The Screen Guardians Podcast

What should you do if your child is targeted online? KBI Senior Special Agent Andy Herrera shares what every parent needs to know about sextortion, online grooming, and keeping kids safe online.

On this episode of The Screen Guardians Podcast, founder Katie Longhauser sits down with Andy Herrera of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) Northeast Child Victims Unit. Andy investigates internet crimes against children across 35 Kansas counties, and he has recorded online safety videos for The Screen Guardians school program and Parent Portal.

Andy shares what law enforcement is seeing right now, including sextortion...

Social Media & Teen Girls: How We Wait and Prepare

When should your daughter get social media, and what does she need to know before she does? Krista Boan, co-founder of Screen Sanity, founder of Road to Social, and mom of four, joins Katie to talk about delaying social media for girls without damaging the relationship.

Krista's approach is simple: take her hand instead of slapping her wrist. Girls don't need more convincing that social media can hurt. They need someone to teach them why.

In this episode:

Your Attention Please is a new documentary about social media, AI, and the attention economy, now available on Apple TV and other digital platforms. In this episode, director Sara Robin, parent advocate Kristin Bride, and ReThink inventor Trisha Prabhu join Katie Longhauser to talk about social media addiction, cyberbullying, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), and what parents can do to protect kids online.

What would the internet look like if it were designed for people instead of profit?

Sara shares what pushed her to make the film. After a decade of criticizing social media...

The Cost of Free: From Digital Safety to Platform Incentives

Most parents think the problem is screen time or willpower. But what if the real issue is something else entirely? In this episode, Katie talks with Ben Gillenwater (Family IT Guy, former NSA cybersecurity expert) about why understanding platform incentives changes everything about digital wellness, parental controls, and raising digitally healthy kids.

They explore: why free platforms aren't free, how AI is entering schools without parent consent, what makes early-adopter technology dangerous for kids' developing brains, and the practices...

Your child's school hands them an internet-connected device for seven hours a day. Do you know what's on it, who chose the software, or what it's collecting?

Allie Terry and Liz Jenkins didn't either. They were two moms living across the street from each other in Utah, asking questions about their kids' school Chromebooks that were easy to dismiss one at a time. Those questions became an Instagram account, then a working relationship with state legislators, and then actual legislation that passed and takes effect next fall.

In this episode, Katie talks with...

When The Screen Guardians first walked into Syracuse, Kansas, not everyone clapped. Some parents wondered if this was one more program built to make them feel guilty about screens. One mom assumed we were there to collect data on her kids.

Today, those same parents are among the strongest voices for digital wellness in their community.

In this special episode, host Katie sits down with Ronna, Amy, and Taryn — three Syracuse moms who came in with their arms crossed and stayed to ask hard questions. They talk openly about the guilt they carried, the brain sc...

A 10-year-old researched screen time for her school project, changed her own habits, and has a hopeful message for parents: it's not too late.

What happens when a kid becomes the screen time expert in her own house?

In this episode of The Screen Guardians Podcast, host Katie sits down with Ali, a fifth grader who chose kids and screen time as her year-long school exhibition project — "Logged In and Tuned Out: The True Impact of Screen Time" — and her dad, Corey. After reading Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation, Ali deleted apps, rethought her own habi...

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness and isolation a national epidemic — and teenagers are at the center of it. They're the most digitally connected generation in history, and one of the loneliest.

In this episode, host Katie sits down with Ryan Bevins and JP Claxton, the founder and co-founder of Fight Club — a confidential, peer-support organization for teens built on one powerful idea: no one fights alone.

Ryan and JP share how a single group of struggling boys grew into a movement, why the whole model works precisely because "adults get out of the...

Practical, no-fear ways to plan a low-screen, high-connection summer.

Summer screen time has a way of creeping up the moment the school-day structure disappears. In Episode 34 of the Screen Guardians Podcast, Katie sits down with mom of three and former labor-and-delivery nurse Janelle Campbell for an honest conversation about planning an intentional summer — without banning screens or scheduling every second.

They get into why device use spikes over the break, how to decide what you actually want summer to feel like, and the small habits that keep the whole house calmer.

In this ep...

A rural Kansas district shares what changed in classrooms and homes after going K–12 with The Screen Guardians.

What happens when an entire school district stops talking about screen time and actually does something about it?

In this episode, we hand the mic to the people who went first. Recorded live on May 13, 2026 before the Kansas Department of Education State Board, you'll hear Superintendent Paul Larkin, Elementary Principal Liz Plunkett, and parent Taryn Parks from USD 494 in Syracuse, Kansas share exactly what happened when their community brought The Screen Guardians program into every grade, K–12.

