Think about the notes you passed in school or the DMs you’d get.
Would you want those messages available for strangers to see, for data brokers or law enforcement to use? Continue reading Messenger Kids, Meta, and Moderation
The day after Christmas in 2004, something had happened that these kids couldn’t ignore.
The Boxing Day Tsunami or Asian Tsunami had shown us normal everyday tourists trying out their brand new camera phones, who suddenly became the front lines of citizen journalism during one of the most destructive natural disasters to date. Continue reading How Tsunami footage empowered a generation: 12/26/04 in Media History
I haven’t heard much about Zootopia 2, but I’ll take any chance I can to sing the first one’s praises. Let’s highlight how Judy and Nick are the perfect models against microaggressions. Continue reading [UPDATED] Zootopia: When a rabbit and fox model how to move through our own implicit bias
One of our favorite YouTubers, North of the Border, dedicated his latest modeling project to the Starbucks baristas on strike. Continue reading How YouTubers support Starbucks baristas on strike: North of the Border
When we first moved to Orlando with two friends to our name, I knew that Maker Faire was a place where we could find community. Continue reading Meet YouTube Makers at MakerFaire Orlando 2025 this weekend
Florida released new social studies standards that specifically re-examines Senator McCarthy and emphasized anti-communism messages for grades 9-12. Continue reading Florida’s new Social Studies standards sanitize the McCarthy Hearings
Another round of K Pop Demon Hunters Sing-Along screenings is scheduled for Oct. 30th-Nov 2nd. Rumi, Mira, and Zoe slammed through our entertainment siloes last summer, resonating across gender and age borders faster than most parents could say “Saja Boys.” Continue reading Takedown! KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along hits movie theaters this Halloween weekend
Roblox Red Flags and Lawsuits💥what happened with Roblox
💥how it affects your family
💥setting up safety perimeters
💥ways to talk to kids about predators
💥clues your child might be at risk of grooming
💥how to approach the topic if you suspect they’re being groomed Continue reading Roblox Red Flags and Lawsuits (Resources Round-up)
Listen to an inspiring talk with Author Kristin Bair on the mental load of motherhood and where menopause sits in This Moment in Media History. Continue reading Menopause & Mental Loads: This moment in Media History w/ Author Kristin Bair
Headline writers had a ball on on Thursday when Pope Leo XIV gave news agencies a pointed master class on morality and clickbait. Continue reading What is Clickbait & Why is the Pope Against it
Every Friday ConnorEatsPants plays #FortniteFriday with a celebrity of some sort, but my alerts rarely ring as loudly as they did today, and with good reason. On Friday, October 3, California Governor Gavin Newsome joins Connor on the Battle Bus. Continue reading Why is Gavin Newsom playing #FortniteFriday with a guy called ConnorEatsPants?
Dr. Jane Goodall passed away while on an advocacy tour, her Institute has confirmed. Her name alone conjures the image of adventure, breaking glass ceilings, and an unparalleled devotion to saving and sustaining the earth. Continue reading Honor Jane Goodall’s life by respecting our earth
Adolescence feels to many parents like a deep dive into the manosphere and online symbology, yet even this phenomenal piece of art could only scratch the surface. So what can we learn from this stunning miniseries? Continue reading How did “Adolescence” grip the Emmys and parents’ psyches?
I focus on sharing historical, cultural, and emotional contexts through commentary and interviews with experts.
