Brave Parenting

We have another episode in our SET UP FOR SCHOOL series. Today we are talking with a public middle school principal about how kids’ time in front of a screen consuming online media content impacts their education. A lot of times, it isn’t how media and technology are used (or misused) during the school instructional hours but what happens outside of school that has a tremendous impact...

Today is another episode in our SET UP FOR SCHOOL series, and we are talking with theologian and mom Krista Bontrager. In a way, we are all theologians, Krista explains, and because most Christians spend more time consuming online media than reading God’s word, we have a lot of wrong theology. How can parents correct this and how important is having a right theology as you raise and disciple...

Kicking off our SET UP FOR SCHOOL series is a gifted teacher and blessing to the Christian community, Elizabeth Urbanowicz. Today we will discuss with her the importance of a Biblical Worldview: when and how to start teaching it and how online media and entertainment impact it. Elizabeth holds an M.A. in Christian Apologetics from Biola University. Several years into her teaching experience in a C...

Today Kelly introduces the upcoming series of Set Up for School . We have an amazing lineup of interviews to help parents keep them grounded in a Biblical worldview as the new school year begins. Before the episodes kick-off, however, Kelly gives Biblical encouragement to do this brave, hard work of teaching, admonishing, disciplining, and discipling your kids. What good is it to get straight A&#8...

In this episode, Kelly and Chelsea overview the new Threads app connected to Instagram that aims to be a better option than Twitter. As with all social media apps, there is much to consider when creating an account, and even more so if your child desires a presence on the app. After highlighting 5 FACTS parents need to know about Threads, they look at some popular news outlets’ take on Threa...

Today we have a conversation with Reagan Rose, Bible teacher, ministry leader, and author of the book A Student’s Guide to Gaming . Regan has so much wisdom and insight to share with parents about what Scripture says about addictive/obsessive entertainment as well as practical tips for parents to help navigate gaming. Reagan’s Ministry: Redeeming Productivity Reagan’s Book: Stude...

Artificial Intelligence has enabled the creation of dedicated beauty filtering apps as well as filters built into social media apps. These have given rise to increased demand for plastic surgery as patients desire to look like their filtered selfies. Tragically, there has also been an increase in Body Dysmorphic Disorder.  Kelly & Chelsea take a look at this topic from the Biblical point of vi...

Today we are joined by recent high school graduate Mary Katherine. After her parents restricted her from social media at age 13, she made the radical (and amazingly wise) decision at 16 to abstain from social media altogether. Kelly & Mary Katherine talk about the impact that has had on her life: how she maintains friendships without Snapchat, relevance without Instagram, and news without ever...

Today’s Worldview Wednesday episode discusses the TikTok trend #dopaminedetox. Time magazine has noted the “moment” dopamine detoxing is having on social media platforms. At the core, the idea is to create better, healthier habits. However, this social media trend also provides great lessons for learning discernment with online media. How can we ourselves and our kids critically...

Today, Kelly and her husband, Ryan, discuss the new mixed reality headset, Vision Pro, announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference on June 5, 2023. What is this device exactly? How will it be used? And what are the implications for the future? Ryan is enamored with advancing technology, while Kelly is cautious about its impact on personal relationships. Their common ground is found...

In today’s episode, we look at four major news headlines over the past two weeks. The Surgeon General’s advisory on social media and kids, Early smartphone ownership linked with greater mental health issues, Montana bans TikTok, and Stephen & Ayesha Curry’s social media regret. This episode is great to listen to as a family, and Kelly & Chelsea give thought-provoking ques...

Every year the National Center on Sexual Exploitation researches and compiles a list of the twelve mainstream entities that facilitate, enable, and even profit from sexual abuse and exploitation. This campaign is called the Dirty Dozen list, and on today’s episode, Kelly and Chelsea discuss the twelve and what parents are to do with information like this. Do you boycott? Do you advocate for...

