Brave Parenting

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...

In this episode, Kelly unfolds her research into the current Bible-based (Christian) streaming entertainment services for kids and families. She also gives parents a way to think biblically about consuming streaming entertainment. Streaming Services Reviewed: Minno YippeeTV PureFlix TweenXstream FaithLifeTV Faith Channel RedeemTV Up Faith & Family Scripture referenced: Philippians 4:19 2 Corin...

In today’s episode, we discuss intelligence and learning. Is AI going to take over education? If so, when and what are parents and students to do in the meantime? We consider AI homework help apps, learning amongst kids,  and what the AI leaders are saying about the future of education. Previous podcasts referenced: Ep. 138: ChatGPT & Education Ep. 139: Chatbots & Relationships Part...

As the 2024 Presidential election draws near, anxiety is at an all-time high. And not just for adults! Children, too, are absorbing the stress, rhetoric, and divisiveness they see in media and the adults in their lives. In this episode, Kelly reviews God’s sovereignty over nations and kings and how peace can be found in trusting God’s faithfulness throughout generations. This peace is...

In today’s episode, we consider the use of Bible apps during church worship services. Kelly and Chelsea survey the crowd at the Women in Apologetics conference about this topic, and they unpack the issue, looking at the benefits and detriments for ALL ages. Articles referenced: YouVersion Bible BlueLetter Bible Sexual Predator Uses YouVersion Bible App to Target Teen Girls in Church Youth Gr...

Today, we are unpacking the immanent and unhealthy social media culture of competition and comparison and the ‘Momfluencer’ movement. There is a growing norm of learning how to parent from so-called “experts” on social media. As always, Kelly & Chelsea evaluate this through the lens of Scripture. If we start with God’s word, how do we love our fellow parents in Ch...

In today’s episode, we examine whether Youth/Student Ministry Pastors should be friends with or follow their students on social media. We’ve been investigating this question, and we asked the attendees at the Women in Apologetics conference for their take on it. We biblically unpack the three most common reasons why Christians believe Youth Pastors should be friends/follow students. Ar...

Today, we are discussing the newly announced Instagram “Teen Accounts,” which will automatically restrict teens under 18 to a private account, offer more strongly filtered content, and prevent them from being DM’d unless they are already connected. Is this praiseworthy news?? We give our two cents. And we’re discussing the Toronto Zoo’s problem with patrons allowing t...

We’re so thrilled you’re here, WOULD YOU TAKE A MINUTE AND LEAVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW?? In today’s episode, Kelly discusses the U.S. Surgeon General’s most recent advisory about parental stress in America. Dr. Murthy presents it as a serious public health issue, but Kelly walks us through the stress of parenting through the lens of Scripture. Why are parents so stressed and w...

In today’s episode, we discuss the norm of listening to music all day long and through earbuds/airpods. Is there such a thing as too much music? How does music impact someone’s mood? What about shutting the world out through airpods – is that healthy? And most importantly, what does Scripture have to say about music, its purpose, and its function in our lives? **Brave Parenting w...

We have heard many parents refer to YouTube content, such as Ms. Rachel, as “early childhood education.” Parents tell us how much their babies and toddlers love watching Ms. Rachel (and shows like Cocomelon). In this episode, we address this common trend of infant and toddler screen time with what both science and the Bible have to say about it. Articles referenced: JAMA: Screen Time a...

In the final week of our apologetic (defense) on why phones should be banned in schools  (from the first bell to the last), we look at the justification that kids need phones because of “mass shootings” in schools. Kelly unpacks a greater threat that students face every day – one that gives far greater credence to school-wide phone bans. Articles referenced: California Joins Grow...

This week, we continue our apologetic (defense) on why phones should be banned in schools – not just during class instructional time, but from the first bell to the last bell! In part 2, Kelly provides a counterargument for the common defense made for keeping phones in the classroom, hallways, and cafeteria: “Students need to learn proper use.” Articles referenced: California Joi...

This week, we are laying out the case for banning phones in schools – not just during class instructional time, but bell-to-bell! Several states are now legislating policies requiring this, but not all parents (or students) are in full support. In part 1, Kelly lays out where the movement is headed and identifies the largest hindrance to school districts putting bans in place. Articles refer...

In this episode, Kelly talks about the U.S. Surgeon General’s opinion piece in the New York Times, calling for government warning labels for social media. Dr. Vivek Murthy points to the need for adolescents and parents to understand the risk, but this should be a warning label for all of society! Kelly expounds on 2 Cor. 6:14-17 as a call for Christians of all ages to reconsider their partne...

This week, we are discussing the recent New York Times article “ The Internet’s Final Frontier: Remote Amazon Tribes .” After the internet was introduced to the Indigenous people in September, the members of the tribe had to grapple with the same ills American parents have been plagued with for fifteen years. Their story provides an object lesson for Christian parents on the impo...