When was the last time you explained to grandparents why broadcasting your kids' photos to their friends is risky?

Patricia Cangas talks with cybersecurity professionals Kae David and Chad Rychlewski, co-authors of Cyber Smart Parenting. Kae works with tech enterprises and has over 10 years in cybersecurity, while Chad has spent 16 years protecting public sector institutions including K-20 schools where his own children attend. They break down complex security concepts into everyday language parents can use. What should you know about digital footprints before your child gets their first device? Both experts stress that open communication matters far more than perfect technical controls.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Cybersecurity experts introduce their backgrounds working with enterprises and schools
• (03:28) Why most cybersecurity books are too complex for busy parents
• (06:00) The major risks parents overlook when posting photos online
• (10:33) Parents spend only 46 minutes talking about cybersecurity from birth to age 18
• (14:18) The digital footprint lesson every sixth grader needs to know
• (19:57) What to do when kids see inappropriate content online
• (22:43) Kids will bypass parental controls without open communication
• (25:13) Where to find the book and downloadable family tech contract
• Share with someone who would benefit, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!

About the Show

Patricia Cangas Rumeu, a seasoned expert in digital literacy and educational technology, hosts Pixel Parenting - where she empowers busy parents to navigate their kids' tech use with confidence and science-based insights. This bi-weekly podcast cuts through digital parenting confusion by exploring everything from screen time strategies to educational apps with expert guests and practical tools. Patricia combines her background as both a mother and technology educator to help families build healthy digital habits that work for real life, creating a community where parents can learn what being "tech-savvy" really means for kids today.

Resources:

cybersecurityparents.com - Main website for Cyber Smart Parenting book, includes blog posts about current cybersecurity topics, downloadable resources, and tech updates beyond what's in the book

info@cybersecurityparents.com - Contact email for questions, school presentations, or PTA/PTO speaking requests

Page 77 of Cyber Smart Parenting - Contains a tear-out mad lib-style family tech contract to complete with your child (sets rules for screen time, device locations, and online behavior through collaborative conversation)

Halloween-themed cybersecurity games - Word searches and activities mentioned as available on cybersecurityparents.com, now adapted for year-round use (helps teach password protection, phishing awareness, and stranger danger online)

Credit freezing for children - Process takes approximately 3-4 hours per child to protect against identity theft

Pixel Parenting Digital Resources: https://pixelparenting.org/digital-education-resources/
Pixel Parenting Podcast: https://pixelparenting.org/podcast/
Pixel Parenting Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553247026258
Pixel Parenting IG:

Which parental mediation strategy does research say works best—and why?

Patricia Cangas sits down with Kaitlin Tiches, a research librarian at Boston Children's Hospital and the Digital Wellness Lab, who translates the latest media research into practical guidance for families. Kaitlin unpacks parental mediation strategies—from active conversations to co-viewing and boundary-setting—and tackles real challenges like sibling fairness and bedroom device rules. "Our number one suggested rule is screens outside of the bedroom," she emphasizes. This episode delivers research-backed approaches parents can implement immediately, including autonomy-supportive mediation and why young people themselves are demanding better digital literacy education.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) What a research librarian does to help parents navigate contradictory media studies
• (05:22) Understanding parental mediation and the three research-backed approaches
• (08:41) Handling different-age siblings when screen rules feel unfair
• (13:53) Why bedroom device bans matter and how to explain the rule to kids
• (20:38) What parents need to know about kids using AI tools
• (29:26) The one change every family should make this week
• (31:03) Why young people are demanding a seat at the digital wellness table
• Share with someone who would benefit, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!

About the Show

Patricia Cangas Rumeu, a seasoned expert in digital literacy and educational technology, hosts Pixel Parenting - where she empowers busy parents to navigate their kids' tech use with confidence and science-based insights. This bi-weekly podcast cuts through digital parenting confusion by exploring everything from screen time strategies to educational apps with expert guests and practical tools. Patricia combines her background as both a mother and technology educator to help families build healthy digital habits that work for real life, creating a community where parents can learn what being "tech-savvy" really means for kids today.

Resources:

Digital Wellness Lab Website
https://digitalwellnesslab.org
Main hub for accessing all research, guides, and resources mentioned in the episode.

Kaitlin Tiches on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlin-tiches/
Connect with Kaitlin directly and follow her work.

Family Digital Wellness Guide
https://digitalwellnesslab.org/family-digital-wellness-guide/
Comprehensive guide separated by developmental stage with parenting practices, trends, and age-appropriate strategies.

Family Guides Collection
https://digitalwellnesslab.org/family-guides/
Additional topic-specific guides for families navigating digital wellness challenges.

Pixel Parenting Digital Resources: https://pixelparenting.org/digital-education-resources/
Pixel Parenting Podcast: https://pixelparenting.org/podcast/
Pixel Parenting Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553247026258
Pixel Parenting IG: https://www.instagram.com/pixel...

Could reframing one conversation turn your teen from defensive to collaborative about screen time?

Host Patricia Cangas talks with Dino Ambrosi, founder of Project Reboot, who turned his college struggle with phone addiction into a program now reaching over 50,000 students. Dino walks through surprising data showing 70% of teens at top schools self-identify as addicted to their phones, why banning devices without student buy-in often backfires, and practical strategies parents can start tonight. "We get addicted to escaping discomfort through seeking distraction," he explains. His biggest recommendation? Stop approaching tech time as you versus your teen—it's all of us versus addictive technology designed to keep everyone hooked.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) An Instagram addiction in college led to the creation of Project Reboot
• (05:20) Shocking poll results show 70% of teens at top schools feel addicted to their phones
• (08:52) Why bell-to-bell phone bans can backfire and create underground magnet black markets
• (20:53) How to start the conversation without making it you versus your teen
• (25:08) Three simple changes parents can try this week to reduce family screen time
• Share with someone who would benefit, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!

About the Show

Patricia Cangas Rumeu, a seasoned expert in digital literacy and educational technology, hosts Pixel Parenting - where she empowers busy parents to navigate their kids' tech use with confidence and science-based insights. This bi-weekly podcast cuts through digital parenting confusion by exploring everything from screen time strategies to educational apps with expert guests and practical tools. Patricia combines her background as both a mother and technology educator to help families build healthy digital habits that work for real life, creating a community where parents can learn what being "tech-savvy" really means for kids today.

Resources:

ClearSpace - Free app for students that creates pauses before opening distracting apps, with social accountability features: https://www.clearspace.app/

ScreenZen - Free app (tipping model) for managing app usage with intentional delays, good Android option: https://screenzen.com/

Grayscale mode - Built-in iPhone setting that reduces screen appeal (Settings > Accessibility > Color Filters > Grayscale)

Notification Audit - Review and limit phone notifications to only urgent matters (Settings > Notifications)

Dino Ambrosi TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TMPXK9tw5U

Dino Ambrosi Website:...