If you've watched your kid trudge out of school carrying a Chromebook and felt a quiet knot in your stomach — you're not imagining it. Edtech in schools rolled out faster than the brain science behind it, and now the data is catching up.

In this episode, Katie Longhauser walks through how we got here, what's actually happening in kids' developing brains, and the clear next steps families and schools can take without fear, shame, or burning the whole system down.

In this episode:

We talk a lot about what screens are doing to kids in the classroom. But here's a question we don't ask enough: who is teaching the teachers?

In this episode, host Katie sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Walter — an assistant professor at Rockhurst University who prepares the next generation of educators, a former English teacher, a mom of two elementary-age kids, and the academic vice president of her children's PTA. She lives this conversation from every angle: the lecture hall, the classroom, the dinner table, and the school board meeting.

Together they unpack what teacher pr...

Why prevention has to come before the message ever hits your kid's phone.

What if prevention became the first layer of protection — not the second? In this solo episode of The Screen Guardians Podcast, founder Katie Longhauser walks through why we're so good at responding to harm but not as intentional about preventing it, and what that means for parents trying to figure out how to protect kids online in 2026.

From a Sunday-morning church donation to the World Cup coming to Kansas City, Katie unpacks how the starting line of harm has moved — and why onli...

You already know the screens are an issue. You feel it in the eye rolls. You feel it in the bedtime battles. You feel it in your own thumb as you scroll one more time before sleep. Raising healthy kids in a digital age isn't about removing devices — it's about raising kids who actually know how to use them. In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Shreya Hessler returns to The Screen Guardians podcast with practical, neuroscience-backed strategies you can start tonight — without yelling, shaming, or starting World War III at the dinner table.

You...

If you've ever found yourself yelling "put the phone down!" while simultaneously scrolling your own device, you're not alone. Intentional parenting in a digital world is one of the biggest challenges families face today — and most of us are figuring it out as we go.

On a recent episode of The Screen Guardians Podcast, host Katie Longhauser sat down with Kori Bloom — founder of Conscious Not Crazy, author of The Business of Parenting, and a mom of two teenagers — to talk about what it really looks like to lead yourself first as a parent, co...

If you've ever handed your toddler a tablet just to get through dinner — or noticed your teenager retreating to their room for hours on end, scrolling and silent — you're not alone. Most of us feel it. Something is off. But connecting the dots between our kids' screens and their emotional wellbeing can feel murky, even overwhelming.

In Episode 27 of the Screen Guardians Podcast, host Katie sits down with Tessa Stuckey — licensed family therapist, parenting coach, author of For the Sake of Our Youth, and founder of nonprofit Project Look Up — to talk about the social media effects on teen...

Parenting kids in the digital age is incredibly hard. We are the first generation to raise children in the most digitally saturated environment in human history. With teens averaging more than seven hours of recreational screen use per day, many parents worry about sleep disruption, anxiety, and attention fragmentation. You might be wondering how to protect your kids without completely isolating them. The good news is that you do not have to figure it out alone.

Kids Digital Health Hub and Screen Guardians have officially launched our Parent Portal. In this guide, we will show you how t...

In an era where our lives are intertwined with screens, the concept of a digital detox has emerged as both a necessity and a revelation.

Have you ever wondered how stepping away from your devices might reshape your emotional landscape? This is the journey that students at Loyola University embarked on, guided by the insightful Dr. Shreya Hessler.

Her groundbreaking course, "Digital Detox: Doing Nothing and Doing Well," challenges the status quo, offering students a chance to reconnect with themselves and their peers in meaningful ways.

Join us as we explore how this...

An in-depth conversation with a veteran superintendent on why digital safety isn't optional—and how a rural Kansas district is leading by example.

When I first sat down with Paul Larkin, superintendent of Syracuse USD 494 in Western Kansas, I wasn't expecting a conversation that would stay with me for days.

There was no script. No sweeping rhetoric. Just truth—clear, steady, and hard-won.

Paul has served in public education for more than 30 years—as a teacher, coach, principal, and now as superintendent for nearly a decade. He's seen technology arrive and evolve...

In a world where likes and comments feel like lifelines, where digital conversations unfold faster than emotions can catch up, our kids are navigating a reality we never had to. If you've ever wondered why your child seems more anxious than you were at their age—or why they retreat behind a screen when the world feels too much—you're not alone.   We recently sat down with licensed professional counselor Morgan Lee for an honest conversation about what anxiety looks like in today's youth, how technology is part of the picture, and what parents can do to help. This episdode is gr...

