In a world where screens are always on and digital threats are often invisible, conversations around digital safety for kids have never been more necessary—or more urgent. In a recent episode of America’s Criminologist, Dr. Currie Myers sat down with Katie Longhauser and Detective Kevin Cronister of The Screen Guardians to go deeper than surface-level advice. Together, they explored what it truly takes to protect children online—from the realities of grooming and emotional harm to the science behind screen-driven behavior. If you’ve ever wondered how to better safeguard your child’s digital life, this conversation is one you can’t afford to miss.
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Dr. Currie Myers podcast with Katie and Kevin
Americas Criminologist with Dr. Currie Myers: Guests: Katie Longhauser, RN, BSN & Det. Kevin Cronister, MS
In one of the most grounded and deeply human conversations we’ve had the honor to be part of, Kevin and I sat down with Dr. Currie Myers—America’s Criminologist—for an episode that reached well beyond crime statistics and research papers.
It reached into the heart of why we do this work.
Because behind every warning about online risk, behind every school training or digital wellness tool we design, there are stories. Family stories. Police reports that start with a parent’s voice cracking on the phone. Classroom moments when a child sheepishly confesses something they’ve seen but wish they hadn’t.
There’s the stillness in a teacher’s face when they realize how much they didn’t know they were supposed to protect kids from—the kind of dangers that don’t show up in textbooks.
And that’s what we talked about with Dr. Myers.
Not just the “what” of digital safety. But the “why.”
The truth we can’t scroll past anymore
What happens when we stop pretending the internet is neutral territory—and admit it’s shaping our kids in ways we barely understand?
That’s the question Kevin and I found ourselves sitting with during our recent conversation on America’s Criminologist with Dr. Currie Myers. And it’s not a small one.
Because what we’ve seen—what we know with aching clarity—is that digital harm doesn’t start with the headline. It starts in the quiet.
It starts with a child watching a video that’s “a little off” but not quite alarming enough to report.
It starts with a DM from a stranger that feels flattering, not threatening.
It starts with arguments over screen time that feel too routine to double-check what’s really behind the resistance.
And then sometimes, it escalates. And by then, many adults are behind—emotionally, practically, and technologically.
Digital safety isn’t just a tech issue—it’s a health issue
As a nurse, a mother, and someone who’s spent years studying brain development, I spoke on the show about the real, biological impact screen use has on our kids.
This isn’t just about distraction. It’s about:
- Dopamine loops that hijack attention and motivation
- Emotional blunting that makes it harder to form healthy relationships
- Sleep disruption, mood swings, and behavior shifts that show up at home and in classrooms
Technology is in the bloodstream of childhood now. We can’t just take it away—but we can teach kids how to engage with it in ways that protect their brains, hearts, and relationships.
Kevin brought a parallel perspective—drawing from over 15 years in law enforcement and hundreds of child exploitation cases. What he sees daily isn’t just frightening—it’s deeply personal.
Because he’s also a dad.
And like every parent, he doesn’t just want to catch predators. He wants to stop the harm before it starts.
Fear isn’t the answer—but truth is the beginning
One thing I appreciated about our conversation with Dr. Myers was how safe it felt to be completely honest.
To name the hard things: grooming tactics, stealthy online predators, platforms that profit off of our kids’ eyeballs and impulses.
To pause when needed.
To honor the why behind what we do.
And to remind everyone listening that this work isn’t about scare tactics.
It’s about:
- Practical knowledge rooted in science and lived experience
- Conversation-building tools for families, classrooms, and communities
- Restoring safety and regulating truth in a hyperconnected world
What we said—and what we hope you remember
“We’re not anti-tech. We’re tech conscious.”
That’s the heartbeat of The Screen Guardians.
And this episode helped us say it out loud, in the steady tone we always aim for: not frantic, not performative—but grounded in conviction and care.
Because raising kids in a digital world is not just about protecting them.
It’s about preparing them.
Equipping them.
Supporting the adults who guide them.
An invitation: Digital Safety for Kids
If you’re a parent who feels overwhelmed…
If you’re an educator trying to keep up with tech while tending to young minds…
If you’re simply someone who believes the mental and emotional health of our kids is worth attention and action…
We invite you to listen to the conversation.
Not because we have every answer. But because it’s a step toward more honest, compassionate dialogue—something we can’t afford to avoid any longer.
Why this conversation matters now
Dr. Myers offered a platform not just for our voices, but for the voices of thousands of families and schools who don’t get air time. Who are trying to teach safety and balance without the training, the tools, or the time.
He asked important questions. He listened with discernment. And he reminded us that, at the end of the day, public safety and mental wellbeing are not separate goals.
They’re the same goal.
They just show up in different uniforms.
If you haven’t had a moment to listen yet, I hope you will.
Not because we have all the answers. But because you’ll hear two parents—one with a badge, one with a stethoscope—trying to make sense of what hurts our kids, what helps them heal, and how we make the digital world just a little less dangerous, one school, one family, one honest conversation at a time.
🎧 Listen to the episode with Katie and Kevin on Dr. Currie Myers’ Substack
For more blog episodes and family resources, visit The Screen Guardians Podcast Blog.
For more tools, stories, and family safety resources, visit The Screen Guardians or explore our full curriculum at Kids Digital Health Hub.
