NFTs - What are they? Do my kids need to know about Crypto? Is this just a new fad or a new trend in digital collectables that are the future? How do Crypto and NFTs come into play with online gaming? These are just a few things we tackle in this episode of The Growing Up With Tech Show. In this episode, I'm joined by not one, but two guests. Jamie McMahon and Alexia Sabow from CBC Kids.This podcast topic is one that took me a while to find guests to come on and speak about so I’m really excited to share this with you! Join us as we explain everything (well, mostly) that you need to know about what NFTs and Crypto are...how they come into play for our kids and what parents should know as questions may come up from your kids. SHOW LINKS:Web: cbckidsnews.caTwitter: @CBCKidsNews, #cbckidsnewsInstagram: @cbckidsnews, #cbckidsnewsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/CBCKidsNewsSupport the show

#018 - Have you ever wondered how Virtual Reality can affect kids? Is too much gaming bad? How do you deal with tech addiction? How can we help our kids become more present in everyday social experiences? We cover all this and a whole lot more on this episode of Growing Up With Tech. I have to admit this was one of my favourite conversations yet and I think a lot of parents will take a lot away from this episode featuring Anxiety & Depression Specialist, Licensed Psychotherapist, Georgia Dow.Have you ever wondered how immersive gaming affects kids? Should we control the amount of time our kids play VR games and why? What does the future hold for VR and AR tech in terms of gaming and social interactions? What about the anxiety of tech and the impact of social media on mental health? Listen in and find out what we uncover and what parents should consider. This is one you don’t want to miss.Learn more about Georgia Dow:Twitter: https://twitter.com/georgia_dow/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/georgiadowWeb: https://westmounttherapy.comSupport the show

#017 - Alyson Schafer is a family counsellor, TV personality, columnist, spokesperson, educator and consultant - she is known as “one of Canada’s leading parenting experts”. In this episode, we talk about attention spans in kids and if we should be concerned about the impact short-form content will play on their attention span as they grow up. We also talk about parents' control of tech, monitoring time on tech, and we discuss tech use time in the summer. Join us for these topics and much more. This is one you don’t want to miss.Learn more about Alyson Schafer:Website: www.alysonschafer.comFB teen group: www.facebook.com/groups/alysonschafersparentingteens Support the show

#016 - Do your kids like building things? Are you kids into gadgets, circuits and learning how things work? Maybe you want to see if they would be into coding...Robotics may be a great fit.In this second episode of the interview series, I interview the Director, Global Educational Strategy, Jason McKenna, of Vex Robotics. We discuss how the company got started and learn the background about the company which expands across small stem robotic kits, to full educational programs for schools, to global robotics championship tournaments. Vex Robotics is much more than just a STEM product line. Listen in on our discussion about how the company got started and the range of robotic products and what age ranges they are directed at. We discuss how Vex developed and supports education in schools and much much more.Missed episode #1? Catch it here: - http://growingupwithtech.show/15Learn more about Vex Robotics:STEM Library: help.vex.comGetting started: getstarted.vex.comTeacher PD: certifications.vex.comVEX main site: vexrobotics.comConnect With VexIG: https://www.instagram.com/vexrobotics/?hl=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VEXRoboticsIncFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/vexroboticsTwitter: https://twitter.com/vexroboticsSupport the show

#015 - Do your kids like building things? Are you kids into gadgets, circuits and learning how things work? Maybe you want to see if they would be into coding....Robotics may be a great fit.In this episode, I interview the Director, Global Educational Strategy, Jason McKenna, of Vex Robotics. We discuss how the company got started and learn the background about the company which expands across small stem robotic kits, to full educational programs for schools, to global robotics championship tournaments. Vex Robotics is much more than just a STEM product line. Listen in on our discussion about how the company got started and the range of robotic products and what age ranges they are directed at. We discuss how Vex developed and supports education in schools and much much more.Learn more about Vex Robotics:STEM Library: help.vex.comGetting started: getstarted.vex.comTeacher PD: certifications.vex.comVEX main site: vexrobotics.comConnect With VexIG: https://www.instagram.com/vexrobotics/?hl=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VEXRoboticsIncFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/vexroboticsTwitter: https://twitter.com/vexroboticsSupport the show