With that in mind, here’s recent news in kids media, specifically YouTube and what you might need to know: Continue reading How YouTube affects your daily life: September 2025
As I sat in the movie theater vacillating between laughing and crying for 80 minutes, I realized how important it would be for my boys to watch Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume. The film starring Kathy Bates and Rachel McAdams is obviously a must-see for young girls. Continue reading Periods & Puberty: A Parent’s Cheat Sheet for “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret”
Around 2018, young actress Shiloh Nelson started uploading short sketches with her family to social media, which has now grown into the kind of media company that kids dream about. Shiloh & Bros (including Shiloh, Judah, Elijah, and Micah) produce variations of video games in real life, Continue reading Shiloh & Bros: the Antidote to Obnoxious Gamers
In brighter news, this is a very good app for focus! I often gush about Hank Green’s excellent work on YouTube and beyond. Recently he dropped a secret project: an app called “Focus Friend.” Besides how adorable the illustrations by Honey B Games are, it might just help your children self-regulate their screentime. [Note that Focus Friend does not claim to help with screentime; I’m suggesting it’s worth a try based on my experience. – CMJ] Continue reading Help kids self-regulate with Focus Friend by Hank Green
I was watching @KreekCraft on Friday when the Roblox Developer Conference began, which started airing at 1 pm ET. Follow the Bluesky & Threads accounts to get real-time updates on Roblox safety. BACKGROUND on recent Roblox news as of 5 Sept 2025, 4:30 PM ET It’s been a rough few weeks for Roblox. But you wouldn’t know it from their Roblox Developers Conference (RDC 2025) … Continue reading I watched the Roblox Developer Conference to see what they’re doing about child predators
Would you accept an invitation to a party from a stranger? Would you let someone you don’t know inside your house? Would you give a stranger your phone number? No? Not until college? Then don’t do that in the game either. Continue reading How to set up Roblox: From parental controls to explicit consent [Updated]
Our family binging Haminations when I came upon his Kickstarter for the animated board game Hoard the Hams, I signed up to get the game. Continue reading New Game by Haminations: “Hoard the Hams” Sneak Peek
Stephanie Mitchell believes that stories create empathy, and empathy is how we change the world. Continue reading Anne Frank & the Impact of Memoir in History w/Stephanie Mitchell
As I cleaned out my files, I rediscovered this really lovely 2021 National Geographic article “Talking to Kids about advertising,” where they used our Gatorade story as the introduction. Continue reading Break the Fourth Wall of Advertising for Your Kids
How parents can spot red flags that a Roblox game might be connected to a predator. Continue reading How to spot the red flags in a Roblox game
I am under no delusion that Back to School means we have more time to read, but I can’t keep quiet about these books for parents. Continue reading Back to School Books for Parents: Monsters to Menopause
Ever wonder why “The Cat in the Hat” feels icky?
In recent years, creators will often post React videos but forget the main ingredient–a reaction. Those videos run so rampant that many have been accused of plagiarism. Continue reading What’s a React Video and Why is my Kid Obsessed with Them?
I always enjoy reading Meg St-Esprit’s work, and contributing is an honor! Here she lays out an excellent roadmap for the different ways to approach Digital Literacy. Continue reading Care.com: I contributed Digital Literacy tips for families
Fortnite is certainly a hot topic among families, and I hear people try to describe this thing that happens….this ethereal idea that Dr. Emily Edlynn, PhD, pinpoints exactly: The Fortnite Creep. Continue reading Fortnite Follow-Up:
I don’t like to fearmonger, but every time I look at an app or software my kids want to download, it’s a potential scam. Continue reading Is Everything a Scam? Gen A Can’t Trust Anyone
“There is no such thing as perfect parenting. And that is actually a GOOD thing! Resilience, creativity, and adaptability—the very qualities that define us as humans—emerge not in spite of imperfection, but because of it. Continue reading No Perfect Parenting
What if I was that new mother, over a decade ago, desperately searching for answers as to how to be a “good” mother? I would have been tempted. Continue reading What do my kids need to know about AI? or “Mattel, I have questions.”
With Anne Frank’s birthday and also the anniversary of The Diary of Anne Frank being published on June 26th, it unlocked a new road into how we learn history: memoir. Continue reading The role of Memoir & Anne Frank in how we teach History (Out Think Media History bonus)
Given the WICKED: for Good trailer caused such excitement, we’re revisiting our own coverage of the Wicked Witch of the West- two years ago, I explored the concepts of evil and good in relation to pop culture and parenting. Continue reading Witchy Wednesday #1: The Wicked Witch got the shaft
Out Think Influencers is the second podcast series from Out Think Media, where I team up with experts to give you the historical, cultural and emotional context needed to understand the influence of media on your kids today.
