Raising Healthy Kids Beyond Social Media and Ed Tech | Ash Brandin & Emily Cherkin | A Kids Co.

Full Episode description

As families head into summer break, screentime may feel top of mind for parents trying to raise healthy, balanced kids in a screen-saturated world. Elise Hu revisits two Raising Us conversations to help parents make sense of how screens are shaping kids’ lives, learning, and wellbeing. First, public school teacher, librarian, and author Ash Brandin offers alternatives to strict screen time limits while considering differences from kid to kid. They bring personal and professional expertise in what they consider and the strategies that have worked for them. Later in the episode, Emily Cherkin, founder of The Screentime Consultant, unpacks how kids are using educational technology in schools. Emily offers tips on how to start conversations addressing questions and concerns with your kids, teachers, or local school board, and discusses why replacing judgment with curiosity can open the door to meaningful change. Together, these conversations offer practical tools for navigating the overlap between social media, screen time, and learning.

Key Takeaways

Replace judgement with curiosity.

Assess your child’s learning style to determine if educational technology is actually necessary.

Be brave in making first steps towards change that betters you and your family.

The amount of screen time your kids are exposed to does not determine your success as a parent.

Consider access, behavior, and content when analyzing your child’s relationship with screens.

⏱️ Timestamps:

Keep the conversation going at home with our FREE Conversation Kit companion guides: 

Social Media: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/1d1aa9656f95dc45/8e073e0ac686a340

Educational Technology: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/68b2a3f16e84424f/443227901429762f

Follow Ash Brandin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegamereducator

Follow Emily Cherkin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescreentimeconsultant

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ABOUT THE SHOW

Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers

Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.

Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don’t have to wing the hard stuff.

Follow on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.

Topics Covered on Raising Us:

Parenting kids and tweens

Mental health for kids

Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion

Screen time and social media

Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings

Building emotional intelligence in families

Conscious and values-driven parenting

Elise Hu parenting podcast

A Kids Co. podcast series

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