Parenting in a Tech World

Ben Gillenwater — aka The Family IT Guy — brings 30 years of cybersecurity expertise to the parenting table. He shares how his background shaped the way he protects his own kid online, what parents can expect from his online community, and the one change that can make the biggest difference in your family's digital safety. Connect with Ben: - On his website: https://www.familyitguy.com/ - Instagra...

Heather Dubrow, star of The Real Housewives of Orange County and mom of four, joins us to share her real-life wisdom on raising kids in the digital age. From screen time struggles to teaching inclusivity, this episode is full of honesty, perspective, and a little Housewives flair.

Parenting a child with mental health challenges can feel isolating, but support is out there. Casie Fiorello from Other Parents Like Me shares her experiences, practical resources, and advice to help families navigate these challenges with confidence and community. Learn more about Other Parents Like Me: https://oplm.com/

Kim Gravel gets real about parenting in an always-connected world. She shares how she talks to her kids about online safety, balances social media and privacy, and uses tools like Bark to help protect her family. Resources in this episode: - Check out Kim's website: https://www.kimgravel.com/ - Connect with Kim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimgravel/ - Tune into Kim's podcast: https://w...

Kids and tech collided in big ways in 2025 — from viral slang taking over classrooms to major online safety laws reshaping the internet. We’re breaking down the moments that mattered and what they mean for your kid’s digital world. Discussed in this episode: - Australia's social media ban and how our friends from Parenting in a Tech World, the Facebook group, are feeling about it: --- https://rais...

Sexual abuse prevention expert and safety educator Kimberly King shares how parents can have meaningful conversations about body safety and boundaries with their kids. We also dive into her resources for families and the podcast she created to empower moms and protect kids. Make sure to get your own copies of I Said No! and Body Safety for Young Children: Empowering Caring Adults. - https://info.b...

Jenny McCarthy is a New York Times bestselling author, actress, and television host known for her humor, honesty, and passion for family life. A proud mom herself, she’s been a longtime advocate for open conversations about parenting, health, and the challenges of raising kids today. In this episode, Jenny joins us to talk about technology, connection, and what it really means to protect and empow...

What if online safety lessons actually worked? In this episode, you’ll go behind the scenes with Bark’s Connected Communities team to see how they’re helping 4th- and 5th-graders build healthy tech habits that last. Learn more about the Connected Communities program and bring it to your school! https://www.bark.us/learn/barks-connected-communities/

Before your kids power on their new holiday devices, set them up for safe, responsible use. We’ll cover the simple steps and settings that make a big difference. Join the Parenting in a Tech World Facebook group to connect with other like-minded parents: https://info.bark.us/join-pitw Check out all of our tech guides when setting up new tech for your kids! https://www.bark.us/tech-guides/

Licensed counselor and mom Tessa Stuckey joins us to share a grounded, compassionate look at what it really takes to raise emotionally healthy kids in a hyper-connected world. From how screens affect mental health to having hard conversations, we discuss different ways parents can build digital resilience in kids. Connect with Tessa: - Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themomtherapist/ - Faceboo...

Teens are getting creative when it comes to hiding content on their phones. From vault apps that look like calculators to hidden photo folders, it can be hard for parents to know what's really going on. In this episode, we break down why kids use them and how parents can stay informed without breaking trust. Learn more about vault apps: https://www.bark.us/blog/find-hidden-apps/ Join Parenting in...

This episode was recorded live at Bark Week at the Cliff House in Maine with our CEO, Brian Bason, and CTO, Brandon Hilkert. We looked back on Bark’s journey from a small startup to where we are today, helping protect millions of families across the country. Learn more about Bark: https://www.bark.us/

After losing their son and brother, Jack, to suicide, John and Rick Padilla transformed heartbreak into advocacy. In this moving conversation, they share how their work — from Mountain in My Mind to legal reform — is creating hope and healing for families everywhere. Learn more about Mountain in My Mind and follow John on social: https://www.mountaininmymind.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mountain...