Continue reading How to evaluate science influencers w/ Kacie Luaders (Out Think Influencers ep3)
I want to share a special Out Think Media calendar with you all- see which topics I’m covering this month and vote on the dep dive. Continue reading Grab our new June calendar
I purposely add nuance into my reviews, but when it comes to Rivera and other pranksters, it’s hard. That’s why I took a strong look at my system for reviews, to ensure I give each YouTuber and YouTube channel a fair shake: Continue reading How I evaluate & review YouTube Creators
With The Taming of the Screens premiering last weekend, it’s time to sit down and explain how Shakespeare ties into digital literacy. Thanks to everyone who joined us at the Orlando Kids Fringe Festival for activity tables and at our new workshop, performed for free in the Courtyard each day. Why use Shakespeare for digital literacy? If you can decode Shakespeare in 2025, you have … Continue reading What’s digital literacy & what does Shakespeare have to do with it?
I don’t remember a time when our kids didn’t ask questions. I do remember the distinct look on my toddler’s face once he saw Mufasa’s injuries, and understood … Continue reading Mufasa & Mortality: Dialogues about Death
I watch YouTube so you don’t have to. Unfortunately, there are some of those YouTubers who have found the Venn diagram for every major childhood algorithm, and I must review them too. Today, it’s Brent Rivera. Unless otherwise noted, these reviews are my opinion based on our core values and research process. Day 1: Brent Rivera Rivera started on Vine in 2014, while a freshman in … Continue reading Brent Rivera: Prankster without a cause
Kids team up with Shakespeare’s clowns and sprites on a quest, where they see the power of curiosity and context clues are the keys to staying safe online! Continue reading Happy birthday Shakespeare! & Introducing “The Taming of the Screens”
“Nobody is immune to this type of predatory behavior.” –Jennifer Lawrence DSW, LICSW Out Think Influencers is the second podcast series from Out Think Media, where I team up with experts to give you the historical, cultural and emotional context needed to understand kids’ media today. Today’s episode continues discussing Influencers, and specifically the kinds of Romantic Scams that children can fall prey to. Show … Continue reading Sextortion & Kids w/ Jen Lawrence (Out Think Influencers ep2)
Out Think Influencers is the second podcast series from Out Think Media, where I team up with experts to give you the historical, cultural and emotional context needed to understand kids’ media today. Continue reading This is your child’s brain on Influencer Marketing w/ Lauren Mazzarese (Out Think Influencers ep 1)
On the occasion of The Minecraft Movie premiering today, here are some of the best YouTubers to help introduce your child to the intensely popular game. Continue reading I watch Minecraft YouTube so you don’t have to
The world of kids media, influencer marketing, and online safety move so quickly, and here are the topics on the edge of my brain right now. Continue reading Kids Media on my Mind
I watch YouTube so you don’t have to. And I have so much to share about Kids Media Literacy that normally, I post on Facebook, Instagram, or BlueSky. This Patreon is my attempt to collect my best work in one place for you. Read my recent posts here! Please join our readership community at any tier (including free)! You get access to: This is our community to … Continue reading Want to get Kids Media news early?
