I like to dig into their origin stories. I explore their motivations to continue creating videos and how they treat their communities. Continue reading How I evaluate & review YouTubers for your family
At first, it looked like just another “bad air day,” as I tell my kids. Then my oldest noticed that the air was yellow, and that’s how we clued into our first sandstorm. Continue reading Ever been in a sandstorm? YouTube Science & Climate Channels
Sticky post
Media Swap presented by and at Audobon Park Church in partnership with Goblin Market and Waste Knot Orlando Continue reading Out Think Media IRL: books and digital safety tips at Orlando’s Media Swap on March 14
Vanilbean is creative, self-aware, and shares creative game time with her Mom. She’s always collaborating with other YouTubers or shouting out people with fewer subscribers Continue reading Vanilbean: For a Murder Mystery 2 Champ, She’s Still Sweet
Haminations has extended his massive popularity as a Storytime Animator into a small card game empire. His latest is called Bull Shark. Continue reading Bull Shark! is a new card game by Storytime Animator Bryson (Haminations)
We can thank the Wayan Brothers and an upstart FOX Network (ah, happier memories) for transforming the dull Super Bowl Halftime shows to a pop culture event that often overshadows even its famed commercials. Continue reading Thank the Fly Girls for the Super Bowl Halftime Show – A Media History Treat (2/8/2026)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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”
2010’s “homemade online videos” are 2023’s multi-million dollar enterprises.
“VidCon has 20,000 14-to-20-year-olds. It’s a hard to reach, savvy audience. They’re all making videos and posting. It’s the most media-savvy group in world.” Continue reading VidCon 2023: Is It Good For Kids?
Reports directly from the police state that a child climbed out of a window and asked a neighbor for food and water. Neighbors saw duct tape on the child’s hand and wrists, along with open wounds. Continue reading Why was Ruby Franke Arrested? Parenting Advice with a Side of Pain
The First Law to Regulate Family Vlogs on YouTube Until last week, there was no guarantee that a child who is featured in their family’s monetized YouTube channel would ever see a dime. YouTube Help cites some guidelines for minors, but only about the kind of content they can participate in. Now, vlogging parents in Illinois must open and maintain a trust for their children. … Continue reading Illinois Tells Family Vloggers to Pay Their Kids: YouTube News
What parents need to know about the Colleen Ballinger controversy and how to protect your children. Continue reading The Sad Ballad of Miranda Sings
Influencer marketing is under fire again thanks to Logan Paul and KSI’s new Prime Energy Drink. Continue reading 7 Ways to Show Your Kids the Power of YouTube Influencers Over Their Brains
Who is MrBeast? MrBeast is the most-subscribed-to individual YouTuber who engineers large-scale challenges where people compete for even larger amounts of money. His estimated net worth is $500 million, so you can imagine how in demand his merch is. MrBeast Merch [UPDATE 5/6/2024] In early May, Donaldson separated from his manager for multiple years., Reed Duchscher of Night Media, after six years together. For those … Continue reading YouTube Merch Part 3: MrBeast
As a child of the 80s, it takes a minute to shift my expectations around toys; mainly, that they don’t want Care Bears or He-Man as much as a plushie of a monster. Continue reading YouTube Merch Part 2: Hug a Horror Friend
I felt like I had never heard of this drink and then BAM! It was everywhere. Continue reading YouTube Merch Part 1: 7 Reasons Not to Buy Prime Energy Drink
One thing I love about yo-yo YouTube is that it’s mostly wholesome, safe for all kids to watch, truly work as tutorials, and shows kids that even a hobby like the yo-yo can be turned into a challenging career. Continue reading How to Learn Yo-yo Tricks on YouTube
I don’t have a lot of objective criticism for MrBeast’s main YouTube channel. He’s a 24-year-old who makes a massive amount of money through YouTube’s Ad Sense (he has 124 million subscribers) and brand sponsorships. His videos just aren’t my style. Continue reading Is MrBeast Good for Kids?
MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson, started making video games at 13 years-old because he was obsessed with what makes a great YouTube video, analyzing the data on audience retention, and continuing to “make the best videos possible,” as you’ll hear him repeat in a number of interviews. Continue reading YouTube Review: MrBeast
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 Coming to Terms With Five Nights at Freddie’s (But We Still Don’t Play the Game)
Take the opportunity to talk through some emotional language and get as specific about how they would label Shark and his friends’ behaviors as you can. Continue reading Shark, LifeOfShark, and SharkAttack: YouTube Reviews
It’s hard to separate the parental stigma of screen time and video games from very real lessons my kids learn from their games. I’ve witnessed real-life social, developmental, and educational skills children learn while playing video games like Minecraft, Roblox, Civilization, and more. Continue reading Lessons to be Mined From Mario, Minecraft, and More
Sticky post
I was no novice to YouTube, but the world of YouTube gamers? For a while, at least one parent was in the same room while they watched tutorials, that couldn’t always be the case. And if we both had meetings at the same time, then the kids wanted to watch it with their headphones on. Continue reading Primer: Teach Kids to Be YouTube Smart
