Parent Tech

Twenty years of research on kids and tech and a new report lead to an inescapable conclusion: managing technology in your family never really stops. It's a cycle –– and most of us are already in it. In this episode of Parent Tech, I sit down with Amanda Lenhart, lead researcher and author of the Family Tech Cycle report from the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop. She's spent mor...

Good design makes parenting easier. Bad design makes it harder.  In this episode I talk to Jorge Fino, VP of Design at Nex — one of TIME's 100 most influential companies of 2026 and the company behind the Playground, an active play system. It's clear to me how much Jorge thinks about the role of technology in family life. We got into the design decisions behind the Playground and I came...

The best kids tech experiences don't happen by accident. They follow from someone designing carefully for a specific situation. In this episode of Parent Tech, I sit down with Nichole Rouillac, CEO of industrial design studio level and mom of two, to hear how she thinks about technology for her kids. We cover what she's actually doing and why. Nichole has worked with Microsoft, Logitech,...

In today’s episode of Parent Tech, we sit down with Kristen Kim, creator of the award-winning podcast Culture Kids, to explore how sound, storytelling, and imagination can transform the way children learn about the world. Kristen shares how immersive audio adventures help kids develop empathy, focus, and creativity, while also giving parents a meaningful alternative to screen time. From building s...

In this episode of Parent Tech, I sit down with Al Nowatzki, a generative AI QA lead, to discuss the impact of AI and AI companions on children and parenting. We also take a trip down memory lane, discussing Al's experience hosting a Star Wars podcast with his kids, which helped spark discussions about real-world issues through fiction.  We discuss AI companions among teens, with Al emphasizi...

In this episode of Parent Tech, I sit down with Ash Brandin, IG: TheGamerEducator, and the author of the upcoming book “Power On.” We discuss practical strategies for managing screen time, the importance of creating systems and rules, and the ways screens can be effectively integrated into family life.  Ash shares insights from their background as an educator, outlining the 'ABCs of Screen Ti...

In this episode of Parent Tech, I talk with Dr. Susan Walker, Professor Emeritus of Family and Social Science at the University of Minnesota and the author of a textbook on technology and the family. We cover the historical context of parenting and how today's technology fits into a much longer story. We explore how parenting is different today and the ways parents use technology. Dr. Walker...

Have you ever wondered how the apps your kids use are designed? Or wish they were designed better? In this episode we'll go inside Pok Pok, an Apple-award-winning kids app that's designed to promote calm play and exploration. This conversation with Pok Pok Founder and CEO Melissa Cash and Founder and Chief Creative Officer Esther Huybreghts covers screens and parenting, their design proc...