I want to start with a story. Not one from my childhood—but from today.

Last week, I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with a group of parents, educators, and advocates at the Kansas State Capitol. It wasn't a polished, pretty press moment. It was real and gritty—honest words in wood-paneled hearing rooms, the air thick with both urgency and hope. In front of lawmakers, we made the case for something simple, but increasingly rare: classroom spaces where kids can learn, connect, and grow without the constant hum of a phone in their pocket.

That's the heart of S...

In one of the most grounded and deeply human conversations we've had the honor to be part of, Kevin and I sat down with Dr. Currie Myers—America's Criminologist—for an episode that reached well beyond crime statistics and research papers.

It reached into the heart of why we do this work.

Because behind every warning about online risk, behind every school training or digital wellness tool we design, there are stories. Family stories. Police reports that start with a parent's voice cracking on the phone. Classroom moments when a ch...

In recent years, the conversation around reducing screen time in schools has moved from quiet concern to active policy change. Educators, parents, and mental health professionals are paying closer attention to how constant tech use impacts student focus, emotional regulation, and classroom engagement.

At the heart of this shift is a deeper question: Are our current digital practices truly supporting learning—or simply becoming the norm without reflection? At McPherson Middle School in Kansas, one principal decided to pause, reassess, and lead with intention. What followed was a bold reimagining of how—and when—technology should serve students...

This episode explores the powerful connection between digital learning and brain development, featuring insights from neurotherapist Susan Dunaway. From screen-based reading to educational apps in early childhood, we examine how technology in schools may be reshaping cognitive growth, memory, and emotional regulation in ways parents and educators can no longer afford to overlook.

When a kindergartener walks into their classroom, the space is built for them. The chairs are small. The crayons are thick. The books are softbound and full of pictures. Slowly, over the years, their world expands—more words, more tools, more responsibility as their brains and bodies are ready for it.

But when it comes to technology in schools, something is off.

We're handing our youngest students open access to the digital equivalent of an AP chemistry lab—filled with volatile content, complex systems, and doors that lead to strangers, exploitation, and surveillance. And unlike the...

I've always believed in the power of a story—especially when it comes from someone who's lived every moment of it.

That's why I invited Ben Tracy onto the Screen Guardians platform. Ben isn't just a digital safety advocate.

He's a man who ran across the United States—3,100 miles, 125 days, 120 marathons—all for one purpose: to draw attention to the ways digital harm is impacting our kids.

And he isn't here for buzzwords or vague warnings. He's here to talk about what's real—about the lives we...

This heartfelt episode explores how school-issued devices can quietly expose children to harmful content—and what parents can do to stay informed and involved.

Sometimes parenting in a digital world feels less like walking a line—and more like walking a tightrope. No net. No guarantees. Just hope that we've done enough to protect them.

Recently, I sat in conversation with two deeply thoughtful parents and my co-host, Detective Kevin Cronister—someone who has spent the last decade uncovering hidden threats to children online. We gathered around a table (virtually), not because we had answers, but be...

There are conversations I wish we didn't have to have.

But here we are—because ignoring hard truths doesn't protect our children. And pretending the digital world isn't changing at an alarming pace only leaves families more vulnerable. That's why we created the Screen Guardians podcast. It's not just information we're sharing—it's a lifeline for parents, educators, and anyone desperate to understand what's really happening behind screens.

In a recent episode, I sat down with Kevin Cronister—ICAC lead detective and father of five—to talk about something no one w...

There are some conversations that feel too big to begin.

Talking about the digital world and our kids—what they're exposed to, what they're carrying, how their brains and hearts are shaped by screens—that's one of those conversations. It's big. It's overwhelming. And for parents and educators alike, it can feel like we're already behind.

But today, I want to offer you a different story. A slower, steadier one. A story about ordinary people doing sacred work in their homes, schools, and churches…one conversation at a time.

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There are moments in parenting when something small nudges at your attention—and then, without warning, that "small" thing becomes a defining shift. That's what happened to Gretchen Shanahan in 2018.

She remembers it clearly—the way the questions started stacking up in her mind. Why are my kindergartners using iPads during indoor recess? How much screen time are they actually getting during the school day? Who's counting?

At the time, she didn't label herself a digital wellness advocate or a trailblazer.
She was simply a mom asking questions.

What happens when protecting children takes a back seat to bureaucracy, miscommunication, or worse—inaction?