Teaching kids about banking, finances, savings and more isn't easy. Even the values of an allowance and earning money by doing chores can be challenging. All that is about to get easier with a new app called Mydoh. In this episode, I interview the founder of the app, Gaurav Kapoor. We discuss how this app works, how this digital wallet is different from a traditional bank account, how it easily teaches kids about spending, saving and earning money and a whole lot more. If you have ever found it challenging to explain to your kids how bank cards, credit cards and interest charges work to your kids, or if you have ever found it challenging to encourage your kids to become actively involved, regularly, with chores...this will be a game-changer. It definitely has been for me. I also have a very exciting offer to share with you from the Mydoh team:*Use promo code GUWT10 when you sign up before January 31, 2022, to get $10 deposited in your Mydoh Wallet. This is a one-time use promo code valid between Nov 30/21 and Jan 31/22.  New Mydoh users only. Apply promo code when prompted on initial sign-up.  Offer to be added to your Mydoh Wallet within 1 day of sign-up. Offer can be changed or withdrawn at any time.Learn more about Mydoh:https://www.mydoh.ca/https://www.instagram.com/mydohapp/https://www.facebook.com/mydohapphttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO37WfNRF0VtQcwBFNqlCug Support the show

#013 - In this episode, Kerry Galagher from Connect Safely, joins us to talk about cell phones for our kids. One of the biggest questions parents have about cell phone use is specifically "when is the right time to give my child a cell phone?"  There are lots of great tips we uncovered in this episode and you’ll want to listen right to the end to find out when to give your child a phone, how-to guide them with this new responsibility, and how to deal with various issues that may come out of having this new freedom and responsibility. About the Growing Up With Tech Podcast:Hosted by Lowell Brown, each week we discuss topics related to the impact of technology on our kids as they grow up. There are so many ways technology is a part of our everyday lives. From cyber safety and social media to tech products and educational tools our kids' experience, learn and become creative with. We cover all that, and more, on The Growing Up with Tech show.Show Links:ConnectSafely Guide to Parental Controls - https://www.connectsafely.org/controls/Harvard Graduate School of Education Article featuring Kerry: When to Give Your Child a Smartphone - https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/18/02/when-give-your-child-smartphoneConnectSafely QuickGuides - Short, Printable, Postable https://www.connectsafely.org/quickguides/ConnectSafely Educator Guides - https://www.connectsafely.org/educatorguides/ConnectSafely Parent Guides - https://www.connectsafely.org/parentguides/Connecct with Kerry Gallagher:Email: kerryhawk02@gmail.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/KerryHawk02Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerryhawk02/Support the show

Have you ever wondered why you are seeing a specific ad on the Internet? Have you ever worried about who is tracking what you do online? In this episode of Growing Up With Tech, we'll discuss what a Digital Footprint is and why having a discussion with your kids about their online activity can bring awareness to what is, or is not being tracked and why that may important. You may have heard the saying "what happens on the Internet, stays on the Internet" - well, we'll discuss why this is and how some activities may leave some breadcrumbs that others can either collect about you or use against you. So join me in a discussion about Digital Footprints. I hope this allows you to chat with your kids about this so that they can make smarter choices but also understand how sometimes your digital footprint is also a good thing.Support the show

#011 - In this episode, I interview Dr. Beverly Pell of Smart Digital Kids for a discussion about tech use with our kids and her approach to T.A.M.E Your Tech. We discussed how kids at different ages use technology and how we, as parents, can talk with our kids about their use of tech. More interestingly, we consider the perspective of how parents model our behaviours with tech on our kids and how we sometimes may need to also tame our use of tech. We had a great conversation that I think will hit home for lots of parents. This was a great discussion and I know will be a popular episode. I hope you enjoy it and look forward to your comments and feedback.You can connect with Dr. Bev at:https://www.smartdigitalkids.com/https://www.instagram.com/smart_digital_kids/https://www.facebook.com/smartdigitalkidsSupport the show

#010 - As summer comes to an end, and the school year starts will you make changes to the amount of screen time you encourage your kids to have?The summer break is a time where kids often times spend more time outside and less time with tech on a day-to-day basis. So, as the summer comes to an end and kids get back to school do you think your kids will go back to using tech more often? Will you change your rules for screen time? Do you worry about the amount of screen time kids will have during the school year both during the day and after the school day ends? That's what we'll discuss in this episode of the Growing Up With Tech Podcast.Connect with me at:https://www.instagram.com/growingupwithtech/https://www.facebook.com/growingupwithtechSupport the show