Raising kids in the digital age isn’t easy, but Sage Haven is making it a little kinder. Founders (and sisters!) Anne and Kate share how their messaging app helps parents guide healthy online conversations while keeping kids safer. Sage Haven is the first messaging app designed to address online bullying head-on with AI moderation that is designed to block harmful messages before they are sent and...

Cindy Robinson is an author, researcher, and neurodivergent life coach who works with individuals with ADHD. In this episode, she shares her perspective on parenting, technology, and what it means to raise kids in today’s world. Learn more about Cindy on her website and give her a follow on Instagram! https://www.cindyrobinsonllc.com/ https://www.instagram.com/cindyrobinsonllc Don't forget to chec...

Killer Mike shares his perspective on parenting in today’s world, offering advice for helping kids navigate both online and offline life. Listen in as he reflects on timeless approaches to raising confident, resilient children.

Today, we chat with Joshua and Brock from Parent ProTech, who equip parents and educators with expert-backed tools to keep kids safe online. They share practical tips on online safety, AI, and how families can actively guide their child’s digital journey. Learn more about Parent ProTech and connect with the team: https://www.parentprotech.com/ https://www.instagram.com/parentprotech https://www.yo...

Today’s guest is Chris McKenna of Protect Young Eyes, a nonprofit dedicated to creating safer digital spaces for kids. Chris, a longtime friend and partner of Bark, shares insights on online risks and strategies families can use to keep kids safer in the digital world. Links discussed in this episode: Learn more about https://www.protectyoungeyes.com/ Check out the https://www.childhood2movie.com/...

Kristi Wells and Brittany Dunn of the Safe House Project share the urgent realities of child sex trafficking and how families and communities can support children’s safety. Discussed in this episode: Learn more about the Safe House Project: https://www.safehouseproject.org/ Download the Simply Report app on the App Store and Google Play: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simply-report/id6741466809 htt...

Sarah Gardner, founder of the Heat Initiative, joins us to discuss how her team is holding Big Tech accountable for child safety failures. From calling out Apple and Meta to mobilizing public pressure, she shares the wins, challenges, and how we can all help bring the heat. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about the Heat Initiative: https://heatinitiative.org/ Donate: https://heatinitiative.o...

Kris Perry, executive director of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development, joins us to discuss how technology is shaping childhood, and what parents, educators, and policymakers can do to support healthy development. Learn more about Children and Screens: https://www.childrenandscreens.org/ Resources mentioned in this episode: International Scientific Congress Monthl...

ChatGPT is showing up in classrooms, homework, and even kids’ casual conversations — but how safe is it? In this episode, Titania and Sam put AI to the test, asking hard-hitting questions to see exactly what kids might encounter. The results? Eye-opening, surprising, and a must-hear for any parent navigating the digital world.

Toni Collier joins us to talk about parenting through the hard stuff in life. Learn how embracing your family's mess can actually help build stronger, more resilient kids.  Connect with Toni: https://www.tonijcollier.com/ https://www.instagram.com/tonijcollier/ https://www.facebook.com/colliertoni https://youtube.com/@tonijcollier Order 'Broken Crayons Still Color': https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/...

We're joined by Dr. Zona to learn how parents can get ahead of addiction by starting honest, informed conversations early. From what’s changed since we were kids to practical ways to talk with yours, this is a conversation every caregiver needs to hear. Follow Dr. Zona: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/addictiontokdok/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@addictiontokdok Resources discussed in this...

Learn from a former social media industry exec turned family advocate how to help keep your kids safe in an age of ever-present social media. Connect with Nicki and learn more about Scrolling2Death: https://www.scrolling2death.com/ https://www.instagram.com/scrolling2death/ https://www.youtube.com/@Scrolling2Death https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickipetrossi/ S2D Foundation: https://www.scrolling2dea...