In one of the most emotionally charged and urgent episodes of the Screen Guardians Podcast, host Katie Longhauser and co-host Detective Kevin Cronister dive deep into a real-life case that shocked a local school community and ignited a movement for legislative change.

In February 2024, a shocking incident occurred at Blue River Elementary School in the Blue Valley School District of Kansas. A registered sex offender, convicted of possessing hundreds of hours of child sexual abuse material...

We've all heard the warnings about screen time and social media overuse, but what actually happens when students step away from it completely? At Screen Guardians, we recently sat down with Giuliana, a recent graduate from Faustina Academy, for a raw and insightful conversation about growing up without social media during high school—and how it shaped her confidence, friendships, and mental health.

Her story is a powerful reminder of what's possible when schools—alongside families—prioritize social media safety for kids.

👉 Stay tuned for more real stories and strategies on Screen Guardi...

In this powerful episode of the Screen Guardians Podcast, host Katie Longhauser sits down with Principal Christina Mehaffey of Faustina Academy—a leader courageous enough to ask the hard questions about tech, culture, and the emotional well-being of kids. What followed was a school-wide transformation that not only reshaped student behavior, but rewired an entire community's mindset on how to raise children in a digital world.

If you're a parent, educator, or community leader wondering "Is this just how it is now?"—this story will show you it doesn't have to be.

In today's always-connected world, navigating teen mental health and digital safety has never been more urgent—or more complex. As smartphones replace face-to-face conversations and social media becomes a primary social arena, our children are being shaped by experiences that we, as parents, never encountered growing up.

Behind every screen is a young person trying to belong, express, and cope—and sometimes, that digital world can become overwhelmingly dark.

This powerful story from educator and mother Ellen Riley reveals the raw reality of what can happen when online missteps meet real-world consequences—and why grace, educati...

In our latest heartfelt episode of Screen Guardians Podcast, we stepped away from headlines and stats to center on something more personal — the story behind one of the voices in this mission to protect children.

Meet Kevin Cronister: a SWAT-trained detective, a forensic psychology expert, a martial artist, and, most importantly, a devoted father and champion for kids.

In a deeply emotional conversation with co-host Katie Longhauser, Kevin shared the roots of his vocation, what drives him to investigate Internet crimes against children, and how fatherhood has shaped both his personal and...

A convicted sex offender attended an elementary school dance—unannounced to parents. Find out what happened and how to protect your child from this failure.

In this hard-hitting episode of Screen Guardians Podcast, Katie and Kevin uncover a deeply disturbing incident that took place at an elementary school dance in the Blue Valley School District in Kansas.

A convicted sex offender—released after serving 8 years for possession of child sexual abuse material—was allowed to attend a school event with zero warning to parents. He was even seen filming students at the event.

Kevin, a chi...

Parenting in the digital age is complicated—messy, emotionally intense, often uncertain, and more than ever, essential. In an eye-opening episode of the Screen Guardians podcast, host Katie speaks with her long-time friend, businesswoman, and devoted mother Jenny Taylor, who shares a deeply personal, challenging, and ultimately redemptive story about her family's experience with tween cyberbullying.

This isn't just a cautionary tale; it's a call to action. One that challenges all caregivers to stay informed, stay present, and stay connected as they raise kids in today's tech-driven world.

In a world that's increasingly dominated by screens, social media, and digital distractions, our children are growing up facing challenges that didn't exist just a generation ago. At the Kids Digital Health Hub, we're committed to helping families understand these challenges — and most importantly — how to protect and support children as they grow up in a digital world.

In a recent episode of the Screen Guardians podcast, host Katie sat down with Kat Kaplan, a school counselor working primarily with fifth through eighth-grade students, to dig deep into the effects of digital exposure on childre...

Pornography and sex trafficking have a deeper link than many parents realize. With children encountering pornography as early as 10 years old, their vulnerability to online grooming and exploitation increases. This episode will uncover why parents need to be vigilant about internet safety for kids and practical steps you can take today.

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In today's hyper-connected world, children have access to the internet at their fingertips—but with this access comes invisible risks that many parents are unprepared for. One of the most alarming issues in our digital age is the link between pornography an...

In a world where our children live increasingly online, predators are finding terrifyingly sophisticated ways to exploit them. One of the most alarming threats today is sextortion—a growing cybercrime that preys on young people's trust and vulnerability, often with devastating consequences.

Imagine this: an innocent teenager unknowingly befriends someone online. What starts as lighthearted conversation escalates into something unimaginable—blackmail involving explicit photos or videos. This isn't just some distant horror story; it's happening to thousands of children worldwide, and the numbers are climbing.

In 2023 alone, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC...