Brave Parenting

In this Brave Briefing, Kelly addresses the ever-present plea of kids to have their own phone to connect with friends. Is the only real option to give them a smartphone? We do not believe so and therefore present the simple and powerful alternative: The Home Smartphone. Resources referenced: Pinwheel Kid-Safe Phones Corded handset for Smartphone Articles referenced: How Parenting and Self-Control...

In this Brave Briefing, Kelly asks whether we are loving our neighbor or ourselves in response to an article published by The Telegraph in the UK lamenting how smartphones have caused us to lose all sense of common decency. The reference is to selfies taken with Pope Francis’ open casket at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Not only does the article’s author have a valid point, but S...

The popular Netflix series Adolescence can easily bring about fear for the future of today’s children because of the content of the internet. The show is generating a lot of conversation about misogyny and the “manosphere,” but few are evaluating it biblically. In this episode, Kelly and Brave Parenting Ambassador Mandy consider and discuss what Scripture offers in understanding...

The popular Netflix series Adolescence is raising many questions about the online content kids consume. Media and technology are often blamed for stealing kids’ childhood, but in light of this show, we have to consider why parents willingly hand their child over to isolation behind a screen. In this Brave Briefing, Kelly considers the role of the parents in the show  Adolescence.  Rather tha...

Today, Kelly and Ryan give a synopsis and review of the new Minecraft movie, which just opened in theaters nationwide. They discuss the overall plot, the quality of the language and content, and what type of conversations you can have with your kids after seeing the movie. Be sure to check out our new Brave Parenting Guide to Minecraft (the game – not the movie)! Scripture referenced: Genesi...

Today, Kelly responds to a series of articles published by  The Stylist asking the question, “What is it like to be a girl in 2025?” Are we, as a society, failing girls? If the picture they paint is true, how can it be remedied? What is the parent’s role in all of this? Articles referenced: Is 2025 The Scariest Time to Be a Girl? Nowhere Feels Safe – What its Like to be a G...

TikTok wants you to believe they care deeply about your kids’ safety and well-being. Last week, they announced new parental controls allowing parents to see who their kids are following and who follows them. Additionally, they will begin “Wind down” mode for users under 16 years old. Are any of these ground-breaking? No. Could they do so much more? Absolutely. In this episode, Ke...

Tablets are taking over toddlerhood. Common Sense Media’s 2025 Consensus on media usage by kids zero to eight years old reveals staggering numbers of the youngest and most vulnerable of society on internet-connected devices for upwards of 3.5 hours per day on average. Two-thirds of parents admit to allowing the screen to “get stuff done,” but is anyone considering anything other...

Marvel Rivals is the latest gaming craze, drawing 40 million players with its fast-paced action and free-to-play model. But behind the fun lies a culture-shaping platform that hooks kids with addictive design, in-game purchases, and exposure to toxic online interactions. In this Brave Briefing episode, Kelly unpacks what parents need to know—how the game influences kids’ social identity, gam...

Online video games share quite a few features with social media platforms. As lawmakers push to create legal restrictions surrounding social media, we wonder why there is no conversation about online video game restrictions. Are they that different? If online video games share some of the same concerning features, shouldn’t they share the same restrictions? Articles referenced: Roblox is sti...

Today, we’re reviewing three research reports about TEENS and SOCIAL MEDIA that prove parents need to be brave! By looking at all three together, we can get a clear picture of what is happening with teens. The growing amount of time spent on a screen and the growing mental health issues among young people is partially a result of parents unwilling or uncaring enough to enforce social media a...

Education is suffering under the weight of phones in schools. While schools worldwide are banning phones to improve learning and mental health, many parents are fighting to keep 24/7 access to their kids. Why? Because modern parenting has shifted from stewardship to ownership —and it is harming our children in massive ways. Articles referenced: Do Yondr Pouches Really Work? JAMA: Adolescent Smartp...

