Screen Less Play More

About Screen Less Play More

Parenting doesn't have to feel overwhelming — especially when it comes to screens. Screen Less Play More is the podcast that helps modern parents raise healthy, balanced, and confident kids in a world dominated by technology. Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak, each episode blends practical strategies, expert interviews, and the latest child-development research on screen time, play, mental health, digital habits, and healthy tech boundaries. You'll learn how to reduce screen use without power struggles, encourage independent and imaginative play, and support your child's development from the baby years through the teen years. We will give you screen free activities to try, as well as book recommendations on the best parenting books about screen time. If you've ever wondered how to manage phones, gaming, social media, or kids' tech requests — or how to bring back more free play, outdoor time, creativity, and childhood joy — this show gives you clear, realistic answers. Discover why unstructured play and risky play boosts emotional resilience, how nature supports healthy brain development, and what parents can do to prevent screen overuse, digital addiction, and burnout. This is the place for busy moms and dads to learn about digital health, healthy screen habits, and how to manage kids and technology. We give you ideas for screen-free activities, screen-free Sunday, and family dinner. We cover topics from friluftsliv outdoor lifestyle, to critical thinking for kids, to screen free entertainment. We also cover EdTech and it's influence on modern schools, why you might want to opt-out, and how to manage Chromebooks and laptops in the classroom. Ed Tech is not technology education, and we explain the difference to you and how kids can learn valuable media literacy. We also stress the importance of bell to bell cell phone bans in schools, as well as why more play and recess can be the solution to slumping test scores. Cynthia uses her experience as a mom of two neurodivergent boys to help you manage screen time in regards to ADHD, autism, Asperger syndrome, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and other learning differences. She knows what works for her family, and will help yours too! You'll hear episodes on: Age-appropriate screen time guidelines The negative effects of too much screen time. Helping kids who are struggling with gaming or social media, including addiction. Building healthier tech habits as a family. What are the recommended screen time limits for children by age? Play-based learning, Montessori/Waldorf/Reggio Emilia and homeschool approaches. Encouraging outdoor play in all weather. Is social media safe? Can I make social media safe? What are the best parental controls for smartphones? How to make room for boredom, creativity, and independence How to reduce screen time without fights. Raising resilient, curious, emotionally healthy kids. Simple, screen-free activities toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids love, plus the screen-free toys you can use to get some rest as a parent. Whether you're parenting babies, toddlers, elementary kids, tweens, or teens, Screen Less Play More gives you inspiring ideas and relatable conversations to help your family thrive. If you're a busy parent wanting more connection, more play, and fewer tech battles — you're in the right place. Take a listen, screen a little less, and play a little more — your kids' childhood depends on it. Website: screenlessplaymore.com Instagram & Facebook: @screenlessplaymore screenless playmore YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore Substack: https://screenlessplaymorepodcast.substack.com/

Publisher

Cynthia Dvorak

Category

kids & family · kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 Apr 2025

Latest episode

16 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

41 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Sept 2026

   Your Kids Aren't the Only Ones at Risk: How to Protect Your Parents From Cyber Scams

   At the same time that you try to keep your kids safe in the digital world, you may be asking "How can I protect my own parents from online scams?" Seniors are a prime target of cyber scams. They grew up trusting that a phone call, email, or letter was legitimate - but they also can have large bank accounts and a lot to lose. The older people in your life are getting duped by: Fake grandkids calling for money. Fake banks asking for transfers. Fake IRS officials texting for social security numbers. Fake I.T. companies asking them to click dangerous links. It's only getting worse in the age of AI. And sometimes the hardest part isn't stopping the scam. It's getting your parent to tell you it happened. I have personally seen older family members scammed out of thousands of dollars, and I want to see this stop. So, I made the newest episode of Screen Less Play More podcast with Kae David and Chad Rychlewski, authors of Cyber-Smart Caregiving:  Protecting Your Parents In The Digital Age. Available now on Amazon! We discuss: How to protect your parents from online scams, fraud, text scams, email scams, and phone scams. As well as AI scams, voice spoofing, and deepfakes. How to bring up the topic and talk to older people about how to stay safe online and what to watchout for. What conversations to have with your parents BEFORE they get taken advantage of. What to do if your parent is being scammed. What to do once a scam has occurred. Can I get my money back? Should I call the cops? What are the common and popular scams going on in cybersecurity right now? What to be aware of. How to avoid common elderly scams. Should our family have a safe word? How do I know if a call or text or email is legit and real as opposed to a fake? How do I do a tech audit? Protecting your elderly and older parents from financial scams is super important in the modern age. This podcast episode makes it easy for you and your family to understand what is at risk, how to discuss the issue together, and how to handle the fallout once a scam has happened. Grandparents need protection too! Screen Less Play More is the best parenting podcast about reducing screen time, staying safe online, keeping kids safe in the digital age, understanding the importance of play, how to get your kids to go outside more, how to get your kids to play, and how to keep kids balanced and thriving! For more parenting resources please check out https://screenlessplaymore.com/ and https://screenlessplaymorepodcast.substack.com/ Thanks so much for listening!  If you find this episode helpful, share it with your sibling!

