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ScreenStrong FamiliesAuthor: Melanie Hempe, BSN
After her oldest son, Adam, dropped out of college due to his video game addiction, Melanie Hempe, BSN, put her nursing degree and training from Emory University to good use and founded ScreenStrong. Its her mission to create educational programs for kids and parents so no one will experience the pain of screen addiction. Her ability to simplify medical science and provide practical solutions for families has allowed her to share her passion and bold screen solutions nationally. ScreenStrong has won the hearts of many families who are preventing and reversing childhood screen conflicts and addiction.Host of the popular weekly ScreenStrong Families Podcast, Melanie has been featured in Psychology Today, Thrive-Global, The Wall Street Journal, A&E Network, CBS, CNN, NPR, the documentary Screened Out, and various news and television outlets. Her ScreenStrong Kids Brains and Screens Courses are available for parents and students. Her four books include, Kids Brains & Screens: A ScreenStrong Student Course, Will Your Gamer Survive College? Can Your Teen Surviveand ThriveWithout a Smartphone? and The ScreenStrong Solution: How to Free Your Child from Addictive Screen Habits. Language: en Genres: Education, Kids & Family Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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The Case for Screen-Free Schools: Protecting Kids’ Minds & Character with Dr. Kathleen O'Toole (#256)
Wednesday, 18 February, 2026
What happens when schools trade screens for books, discussion, and teacher-led classrooms?In this powerful episode of The ScreenStrong Families Podcast, host Mandee Hamann welcomes Dr. Kathleen O’Toole, Associate Vice President for K–12 Education at Hillsdale College, to explore why screen-free learning is essential for children’s mental health, intellectual growth, and civic formation.Dr. O’Toole leads Hillsdale’s nationwide K–12 Education Office, supporting a growing network of classical schools committed to teacher-led classrooms, rich curriculum, and the cultivation of moral character and civic virtue. In a culture increasingly driven by devices, personalized learning algorithms, and now AI in the classroom, Hillsdale’s approach offers a strikingly different model—one rooted in wonder, truth, beauty, and human connection.Together, Mandee and Dr. O’Toole discuss:Why teacher-led classrooms can never be replaced by “student-centered” digital learningHow screen-free education strengthens focus, retention, and deep thinkingCommon misconceptions about technology in schoolsReal examples of students engaging in thoughtful disagreement and civil discourseInsights from Dr. O’Toole’s article Citizenship Starts in the ClassroomIf you’ve ever wondered whether all that classroom technology is truly helping children—or quietly harming their ability to think, reason, and flourish—this conversation will challenge and encourage you.You’ll walk away with clarity, practical next steps, and renewed confidence that a better path forward is possible.Support the showDon't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book! Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products. Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador! ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount) Production Team: Host: Melanie Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin
