Brave Parenting

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 112: WW Dopamine Detoxing Jun 21, 2023

Show notes

Today’s Worldview Wednesday episode discusses the TikTok trend #dopaminedetox. Time magazine has noted the “moment” dopamine detoxing is having on social media platforms. At the core, the idea is to create better, healthier habits. However, this social media trend also provides great lessons for learning discernment with online media. How can we ourselves and our kids critically think about the content promoted: is it true? What is their motivation for sharing the content? And how can we take what is good and leave behind what is wrong?

Articles referenced:

The ‘Dopamine Detox’ is Having a Moment
What is a ‘Dopamine Detox’?
I Tried the ‘Dopamine Detoxing’ Trend to Find Peace Again

Scripture referenced:

Ephesians 4:22-24
1 John 1:8-9
Galatians 5:16-17
Colossians 3:1-2
Romans 7:14-25
Colossians 2:8

Ep. 111: The “Reality” of Apple Vision Pro Jun 13, 2023

Show notes

Today, Kelly and her husband, Ryan, discuss the new mixed reality headset, Vision Pro, announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference on June 5, 2023. What is this device exactly? How will it be used? And what are the implications for the future?

Ryan is enamored with advancing technology, while Kelly is cautious about its impact on personal relationships. Their common ground is found only in the Word of God and their hope in Christ.

Articles referenced:

Introducing the Apple Vision Pro (9 min YouTube video)
Apple Vision Pro: I Tried the New Mixed Reality Headset
Hands On With Apple Vision Pro: The Opposite of Disappearing
Apple’s ‘Vision Pro’ Wants to Be the $3499 Anti-Metaverse
Apple Vision Pro is Apple’s New $3499 AR Headset

Scripture referenced:

Hebrews 10:24-25
Genesis 1:26-27
1 Cor 6:12
Eph 2:10
Isaiah 43:7
1 Cor 10:31

Sponsor:

Aro: goaro.com/brave and use promo code: BRAVE for first month subscription for free.

Ep. 110: WW Social Media & Smartphone News Headlines Jun 07, 2023

Show notes

In today’s episode, we look at four major news headlines over the past two weeks. The Surgeon General’s advisory on social media and kids, Early smartphone ownership linked with greater mental health issues, Montana bans TikTok, and Stephen & Ayesha Curry’s social media regret. This episode is great to listen to as a family, and Kelly & Chelsea give thought-provoking questions you can begin with your kids.

Articles referenced:

Surgeon General Fears Social Media is Harming the Well-being of Our Children
Surgeon General’s Advisory
Smartphones Take a Toll on Teenagers: What Choice Do Parents Have?
Age of First Smartphone/Tablet and Mental Well-being Outcomes Report by Sapien Labs
Montana Governor Bans TikTok
Ayesa Curry Admitted She Regrets Overexposing Her Daughter on Social Media When She Was a Toddler

Scripture referenced:

Mark 9:42
2 Tim 1:7
Romans 12:2
Matthew 12:36
Psalm 141:3
1 Peter 2:16
Luke 9:23

Sponsor

Aro – Spend more time intentionally away from your phone this summer. Use promo code: BRAVE

Ep. 109: NCOSE 2023 ‘Dirty Dozen List’ May 30, 2023

Show notes

Every year the National Center on Sexual Exploitation researches and compiles a list of the twelve mainstream entities that facilitate, enable, and even profit from sexual abuse and exploitation. This campaign is called the Dirty Dozen list, and on today’s episode, Kelly and Chelsea discuss the twelve and what parents are to do with information like this. Do you boycott? Do you advocate for change? Do you use it to train others? The short answer: Yes.

Articles referenced:

NCOSE 2023 Dirty Dozen List
NCOSE Victories

Scripture referenced:

Psalm 34:14-16
Psalm 97:10
Psalm 119:101
Proverbs 4:14
Proverbs 8:13
Proverbs 14:6
Isaiah 5:20
Romans 12:9
1 Thes 4:3
1 Peter 3:17

Ep. 108: WW A Critique of APA’s Recommendations for Adolescent Social Media Use May 24, 2023

Show notes

On May 9, 2023, the American Psychological Association released its first Health Advisory Report on adolescents’ use of social media. Parents everywhere await expert organizations like the APA to guide and direct their decisions and even affirm their concerns regarding the risks of kids’ use of social media. Unfortunately, this report provides nothing of value that the everyday non-psychological scientist parent doesn’t already know. Kelly and Chelsea walk through the recommendations provided in this report and counter them with the truth and sufficiency of Scripture.