March 2nd was the birthday of Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. In a way, we can thank The Cat in the Hat for starting me down this rabbit hole of dissecting kids media. Please enjoy a frank discussion with these intelligent people I am honored to know: “[Seuss] is only a reference. He has no impact on my artistry. He’s just a part … Continue reading How the Grinch Stole His Own Legacy: Dr Seuss (Exploring Evil episode 6)
How Do You YouTube? YouTube as entertainment entered my kids’ lives sometime in February of 2020 when we were already distance learning (thanks, COVID). With two parents working at home and two kids doing their schoolwork online, we all needed separate workspaces Around the same time, we introduced our 6-year-old to Minecraft. We’d played games on the Nintendo Switch before, but this would be the … Continue reading Teach Kids to be YouTube Smart
We are what we watch. And there’s a reason why our kids take the advice of YouTubers and other influencers more than we assume they do. Continue reading Under the Influence of The Royalty Family
No one thinks their child could be groomed online. We interviewed Jen Lawrence from WeFightCyberCrime.org on how to identify and discuss it. Continue reading Primer: Clues your Child Might be at Risk of Grooming
Recently announced changes mean that fewer players will be deceived into joining games like “Coin Slide” that can’t actually offer their players copious amounts of coins or XP as advertised. Continue reading Epic Games Loyalty Levels Up w/ Small and Significant Change in Fortnite
The fires still burning through areas of Los Angeles have led many creators to post updates to fans about their safety. Continue reading West Coast YouTubers Update Fans on Their Safety During L.A. Fires
Here’s what families need to know about influencer marketing, YouTube, and attacking algorithms in 2025. Continue reading I Watched YouTube in 2024 So You Didn’t Have to
Shari Franke’s memoir The House of My Mother is a must-read, especially in light of recent laws, regulations, and questions put forth about the role of social media in our children’s lives. Hear it from a young woman who lived her entire childhood online. Continue reading Family Vlogging and Shari Franke, The One Who Got Away
Ask if your child watches ConnorEatsPants, or Fortnite Friday. You can gain insight into how gamers discuss current events and some of Connor’s questions/views could align with your child’s. Continue reading Who is ConnorEatsPants & What is Fortnite Friday?
When our kids started reading on their own, I knew we would need to focus on including diverse voices like Native American and Indigenous Booksellers and Authors. Continue reading Support Native American Booksellers & Artists Today
Is the Wicked Witch of the West really the wicked one? How to talk to your kids after seeing the WICKED movie. Continue reading WICKED: When the Hero Must Play the Villain
The 2024 US Presidential election looms large in our minds, and your children will likely have questions. Our new podcast series called “Out Think the Election” is about to launch, and until then, here are reliable resources to spark your family’s dialogues. Continue reading 3 YouTube Channels to Explain US Elections to Kids
Media literacy is never done; it is a lifelong process. But how can you sustain meaningful dialogues with your kids? Continue reading Local Newspapers & Elections w/ Emily Popek (Out Think Media History EP 1)
Get insights on the role of content creators in the Democratic National Convention and how much influence does MrBeast really have? Continue reading In the Belly of MrBeast: Influencers Gonna Influence
Every month, I’ll share a kids’ media roundup of all the articles, announcements, and new reviews—when they happen. Continue reading Skibiditoilet Goes Hollywood, Congress Puts a SHIELD between Kids and Data Miners – August News
What’s the connection between neuroscience and kids’ media, and how can families harness that knowledge for good? Continue reading Civic Science, Kids’ Media, and Me
Mimic channels look very close to the content they steal and repurpose, so here are tips to check if it’s safe to watch.1“““222224 Continue reading Mimic Channels and How to ID Them
The key to making any relocation run as smoothly as possible: communication. You and your spouse must talk to each other and listen to one another, even — and especially — if they are saying things you don’t want to hear. Continue reading Questions Families Must Ask Before Moving
Get an inside look into Inside Out 2 as we dissect themes of friendships, adolescence, and anxiety with experts. Continue reading Burning to Talk About Inside Out 2? Here Are 2 Great Choices
We’re on to minisodes around Representation and Love in pop culture. We’re thrilled to begin with an exploration of Dads, with special guests Shannon Carpenter (Author and Stay-at-Home-Dad) and Dan Jenkins (Creative Director, themed entertainment). Continue reading Bandit Dads: The Good, The Bad, and the Pop Culture Dad (an Out Think the Classics Minisode)
Learn about Nick Eh 30, the family-friendly streamer who promotes positivity and entertainment while keeping his channels suitable for all audiences. Continue reading Who is Nick Eh 30, and Why Do My Kids Want His Fortnite Skin?
Riley’s in middle school and her brain is overwhelmed with new emotions! How should her parents handle her newly found Anxiety? Continue reading Enter Anxiety: Helping Kids Handle Bigger Emotions in Inside Out 2
Adults can understand how excessive screentime affects brain development. But how to explain it to kids? Continue reading 3 YouTube Videos To Teach Kids How Their Brains Work (+ a Bonus)
The annual Orlando Fringe Festival brings hundreds of families downtown, and we got to meet them! Continue reading Caregivers Connect at the Orlando Kids’ Fringe Festival!
Why is a solar eclipse so rare, and what does it all mean? If families need help explaining it, let our favorite Science Communicators lead the way! Continue reading 5 Science YouTubers to Explain the Solar Eclipse to Your Kids
I read Turtles All the Way Down while I was slowly coming to understand the role that anxiety plays in my life. If anyone could figure out how to express OCD in writing, it is John Green. Continue reading John Green, OCD, and the Turtles All the Way Down Trailer
Now that Ninja told his audience about his cmelanoma diagnosis, how do you talk to your kids about cancer? Continue reading Popular Streamer Ninja Uses His Platform to Encourage Cancer Checkups
We conclude our first series, “Exploring Evil,” having walked down the yellow brick road, time jumped with The TVA, traveled between the world of the living and the dead, visited a chocolate factory, and now it’s time to visit Whoville. Continue reading Listen to OutThink the Classics EP 6: How The Grinch Stole His Own Legacy – Dr. Seuss
The girls sing “First comes love….” about Rad and Frisky, so we’ll get to see them tie the knot! Share the bone? Who knows, and who cares? It’s four times as long as any Bluey episode. Continue reading Watch the official trailer for Bluey’s 1st long special, “The Sign”
Their stories of fulfillment and the neverending tug-of-war between family, love, career, and parental obligations still shine and spark dialogues the whole family can engage in. Continue reading Everyday Marriage Issues on the ISLE OF HOPE
NIMONA is a good companion piece to Percy Jackson – when we stop looking to our parents to learn who we are, how can we choose the right friends? Continue reading Nimona: Breaking Animation Barriers on YouTube
Ruby Franke, the former family vlogger on the “8 Passengers” channel, and her former business partner Jodi Hildebrandt are being sentenced today for – counts of child abuse. Continue reading Live Updates on the Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt Sentencing
The Pink Shirt Couple is just one of the latest YouTube couples who broke up after rising to fame – while dating. But why does my kid care? Continue reading What the Pink Shirt Couple Can Teach Us About Break Ups
If your kids give you the old “I need to play Fortnite so I know what my friends are talking about,” here’s what you need to know, Continue reading Fortnite and Disney? A Parent Primer if You’re Still Unsure
Let’s use Milne’s birthday as an opportunity to explore the whys, wherefores, and drawbacks of writing or filming about your family. Continue reading The Perils of Writing About Your Kids: A.A. Milne, Christopher Robin, and Family Vloggers
We’ve avoided Ali-A for a bit in our house, but every once in a while, he creeps back in. Continue reading YouTube Review: Al-A is Great at Fortnite, But Avoid His React Channels
Imagine my surprise to hear a video essayist proclaim MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) as the modern Wonka: “Clickbait Wonka.” Continue reading Wonka, MrBeast, and Clickbait Philanthropy
How can we enjoy Willy Wonka once we know that Roald Dahl was antisemitic? How can we separate the art from the artist, and when should we? Continue reading Listen to Out Think the Classics EP 5: Willy Wonka, Roald Dahl, and Separating the Art From the Artist
Explaining all the reasons why Tiny Tim died is like explaining why poverty itself exists. Continue reading Why Did Tiny Tim Die? Explaining Poverty to Kids
I was a guest for the “On Boys” podcast, and we discussed how to see the clues that extremists might be influencing your child, parasocial relationships, doxxing, Gamergate, The Great Replacement Theory, how to mentor and guide YouTube use, and more. Continue reading What are the Signs of My Child Being Radicalized?
