical psychologist, parent coach, and founder of Successful Parent. With over 25 years of experience, including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Clinical Director of addiction and behavioral treatment programs, she specializes in depth psychology, attachment theory, and interpersonal neurobiology, the science of how relationships shape the developing brain. She serves on ScreenStrong's Medical Advisory Board and is author of the forthcoming Digitally Dysregulated: How Screens Hijack Kids' Brains and What Parents Can Do About It (2026). Most importantly, she's a mom to two boys so she gets it!

Resources:

Successful Parent Website: https://successfulparent.com

Newsletter Signup: https://successfulparent.com/newsletter

Instagram Profile: https://instagram.com/successful_parent

Upcoming Digitally Dysregulated Book: https://successfulparent.com/digitally-dysregulated

Connect with Sarah Adams:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://parentsuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted

(00:00) Introduction to Technoference

(05:21) Navigating Screen Time as Parents

(10:48) Understanding Technoference

(15:51) The Still Face Experiment and Its Implications

(25:33) The Long-Term Effects of Screen Time on Development

(29:17) Understanding Digital Parenting and Attachment

(31:58) Overcoming Parent Guilt in a Digital Age

(37:08) Practical Steps for Reducing Screen Time

(41:52) Navigating AI and Technology with Kids

(52:39) The Importance of Open Communication with Children
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In this solo episode, Sarah returns to one of the core pillars of Mom Uncharted, sharenting - the practice of sharing children’s lives online.

In 2026, the risks look very different than they did even five years ago. With AI image manipulation, facial recognition, data harvesting, and permanent digital footprints, posting your child online isn’t just about connection - it’s about long-term consequences.

Sarah breaks down the three core concerns:

Privacy- Children deserve a childhood that isn’t permanently searchable.

Informed Consent- Kids cannot meaningfully consent to a lifelong digital record.

Digital Safety- From exploitation to identity theft, once content is public, control is lost.

This episode isn’t about shame. It’s about awareness and the reminder that it’s never too late to change course.

Connect with Sarah Adams:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://parentsuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted

(0:00) What Is Sharenting?

(3:20) Why Posting Kids Felt “Normal”

(5:00) How Many Parents Share Their Kids?

(7:18) The 3 Pillars: Privacy, Consent, Safety

(10:00) It’s Not Too Late to Change

(11:04) The Internet Is Forever  

(13:37) Let Kids Own Their Digital Story

(15:00) Exploitation, AI & The Dark Side of Virality

(17:00) Kids, Cameras & Mental Health

(18:30) Identity Theft & Your Child’s Data 

(20:00) Questions Before You Post Your Kid

(22:00) Rethinking What We Share About Kids
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In this episode, Ben Gillenwater, known online as the Family IT Guy, breaks down what Roblox actually is and why it presents unique risks for children. He explains the dangers of online chat, user-generated content, and how inappropriate material can still reach young users despite parental controls. Ben also examines Roblox’s business model, including its heavy reliance on in-game purchases, and why that incentive structure matters for families.

Together, Sarah and Ben explore the broader child safety concerns surrounding the platform, including ongoing legal scrutiny and the story of a former young player who began exposing predators within the game. They compare Roblox to Minecraft, highlighting key differences in design, safety systems, and parental oversight.

The conversation ultimately expands beyond one platform, raising critical questions about privacy, age verification technologies, and the growing pressure to trade biometric data for “safety.” At its core, this episode is a call for parents to stay informed, prioritize privacy, and take an active role in guiding their children through the digital world.

More About Ben Gillenwater:

Ben Gillenwater is a 30-year cybersecurity expert and dad on a mission to help families navigate the digital world safely.

His journey began when I gave his young son an iPad with "kid-safe" apps. Despite his decades of tech experience, he was shocked to discover inappropriate content and saw how the device's addictive design affected his sleep and outdoor activity. 

Through Family IT Guy Ben, Ben creates videos and articles that help parents and kids learn how to leverage the positive parts of the internet while avoiding the dangerous and risky parts. His approach bridges the knowledge gap between complex technology and practical family protection, making digital safety accessible to everyone. 

Website: https://www.familyitguy.com/about.html

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/family_it_guy/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@family.it.guy  

Connect with Sarah Adams:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://parentsuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted
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*This episode touches on suicide and self-harm and other dangers related to AI Chatbots. These topics may be difficult for some, listener discretion is advised. Resources below*

In this episode, Nicki Petrossi, founder of the Scrolling 2 Death podcast and the Tech Safe Learning Coalition, breaks down the growing impact of AI chatbots and artificial intelligence on children’s mental health and development. From teens turning to AI for emotional support to the risks of isolation, harmful content, and misinformation, we unpack what parents need to understand about tools like ChatGPT and other chatbot platforms.

Nicki also explains the major lawsuit against Big Tech companies over their role in youth mental health and child safety, and how whistleblowers have helped expose internal concerns about platform risks.

The conversation dives into AI in schools, education technology (EdTech), and the formation of the Tech Safe Learning Coalition-  a movement pushing for greater transparency, parental rights, and stronger safeguards in the classroom.

If you’re concerned about AI, screen time, teen mental health, or how to advocate for safer technology policies in your child’s school, this episode offers both insight and practical steps to take action.

More About Nicki:

Nicki Petrossi is a former social media executive turned social media reform advocate. In late 2023, Nicki launched Scrolling 2 Death, a podcast for parents who are worried about social media. It’s a safe space to elevate the human experiences of children online and educate parents on how to keep them safe.

In 2025, Nicki launched Tech-Safe Learning Coalition, which supports parents related to issues with school tech, and The Heat is On, an investigative mini-series and parent movement to hold Big Tech accountable for harm to children.

Founder & Host, Scrolling 2 Death Podcast

Co-Founder, Tech-Safe Learning Coalition

Founder, S2D Foundation

https://www.scrolling2death.com/

https://www.scrolling2death.com/heat

If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available. You are not alone.

CANADA:

Talk Suicide Canada Call or text 988 (Available 24/7 in English and French)

Kids Help Phone (youth & young adults)Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868

UNITED STATES:

Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall or text 988 (Available 24/7)

Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741

If you are outside Canada or the U.S., please check your local health services for crisis support in your region.

Connect with Sarah Adams:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://parentsuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Nikki Petrossi and Scrolling to Death

(01:57) The Impact of AI on Children

(06:00) The Dangers of AI Chatbots

(10:00) The Role of Technology in Education

(13:58) Tech Safe Learning Coalition and Parental Rights

(18:02) Advocating for Change in Schools

(22:18) The Landmark Lawsuit Against Big Tech

(25:49) The Role of Whistleblowers in Accountability

(31:24) Navigating Mental Health in Advocacy

(35:52) Empowering Parents to Take Action
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In this episode of Parents Uncharted, host Sarah Adams sits down with Dr. Alison Yeung, widely known as The Smartphone Effect MD, to unpack one of modern parenting’s biggest challenges: the impact of smartphones and social media on children’s mental health.

Together, they cut through the noise of polarized tech debates and explore what the research actually shows. Dr. Yeung explains why children’s mental health is complex and multifactorial, why “screens aren’t the problem” is an oversimplification, and how excessive screen time can affect motivation, focus, and emotional regulation- especially for vulnerable groups like kids with ADHD.

This conversation offers practical, preventative guidance for parents and educators, emphasizing digital literacy, healthy boundaries, and the power of modeling balanced tech habits at home. 

More About Dr. Alison Yeung, MD, CCFP:

Dr. Alison Yeung graduated from the University of Waterloo with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, followed by medical training at the University of Ottawa and a Family Medicine residency at Western University. She has practiced as a community family physician in Kitchener since 2014, caring for over 1,200 patients with dedication and compassion. Her clinical focus and passion lie in child and adolescent mental health.

As both a family physician and a mother of two, Dr. Yeung has witnessed firsthand how digital technology shapes the lives of young people—offering connection and creative expression, but also profound risks. Over the past decade, she has cared for youth navigating rising rates of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and self-harm, often accompanied by feelings of loneliness, disconnection, and loss of purpose.

Recognizing that these challenges are complex and multifactorial, Dr. Yeung has become particularly concerned with the growing role of social media and screen time in children’s daily lives. Today, tweens spend an average of 5–6 hours a day on digital entertainment, and teens 6–8 hours—time that displaces sleep, outdoor play, physical activity, and in-person connection.

Since 2023, Dr. Yeung has been speaking to parents, educators, policymakers, and healthcare professionals about the impact of screens and social media on child development and mental health. Her mission is to empower families with knowledge, inspire change, and advocate for a healthier digital future for children.

https://www.instagram.com/thesmartphoneeffectmd 

https://thesmartphoneeffectmd.substack.com/ 

https://linktr.ee/thesmartphoneeffectmd

Connect with Sarah Adams:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted⁠⁠⁠

Follow The Podcast:

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⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠

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