Articles referenced:

Full APA Health Advisory Report (PDF)
Should kids use Social Media? US psychology experts share their do’s and don’ts -Popular Science
American Psychological Association released its 10 science-backed recommendations for social media use for teens. – DigitalWellbeing.org
How Parents Can Actually Help Their Teens Navigate Social Media – The New York Times
Can Too Much Screen Time Harm You?

Scripture referenced:

Hebrews 10:24
Romans 1:18-32
Matthew 6:21
1 Peter 3:3-4
Romans 16:17
Philippians 3:17-19
Romans 16:19-20

Sponsor:

Aro – The best way to decrease your family’s screen time! Use code: BRAVE to get one month free subscription!

Ep. 107: Preparing Your Devices, Home & Kids’ Hearts for Summer May 18, 2023

Show notes

Summer is upon us and in this episode, Kelly & Chelsea help you prepare for the desire and propensity for extra screen time! First, they discuss the general boundaries every family needs in their home, and based on that, they discuss the common ways kids get around boundaries and parental controls. Frustrating, but it is the reality. Finally, Kelly & Chelsea look at preparing your kid’s heart for the boundaries and limits by demonstrating obedience to Christ through God’s word.

Scripture referenced:

Matthew 5:1-7:29 (The Sermon on the Mount)

Articles referenced:

Best Home Routers with Parental Controls
Brave Parenting Guide to VPN apps

Podcasts to be sure to check out!

The Heart & Online Influence
The Content Driven Life

Ep. 106: WW Bullying & Suicide May 10, 2023

Show notes

This week’s Worldview Wednesday covers three recent headlines of young people who are bullied and then take their own lives. If bullies have always been a part of every generation – what is so different about bullying today that it leads to such tragic ends? Even more, why is suicide now the go-to solution for kids? Kelly and Chelsea look at scripture to find answers to these questions.

Articles referenced:

In His Final Moments, Indiana Middle Schooler Blamed His Bullies

New Jersey school suicide: Mother of 11-year-old discovers ominous cellphone recording

New Jersey school superintendent resigns after 14-year-old student’s suicide.

Veteran teacher breaks down why teachers are quitting

Scripture referenced:

John 10:7-15
2 Cor 1:3-4
Psalms 6:5-7
James 1:2
2 Corn 4:8-9
Isaiah 61:1
Hebrews 10:23
Jeremiah 6:16

Ep. 105: The Content Driven Life May 05, 2023

Show notes

This week Kelly & Chelsea tackle what it means to grow up living a “Content Driven Life.” This refers to the online content consumed or created that shapes their thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs. More specifically, we address the Social Contagions that take hold in a content driven life and how dangerous that is.

Articles Referenced:

Psychology Today: Nihilism
Psychology Today: Social Contagion
Dove Commercial: Mary’s Story

Scripture Referenced:

Proverbs 4:23
Phil 2:3-5
Mark 12:31
Romans 12:10
Galatians 6:10
Matthew 23:12
James 4:10
Ephesians 6

Book References:

Not Enough Faith to be an Atheist Teen/Young Adult edition

Ep. 104: WW Underage Alcohol Delivery Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

This week we are looking into the reality of alcohol delivery to minors through apps like UberEats and DoorDash. It’s a growing problem that these delivery services are trying to navigate, but as we know, teens have a lot of time and a lot of tech savviness to find workarounds. As always, we look at this issue through the lens of Scripture.

Articles referenced:

Investigators Find Delivery Service Apps Getting Alcohol to Underage Students
Will Delivery Services Let Your Kids Order Alcohol
Home Delivery Companies Aren’t Checking IDs When Dropping Off Booze
Parents Sue Snapchat Parent Company After Drug Delivery Deaths
Here’s How Drug Dealers Use Snapchat & Instagram to Reach Kids

DEA Emojis Decoded

Scripture referenced:

Galatians 5:19
Ephesians 5:18
Proverbs 23:29-35
Romans 14
Proverbs 28:13
Proverbs 4:23

Nothing Safe About Secret Sin

Ep. 103: Five Myths of Social Media Apr 18, 2023

Show notes

To live in the world but not be of the world can be a challenge for every Christian. In the age of social media it is all too easy to slowly slip into believing lies. Whether that be bad or false ideologies or that social media itself poses no risks to you.

Today, Kelly & Chelsea discuss 5 common myths Christians often believe about social media and their presence on it. This episode might set your defenses up but we pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal to you whether you believe these myths and restore a holy and kingdom-centered mindset. All for the glory of God!

Scripture referenced:

Ephesians 5:1-21
Romans 10:17

Resources mentioned:

John MacArthur Study Bible
Face-to-Face Relationships