Meditation and prayer apps have increased in quantity and popularity, but should Christians use them? Promising peace, focus, sleep, emotional regulation, and spiritual growth, these apps make great boasts that must be evaluated before downloading. In this episode, Kelly & Chelsea unpack how the algorithms, the behavior modification tactics, the quantification of prayers, and the promoted stre...

Everyone wants an easy and convenient parenting hack to teach reading, but what is that hack? What gives parents and kids a win in reading? Educational apps? Reading to them? Is it really even a question we have to ask? Articles referenced: American Children’s Reading Skills Reach New Lows These Toys Actually Get My Kindergartner Excited About Learning to Read Testing Theories of Why: 4 Keys...

Location tracking is now part of the written code for effective modern parenting. In this episode, Kelly examines the widespread technological convenience of parents tracking their kid’s location. Parents argue it’s about keeping kids safe – but does it actually? Kelly unpacks the common reasons why parents insist on location tracking and how Scripture informs and instructs us di...

On the brink of the TikTok ban, TikTok Influencers admit to their own lies. Will their professed dishonesty in attracting views change their influence on people? This should awaken parents to the lies that kids are building their lives on when they believe the influencer narrative. Scripture referenced: Matthew 7: 24-27 John 14:6 Get the newly published Managing Media Creating Character Study Guid...

Today, Kelly discusses the recent Supreme Court hearing of oral arguments in the Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton  case. It’s a big deal for parents because, if upheld, it will set a precedent for the protection of children from accessing online pornography under the age of 18. Nevertheless, while the law gets settled what should parents be doing in the meantime? Referenced articles: Brave Pa...

The Brave Briefing is a weekly technology and cultural update for Christian parents. This week, we discuss Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement that fact-checkers and complex algorithms will no longer censor Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram to filter content.  What does this mean for parents and teens? Also, with TikTok facing a potential ban in the U.S., we look at new evidence of the harms...

This episode evaluates the Top 20 Free Apps on Apple’s App Store in 2024. We consider the contrast between apps that serve as a tool and apps that aim to manipulate our behaviors and essentially addict us. We look at the idol maker in Isaiah 44 in order to ask ourselves, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” Articles referenced: Apple’s Top Free Apps in 2024 Scripture...

Every year, Apple releases its list of the top free apps. Today, we are discussing the ten top gaming apps in the U.S. in 2024. What kind of games are these and should your kids be playing them? Kelly provides alternative, real-life games that can (and should) be played instead. Articles referenced: Apple reveals 2024’s most downloaded apps and games   Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the NE...

Kelly & Chelsea recap the year 2024 for Brave Parenting and for the Media and Technology trends that shaped the year. Everything from AI to iPad Kids and how they will impact 2025. Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the NEWLY UPDATED book : Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated) Teach your kids how to have a biblical worldview with Foundation Worldview! Use PROMO CODE: BRAVE t...

Smartphones and all their apps are not neutral. To build healthy smartphone habits (something every parent – but really every human – must strive for), we must add a little friction to our phones. Friction helps make one-tap purchasing a little harder and mindlessly scrolling time-limited. In this episode, Kelly presents 14 ways to add friction to our phones so we can be more present,...

Would you allow your 13-year-old to order Uber rides to take them to their friend’s house when you can’t drive them? Uber now offers Teen Accounts to help teens get where they need to be (and keep them fed with seamlessly connected Uber Eats). This can feel like an allowance that fosters independence in a world encouraging parents to stop sheltering and hovering over teens. But is this...

In this episode, Kelly is joined by Pastor Chris Lynch to discuss how to think biblically about entertainment. Starting with a broad definition of entertainment and seeing it as a gift from God gives a foundation parents can build upon when deciding how much and what kind of entertainment to allow. Chris offers a terrific depth of insight and practical next steps to take and apply today. Articles...

We continue to examine Bible-based entertainment for kids by examining popular apps that promote biblical learning and fun. As always, we consider these apps and Bible-based play through the lens of Scripture and the biblical worldview. We seek to answer the question, ” Isn’t Bible-based content better than everything else?” Articles referenced: The Ultimate List of Bible Apps by...