How can you talk to kids about death and grief? How hard is it to watch “The Boy and the Heron” if you’ve experienced the loss of a parent? Continue reading Death, Grief, The Boy, and the Heron
Now it’s time to explore the renowned Studio Ghibli, the man behind its success and impact on our culture, and why he cast himself as the villain for his last film. Continue reading Listen to “Out Think the Classics” EP 4: Studio Ghibli’s ”The Boy and the Heron”, When a Master Paints Himself as the Villain
We continue our first series, “Exploring Evil,” exploring the concept of evil in classical stories and how it relates to parenting and kids. Part 2 of Loki welcomes Julia Washington & Dr. Drea Letamendi to our library to connect Loki to parenting, psychology, and pop culture. Continue reading Listen to “Out Think the Classics” EP 3: Loki Pt 2 with Dr. Drea Letamendi & Julia Washington
Given the great news that Pixar is not shying away from tackling puberty in Inside Out 2, let’s bring our conversations about puberty and developing bodies back! Continue reading Pixar, Periods, and Puberty: Inside Out 2
Inundated by Black Friday or Cyber Monday posts?
We know the most important part of gift giving is that it’s personal and meaningful. So for gamer kids, what are the best gifts? Here’s our guide! Continue reading Gift Guide for the Gamers in Your Life 2023
“What do you do when other people have a story about you in their head, and they won’t let you change? They won’t let you do something that doesn’t fit the idea they have. They’ve already made up their mind about you. What do you do about that?” – Ben “Books” Schwartz Welcome or welcome back to our podcast series called “Out Think the Classics,” … Continue reading Listen to”Out Think the Classics” EP 2, Loki: Their Mythology, Comics Heritage, and Season 1
The film and play help children witness a 10-year-old child in transition– moving away from her friends and her life, moving away from following her parents’ instructions, and remembering who you are and where you came from while also learning to move on. Continue reading The Gorgeous Stage Play of “Spirited Away” Now Available to Stream!
We’re kicking off a podcast series called “OutThink the Classics,” part of my own personal quest to contextualize classic pop culture for modern families.
Our first series is “Exploring Evil,” where we will explore the concept of evil in classical kids’ stories. We start this journey with the Wicked Witch of the West– can’t you just hear her theme music now?
Please welcome Family Therapist Lauren Mazzarese and Freelance Arts Manager Lia Kozatch to dig into the iconography and cultural impact of our favorite green witch, and discover some surprising parenting advice along the yellow brick road. Continue reading “Out Think the Classics” Podcast Presents The Wicked Witch of the West (Exploring Evil, Ep 1)
OutThink the Classics is the podcast of OutThink Media, where we offer context and conversations to help you evaluate and curate movies, TV, YouTube, and more. Continue reading Introducing our new podcast, OutThink the Classics!
I could say so much about The Marvels: how I could watch Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel) forever; how Brie Larson (Captain Marvel) lets emotions leak past her “I’m fine” face; and how Teyonah Parris (Monica Rambeau/Spectrum?) perfectly blends childhood betrayal and performing her duty even if- and especially when- they conflict.
Maybe one day, I will share some critique of the film, but today is not that day. Continue reading The Marvels: When the Villain is the Hero of Their Own Story
The allegations that Creator Rosanna Pansino has recently brought against MrBeast’s Creator Games 3 is an important lesson for kids to learn about YouTubers so they can view their favorite channels critically. Continue reading The MrBeast Cheating Controversy Shows Your Kids How Editing Tells the Story
They had me at Soot Sprites; it was a lovely way to unwind from a hectic day of playdates and working from home, from setting up and cleaning up from painting adventures, and just from life in general. Continue reading Musings on Miyazaki by a Parent Who Feels Seen
It’s Chuck-E-Cheese meets Freddy Krueger. It’s actually Showbiz Pizza meets Freddy Krueger if you want to get really specific. Continue reading A Parent Primer For “Five Nights at Freddie’s”
Given the incidents occurring in Israel and the Middle East, and threats of violent imagery being spread across social media, I asked my friend and parental controls expert Shelley Delayne to help families understand extra precautions to take and conversations around it. Continue reading How to (Try to) Prevent Your Kids From Seeing Violent Images
AI is just one hot button issue at play; Safeguarding a child actor’s time and experience on set are also under negotiation, and starts even before they get the role. Continue reading SAG/AFTRA Strikes For Children’s Rights to a Safer Set
