Brave Parenting

Today, we continue in our series of testimonies from those who have boldly decided to quit social media. Joining Kelly on the podcast is Lucy Staples. Lucy’s story is representative of many teens we have spoken to, whose parents restricted their social media use throughout most of high school. When Lucy was finally able to get Instagram and TikTok, she experienced what only wisdom and maturity can provide: doubt that it was good for her and regret for the time she’d already lost inside the apps.

Parents do not want to miss this conversation. It will...

In this episode, Kelly talks with Pearson Segina, a 23-year-old student pastor who felt the conviction by God to not just stay off Instagram, but to delete his account altogether. The faith and obedience of this young man will so inspire parents!

Also in this episode:

Watch Pearson’s original sermon on “Radical Freedom.”

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Today, Kelly and Chelsea speak with Reagan Rose from Redeeming Productivity about what he has learned and, more importantly, what he has gained from quitting social media. As someone who leads an online ministry, it seems counterintuitive for him to quit. Still, his reflections after one year reveal the beauty of what is possible for anyone who commits to leaving the social media sites for good.

Check out Reagan’s original YouTube video reflecting on quitting social media and his theology of leisure.

Redeeming Productivity

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Today’s episode continues the review of Common Sense Media’s 2025 Consensus: Media Use by Kids 0-8. This week, we are reviewing the parents’ concerns regarding media use. Kelly unpacks the reasons given for allowing screen time at these young ages and how the concerns parents reported in the survey do not seem to match the allowances given.

This episode is so important as it highlights the deception so many parents of young kids are under. Parents of Gen Z must come alongside these younger parents and graciously warn them of the consequences of living a content-driven life.<...

Today, we review Common Sense Media’s 2025 Consensus Report on Kids’ Media Use in ages 0-8 where they reveal that society’s youngest are consuming 2.5 hours of media every day. We talked about this briefly in Tablets Are Taking Over Toddlerhood, but in this podcast, Kelly reviews several of the report’s key findings and examines them through the lens of scripture and parental discipleship.

Articles referenced:

Common Sense Media 2025 Consensus: Media Use by Kids 0 to 8

Scripture referenced:

Matthew 11:28
Proverbs 22:6

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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 Mediates the Link between Social Media and Youth Mental Health
Common Sense Media Consensus: Media Use in Tweens & Teens

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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 Scripture also speaks clearly to the respect due to others and the command to love our neighbors.

Articles referenced:

Smartphones are Destroying Our Common Sense...

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 themes of Adolescence:

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 than brew over the toxic content available for kids to see, parents have the opportunity to respond with action. Doing something different, preventative, and brave is the only way to change the trajectory of mode...

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:

Genesis 3:17-19
Proverbs 22:6

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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 Girl in 2025.

Scripture Referenced:

Proverbs 31:25
1 Peter 3:4
1 Corinthians 6:18

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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, Kelly passionately reviews the latest with all things TikTok, including the impending deadline to be sold or banned in the U.S., the new parental controls, and how one university football coach took it upon himsel...

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 than convenience?  It seems parents want to outsource parenting just as they outsource many other tasks nowadays.

How should Christian parents think about the convenience of a digital babysitter?

Articles referenced:

Common Sense Media 2...

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, gaming habits, and motivation. Are video games just entertainment, or something more?

Articles referenced:

NTY: Censoring Games
Marvel Rivals Has Earned An Estimated $130 Million In Its First Month
Marvel Rivals Monetization Explained: Free-to-Play Mode...

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 still trying to convince lawmakers it’s not social media
Censoring Games

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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 and screen time restrictions. The parents who bravely do restrict have kids with far better outcomes.

Articles referenced:

Pew: Teens, Social Media, and Technology 2024
Gallup & IF...

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 Smartphone Use During School Hours

Scripture referenced:

Psalm 139:13,16
Ephesians 6:4

Get the newly published Managing Media Creating Character Study Guide & Workbook!

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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 streaks actually impact mental health, much less someone’s spiritual development.

Articles referenced:

What is Secular Meditation? A Guide to Mindfulness Without Spirituality
Biblical Meditation vs. Eastern Meditation
Christian Meditation: What practices are New Age and wh...

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 to Interpreting US Student Achievement Trends

Scripture referenced:

John 1:1

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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 differently. Does a child’s spiritual location matter more than their physical location?

Articles Referenced:

Safety and Surveillance Software Practices as a Parent in the Digital World
Some Parents Struggle to Stop Tracking Their Kid’ Every Move...

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

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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 Parenting Guide to VPNs
The Supreme Court Considers Most Important Online Child Protection Case in 20 Years

Referenced Scripture:

Ephesians 2:10

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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 of TikTok to children and offer ways to intentionally disconnect from the app now rather than wait to see if it gets banned.

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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 referenced:

Isaiah 44:12-23
Proverbs 14:12

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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

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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.

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Check out the Pinwheel phone – it’s our favorite not-as-smart kid-safe smartphone on the market.

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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, less distracted, and have time to pursue God’s purposes.

Need a written version of these ways to add friction? Check out the blog post.

Books referenced:

Managing Media Creating Charac...

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 really what teenage independence looks like? What are the bigger concerns that parents need to be aware of?

Articles referenced:

A Brief History of Teenagers

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 referenced:

Entertainment, the Bible, and Your Kids Part 1
Entertainment, the Bible and Your Kids Part 2

Resource referenced:

Growing Fathers

Scripture...

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 MinistrySpark
Children’s Ministry: From Entertainment to Biblical Teaching

Bible-Based Apps Reviewed:

Bible App for Kids
God for Kids
SunSchool
Guardians of Ancora
Greatest Journey
The Superboo...

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 Corinthians 12:10

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Teach your kids how to have a biblical worldview with Foundation Worldview!<...

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 1
Ep. 140: Chatbots & Relationships Part 2

Articles referenced:

Sam Altman says that if you’re afraid of AI taking your job, you should get good with AI
How ChatGPT Boss...

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 much needed—peace that is achieved with less media and more Scripture.

Download the PDF version of the three steps, along with Scripture references.

Articles referenced:

We asked...

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 Group
YouVersion Bible App Child Vulnerability Exposed

Other illuminating articles:

YouVersion Bible app hires former Facebook exec to fuel growth
When the Bible Turns In...

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 Christ and neighbors in light of the online comparison and parenting expertise culture?

Articles/Books referenced:

The New Parenting Gurus are the Mom Experts on Instagram
Social Media Said I Could Become the Perfect Mo...

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.

Articles referenced

Youth Ministry in America (2014)
How Do Youth Leaders Disciple in a Media-Formed Generation?

Scripture referenced

Matthew 11:29
Galatians 5:17-18 (MSG version, in particular)
2 Corinthians 6:14-18

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 the gorillas to have too much screen time.

Articles referenced:

Meta: Introducing Instagram Teen Accounts
Instagram Makes Teen Accounts Private As Pressure Mounts on the App to Protect Children
Instagram Launches “Teen Accounts” As Child Safety Scrutin...

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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 what can be done about it? Kelly has a few ideas.

And this episode has two surprise announcements!

Articles referenced:

Parental Stress is a Signif...

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 will be at the Women in Apologetics (WIA) Conference in Nashville, TN, Sept 13-14, and we have a ticket to giveaway!! If you are interested in attending, sign up HERE to win...

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 at Age 1 Year and Communication and Problem-Solving Developmental Delay at 2 and 4 Years

Scripture referenced:

Phil 2:3-15

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