On May 9, 2023, the American Psychological Association released its first Health Advisory Report on adolescents’ use of social media. Parents everywhere await expert organizations like the APA to guide and direct their decisions and even affirm their concerns regarding the risks of kids’ use of social media. Unfortunately, this report provides nothing of value that the everyday non-psy...

Summer is upon us and in this episode, Kelly & Chelsea help you prepare for the desire and propensity for extra screen time! First, they discuss the general boundaries every family needs in their home, and based on that, they discuss the common ways kids get around boundaries and parental controls. Frustrating, but it is the reality. Finally, Kelly & Chelsea look at preparing your kid&#821...

This week’s Worldview Wednesday covers three recent headlines of young people who are bullied and then take their own lives. If bullies have always been a part of every generation – what is so different about bullying today that it leads to such tragic ends? Even more, why is suicide now the go-to solution for kids? Kelly and Chelsea look at scripture to find answers to these questions...

This week Kelly & Chelsea tackle what it means to grow up living a “Content Driven Life.” This refers to the online content consumed or created that shapes their thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs. More specifically, we address the Social Contagions  that take hold in a content driven life and how dangerous that is. Articles Referenced: Psychology Today: Nihilism Psychology Today: So...

This week we are looking into the reality of alcohol delivery to minors through apps like UberEats and DoorDash. It’s a growing problem that these delivery services are trying to navigate, but as we know, teens have a lot of time and a lot of tech savviness to find workarounds. As always, we look at this issue through the lens of Scripture. Articles referenced: Investigators Find Delivery Se...

To live in the world but not be of the world can be a challenge for every Christian. In the age of social media it is all too easy to slowly slip into believing lies. Whether that be bad or false ideologies or that social media itself poses no risks to you. Today, Kelly & Chelsea discuss 5 common myths Christians often believe about social media and their presence on it. This episode might set...

What is the impact on kids when their parent is (or wants to be) an online influencer? What about when the kids are the content? In this Worldview Wednesday episode we look at headlines surrounding what is known as Sharenting: the sharing of kids pictures, videos, and lives by parents. What are the long term benefits (if any)? What are the unseen consequences? Most importantly, what does God&#8217...

Brave Parenting is always looking for like-minded organizations that passionately care about the effect media and technology have on children, adults, and relationships. Today we are talking with Joey Odom, co-founder of Aro, the first in-home digital wellbeing solution designed for families. You are going to love this interview with Joey, Aro’s mission, and their product! CHECK OUT ARO &#82...

We are so excited to share our 100th episode with you! Joining Kelly & Chelsea today are the husbands behind Brave Parenting: Ryan Newcom & Zach Hezel. They are the technical equipment support crew and production team that keeps us running. But more than that, they are Fathers doing the hard work of waiting and limiting with an end goal of holiness, not happiness. We ask serious questions...

In this Worldview Wednesday, we look at recent investigative reports regarding the pinboards created on Pinterest by adult men of young girls. We look at three different articles surrounding the growing problem of child sex abuse material through a biblical worldview in order to help parents make wise and God-honoring decisions regarding their child’s use of social media platforms. Articles...

This week we are aiming to answer the question, “What exactly is a Biblical worldview?” and, more importantly, “Do I have a Biblical worldview?” When we consider how secularism and materialism can become subtly absorbed worldviews just by living in Western society, it becomes obvious that it intentionality is required to decipher how the Bible should inform our views. Our s...

In today’s episode, we look at the recent headlines about TikTok’s announcement that users under 18 will soon have a default time limit of 60 minutes. Summarizing five different articles, we apply a Biblical worldview to the reality of unhealthy habits (such as multiple hours of TikTok per day), how to stop, and whether or not it is sinful to continue doing what your conscience tells y...

Today’s episode is an app review of ‘BeReal’. Voted the 2022 iPhone App of the Year, this app aims to give users a realistic glimpse into what their friends are doing, seeing, and experiencing. What do parents need to know? What age is it appropriate? Listen in! If you prefer to read about BeReal, check out our app review on BraveParenting.net