Episodes

Dr. Carrie Mackensen is a clinical psychologist, parent coach, and founder of Successful Parent. With 25 years of experience and two boys of her own, she blends neuroscience and attachment theory to help families set healthy tech boundaries. She shares why screens flood kids' brains with dopamine, what happened when her own son secretly played video games during class, and the first step overwhelmed parents should take today. Ways to stay connected with Dr. Carrie: https://successfulparent.com...

Juliette Blake, founder and CEO of Moxies, has been building for girls since she was 16. Now, as a millennial mom of three, she's created a safe-by-design social platform exclusively for tween girls ages 8 to 12. She shares why 60% of teen girls experience persistent sadness, what happens when girls use platforms not built for them, and how Moxies is offering a healthier entry point into digital life with no public profiles, no strangers, and built-in screen time boundaries. Learn more about Mo...

Large gatherings of hundreds of teens are popping up in cities across the country — organized almost entirely through social media — and they're raising serious concerns for parents and communities alike. In this episode, we break down what teen takeovers actually are, what's drawing kids to them, and how quickly they can turn dangerous. If your teen is on social media, this is one trend you can't afford to miss.

Kelly Stonelake spent nearly 15 years at Meta — rising to Director of Product Marketing and a senior role on Horizon Worlds — before becoming one of the most prominent whistleblowers in the fight for kids' online safety. She walked away from millions in unvested stock rather than sign an agreement protecting Meta from accountability, and has since testified before the FTC, the Washington State Senate, and been a key voice throughout the civil trials where Meta and YouTube were just found guilty ...

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has made child safety a cornerstone of his work—from creating the state's first Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, which has rescued over 200 children, to launching investigations into platforms like Roblox for child exploitation. He shares what prompted the Roblox investigation, details from a recent conviction involving grooming on Snapchat, and what parents need to know about how predators are using online platforms to target kids. Stories, resources, and...

Bark's 2025 Annual Report analyzed a record 11.1 billion online activities—and the findings reveal a troubling paradox. While predator alerts in monitored spaces dropped 60%, national sextortion cases are surging. The danger hasn't disappeared; it's just moved where parents can't see it. We break down the biggest risks facing kids today, from the 650% spike in disordered eating content among tweens to why predators are migrating to shadow spaces—and what parents can do about it. Check our Bark'...

Dr. Jean Twenge, psychologist and author of 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World, has spent decades studying how technology is reshaping childhood. Her research provided some of the earliest evidence linking smartphones and social media to rising rates of teen depression and anxiety. She shares the 'aha' moments from her work, what the data really shows about teens and tech, and the rules every parent should follow in a high-tech world. Visit Dr. Twenge's website to find her books, di...

Melissa McKay, president of the Digital Childhood Institute, made headlines when her viral post forced Google to reverse its policy of emailing kids instructions to remove parental controls at age 13. She shares the story behind that win, why Roblox is doing the same thing, and what parents need to know about protecting their kids when tech companies prioritize profit over safety. Learn more about the Digital Childhood Institute and connect with Melissa: - https://www.digitalchildhoodinstitute...

Selma Blair gets candid about parenting her 14-year-old son in an always-connected world. She shares how she's navigated tech and social media as both a public figure and a mom, the conversations she's had about online safety, and her advice for parents trying to find balance in a digital age.

Paul Raffile is a cybercrime expert and online safety advocate who's been on the front lines of catching sextortion scammers and exposing platform failures. He shares what parents need to know about sextortion, which apps pose the biggest risks, and the shocking reality of what social media companies allow to happen on their platforms. Connect with Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raffile/ Resources, stories, and other things mentioned in this episode: - Paul's experience with Me...

Dr. Nidhi Gupta — physician, author of Calm the Noise, and founder of the Phreedom Foundation — breaks down how tech is impacting our health and what families can do to take back control. She shares the science behind constant notifications, her 'aha' moment that led to writing the book, and the three rules every family should start with tonight. Learn more about Dr. Gupta and the Phreedom Foundation on her website, and order your copy of Calm the Noise: https://reconnect.expert/ https://info....

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 Instagram TikTok Resources mentioned in this episode: How to Set Up Roblox Parental Controls Roblox App Review The Top 5 Hidden Dangers of...

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://www.kimgravelshow.com/ - "Delay is the way" with Protect Young Eyes: https://www.protectyoungeyes.c...

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 Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation Kids Online Safety Act All things SLANG: Algospeak 6-7 trend Bark's slang g...

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.bark.us/i-said-no - https://info.bark.us/body-safety-children Connect with Kimberly on Instagram: ...

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 empower kids in the digital age.

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/ - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tessastuckeylpc - Twitter https://www.twitter.com/themomtherapist - Lin...

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 a Tech World: https://www.facebook.com/groups/119842088645840

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: Instagram YouTube Resources mentioned in this episode: Childhood 2.0 Documentary Judi's House (for those local to Denver) Connect with Rick via email: richardl.pad...