#009 - In this episode, I interview Cynthia Arscott of Goldminds. Goldminds conducts educational experiences teaching mindfulness & personal development strategies to children. We chat about the types of programs Goldminds runs with kids, how they engage and learn through the programs, why mindfulness is important for kids and how it can affect their mental health. We discuss what to look for in your kids and teens to see if mindfulness might be something to consider, how it can help improve focus and emotional regulation, as well as self-confidence.Connect with Cynthia at:https://www.goldmindscanada.cahttps://www.instagram.com/goldmindsca/Support the show

#008 - In this episode of Growing Up With Tech I talk about digital books vs. printed books and the experience I had with my kids as I introduced them to digital books. Hear what they preferred and why. Do you think they will prefer audiobooks, a digital book (think kindle) or will they want the old school printed books? So hit play, listen in and let me know what your kids prefer. Support the show

#007 - In this episode, I interview Michelle Acaley from Sphero, an educational product company. Sphero makes remarkably cool, programmable robots and STEAM-based educational tools that transform the way kids learn, create, and invent through coding, science, music, and the arts. We discuss the various products available by the company, how kids use them to learn and play, why teachers use both to inspire and engage children and we'll cover which product might be a great fit for your kids. This was one of the very first episodes I created for this podcast and was the first interview episode I recorded. While I am releasing this later than others it's definitely one of my favourites to date and I hope you enjoy it too. Support the show

#006 - One of the things I love most about changes that have come with technology is the speed at which we can access information. And one platform that has greatly helped is YouTube. Want to learn something new - say how to fix something, how to play a game, a  new recipe....well almost everything is on YouTube. So, how does that affect our kids? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Is it helpful? Has it had a negative effect on our kids or their life? That's what this quick episode of Growing Up With Tech is all about. So sit back, have a listen and at the end...I'd love to hear your thoughts. Send me a message and let me know. but you have to listen to the episode to find out how to contact me with your feedback.Support the show

#005 – Do your kids play Minecraft? Are you unsure what it’s all about and if it’s an appropriate game for your kids?In this episode, I’ll cover why I think the platform is great for creativity, imagination, spatial learning, and more. I’ll explain what the game is all about, how it can be played, I’ll dive into the good and bad (mostly good), and what this creative game can teach your kids. Is Minecraft safe for kids? I’ll also explain how children can leverage their imagination to not only build anything they can dream up but also create worlds that others can explore.Join me in Episode 5 of Growing Up With Tech and please share your feedback and comments about this episode below.Help other parents learn about this podcast! Share this podcast feed with your friends & leave an honest review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Support the show

#004 - Do you wonder if your kids' vision is being affected by screen use? Want to know if blue blockers are good for kids? Does watching a screen before bed really affect how well you can sleep?We'll cover all this and more on Episode 4 of Growing Up With Tech.Dr. David Black joins us to talk about the impact of screens on vision.What did you like most about what he said?Support the show

#003 - In this episode of the Growing Up With Tech Podcast I'm going to talk about how social media use can affect our feelings and why it's important to consider the implications and experience this can have with our kids. How can social media platforms impact them? what are social implications and how does it affect their social interactions with their peers? How can we, as parents, be observant and take this opportunity to speak to our kids and raise their awareness of the impact of social media on feelings and behavior.  Find out what I have to say about these issues and more on this episode. Support the show

In this episode of Growing Up With Tech, I'll discuss how to set up different parental controls and screen time settings in IOS to help you contract what content and the amount of content your kids may have access to with their iPhones, iPads, and more. I'll break down some specific features you want to consider including how to set up restrictions within the app store as well as purchase restrictions to prevent your kids from accidentally spending money on games or game upgrades. More information and notes at http://growingupwithtech.show/2Support the show

As a parent and a bit of a tech geek myself, I've instilled an interest in different technology with my kids as they have grown up. From seeing how they used an iPad as a toddler, to teaching them about online safety with social media and online gaming it’s been interesting to see how kids grow up with tech.There are so many different ways technology can have an impact on a child's life - both good and bad. Join me as we talk about different issues related to technology and kids. As a parent, we have a role in guiding how our kids use technology and we’ll cover different topics so that you, as a parent, are better equipped to make your own decisions. We’ll also have discussions about issues that our children face, as they grow up in this digital age so that they can experience, learn, become creative and possibly find their own passion through a hobby or future career.Join in the discussion and hit subscribe to ensure you don't miss future episodes!For links and show notes for this episode, head over to:https://www.growingupwithtech.show/1Support the show