2. 

   20 May 2026

   How to Have a Low-Screen Summer (Without Constant Battles) | Simple Ideas That Actually Work!

   Are you worried summer will turn into endless screen time battles? In this episode, Cynthia sits down with screen time expert and Better Screen Time founder Andrea Davis to share practical, realistic ways families can create a low-screen summer without stress, guilt, or perfection. In this replay episode, Andrea gives parents the top 4 questions to ask your kids when school ends and you start your plan.... or when summer gets into a slump midway through. Andrea explains how to reduce kids' screen time by filling summer with meaningful activities, simple routines, hands-on hobbies, outdoor play, family goals, and boredom-friendly ideas that actually work. From toddlers to teens, this conversation is packed with actionable parenting strategies for creating healthier tech habits during summer break. You'll learn: How to create a family summer screen time plan Why boredom can move kids towards meaningful hobbies Screen-free summer activity ideas for toddlers, kids, and teens How to reduce screen time without constant fighting Why screen time shouldn't be used as a reward Healthy phone boundaries for teenagers The best low-effort activities that keep kids occupied longer, note: open-ended toys are golden! How to encourage creativity, independence, and real-world skills Ways to help kids build healthier relationships with technology Andrea also shares: Her "When You Want to Do Nothing" boredom-buster list Tips for collaborative family tech planning How to handle summer phone expectations with teens Why open-ended play matters more than expensive entertainment If you're looking for practical screen time tips, low-screen summer ideas, healthy digital habits, or realistic parenting advice for raising kids in the digital age, this episode is for you. Perfect for parents of toddlers, elementary-age kids, tweens, and teens navigating: summer break screen addiction concerns smartphone boundaries boredom complaints social media limits family tech rules healthier routines for kids Guest: Andrea Davis, founder of Better Screen Time (https://www.betterscreentime.com/) Host: Cynthia Dvorak founder of Screen Less Play More For more on parenting in the digital age, visit ScreenLessPlayMore.com and the Screen Less Play More substack What's the best parenting podcast? Screen Less Play More! screenless playmore

3. 

   11 May 2026

   They Were Good Parents. Social Media Still Harmed Their Kids | The Team Behind 'Your Attention Please' Documentary

   What is social media really doing to kids — and why are even loving, careful parents losing children to online harms? In this powerful episode of Screen Less Play More, Cynthia interviews the team behind the documentary "Your Attention Please," including filmmaker duo Sara Robin and Jack LeMay, along with parent advocate Kristin Bride, whose 16-year-old son Carson committed suicide after severe online cyberbullying. Together, they expose how social media algorithms, addictive app design, anonymous messaging apps, cyberbullying, and AI-driven engagement systems are affecting children's lives and safety. Kristin explains how online bullying and harassment killed her son, through an anonymous app called YOLO, which was integrated into Snapchat. They discuss teen and child mental health, friendships, self-esteem, attention spans, and safety online. This episode explores: the hidden dangers of Snapchat and anonymous apps how algorithms push harmful content to teens the connection between social media and anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and suicide why even "good parents" cannot fully protect kids from online harms the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the fight for tech accountability how Big Tech profits from attention and emotional manipulation practical ways parents can reduce screen time and create healthier childhoods the growing movement toward phone-free schools, offline clubs, and screen-free family life You'll also hear hopeful ideas for reclaiming childhood through more independence, outdoor play, real-world friendships, and intentional family culture. If you're worried about: kids and phones teen mental health cyberbullying screen addiction social media safety AI and children online predators digital parenting raising kids in the digital age …this episode is essential listening. Learn more about the documentary "Your Attention Please" and upcoming screenings at Your Attention Please. For more practical strategies on raising balanced, thriving kids with less screen time and more real-world play, visit Screen Less Play More and Cynthia's substack Screen Less Play More. https://screenlessplaymorepodcast.substack.com/ Thanks for listening!

Who has been a guest on Screen Less Play More

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Clare Morell
• Megan Saxelby
• Michael McLeod
• Julia Storm
• Michaleen Doucleff

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

515

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

15 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

56

Social presence

0

YouTube

64

Engagement

51