Creating a Safer Digital Environment for Children with Gayle Cheatham

In this episode, the Cassels interview Gayle Cheatham, a certified life coach specializing in helping families keep their children safe online. Gayle shares her background and how she became interested in navigating technology's impact on children. 

They discuss the challenges parents face with excessive device use and the importance of awareness and active parenting. Amy and Tray reflect on their own struggles with device use and the reintroduction of their kids' cell phones after a two-month grounding.

Overall, this conversation addresses the challenges of technology in parenting and offers practical solutions and resources to create a safer digital environment for children.

KEY POINTS:

Gayle is a certified life coach specializing in helping families keep their children safe online.The Cassels sought help from Gayle in reintegrating their kids' cell phones after a two-month grounding.Gayle is from South Africa and has a background in the oil and gas industry.She noticed the increasing influence of technology in our lives and the challenges it poses, both personally and as a parent.Gayle became interested in helping families navigate technology and its impact on children during the COVID-19 pandemic.Gayle believes that technology is robbing children of their childhood experiences and wants to prevent them from missing out on developmental opportunities.She discusses her concern about kids feeling lonely despite their physical needs being met, as parents are often unavailable due to excessive device use.The importance of self-reflection as a parent and acknowledges her own struggles with device use.They discuss the need for protection and solutions for families facing phone addiction.Free parental control options are mentioned, such as built-in device controls and the website Protect Young Eyes.Monitoring systems like BARK and Covenant Eyes are recommended as paid options.The speaker suggests using flip phones or a starter phone as alternatives to smartphones for younger children.Communication and understanding between parents and teenagers are emphasized.The importance of teaching tech responsibility and empowering children to make good decisions is highlighted.Advocating for open communication and valuing teenagers' perspectives while making decisions as parents.They discuss the overwhelming nature of the topic and the need for a clear roadmap.The importance of creating whitespace and fostering quiet introspection for both adults and children is mentioned.The speaker jokes about their child being bored and their willingness to involve the other parent in finding activities.

LINKS MENTIONED:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gcheathamcambelyn/

www.amycassels.com

https://twitter.com/amy_cassels?lang=en

https://www.instagram.com/acassels/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBzoQfLNzz_ieatgaoWDTcw

Mentioned in this episode:

Sparkle Dust

NingxiaRed