You can be a Screenstrong Ambassador!
first heal and transform your own family, then spark a WAVE of change
that can reshape the world around you.
What is a ScreenStrong Ambassador?
Our ambassador team is committed to ScreenStrong’s mission to empower families to reclaim their kids from the toxic elements of today’s digital world. As an extension of the ScreenStrong team, Ambassadors are trained and certified to present our workshops and are available to provide additional support to families in the Connect Community.
Ambassadors spread the ScreenStrong message in their immediate community of influence—both in-person and online. In addition to public speaking, opportunities are available in areas such as marketing, communications, fundraising, sales, language translation and more.
“While searching for an ally in my fight for kids’ hearts and minds, I was immediately drawn to ScreenStrong. As an ambassador, I’m able to boldly and proudly proclaim their clear message and offer parents real solutions to their screen-time struggles. I’d be talking about ScreenStrong everywhere I go anyway, but being an ambassador gives me the content, credibility, and connection I need to make a bigger impact.
—Doug Smith, TN
Discover the Rewards
Of Joining the ScreenStrong Ambassador Movement!
- Personal and Family Transformation: Learn effective strategies to improve your family’s screen habits and foster healthier connections.
- Make a Difference: Empower other families and schools in your community to reclaim their kids from toxic screen culture.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded parents and professionals, becoming part of a supportive and growing movement.
- Exclusive Access: Enjoy special events, webinars, and educational content designed to help you share the ScreenStrong message. Plus, gain access to our complete digital curriculum and purchase print materials at a significant discount.
- Comprehensive Training: Benefit from exclusive educational resources, videos, and live virtual training sessions. Receive guidance on organizing events and utilizing ScreenStrong tools, along with ongoing support from the ScreenStrong team to ensure your success.
To apply, please fill out the interest form below. Once submitted, you will receive comprehensive information about our upcoming quarterly Ambassador Training, including dates, times, and registration details. Additionally, we will provide you with specifics regarding the certification fee, ensuring you have all the information needed to prepare for your journey as an ambassador.
You will receive a notification to schedule your Ambassador Interview, where we’ll discuss your interests, goals, and how you can contribute to our mission. This is an exciting opportunity to connect and explore the impact you can make as an ambassador.
Register for our virtual training session. This training is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to be an effective ambassador. You’ll learn about our mission, strategies for promoting screen health, and ways to support families in your community. Attending these sessions will not only enhance your understanding but also connect you with fellow ambassadors.
“As a parent coach I see the negative impact toxic screens are having on families. Finding ScreenStrong has been a game changer. As an ambassador I feel like I am an integral part of the team, working to reverse and prevent screen addictions and bring families back together. ScreenStrong is an incredibly dedicated group of individuals and I am proud to be a part of it.”
—Debbie Cossi, CA
Ready to Make a Difference as a ScreenStrong Ambassador?
By joining our team, you’ll have the opportunity to empower families in your community, promote healthier screen habits, and help children thrive in a balanced environment. As an ambassador, you’ll be equipped with valuable resources, training, and support to effectively share our mission. Together, we can create a wave of positive change and inspire others to reclaim their lives from toxic screen culture. Join us in this vital movement and be a catalyst for transformation!
Fill out the interest form below and our Ambassador Liaison will be in touch with you as soon as possible!
Our next class will onboard in early 2025
Book a Workshop with a
Certified ScreenStrong Ambassador
GLOBAL AMBASSADORS
Amy has a creative background in studio art, art history and graphic design from USA. She met her husband in Munich, Germany and they have 3 children who are in their teenage years. She and her family has been living in Innsbruck, Austria for the past 10 days. She hopes to bring more awareness of screen toxicities among the Austrian and international communities and families.
Jen is a Parent Cyber Safety Consultant based in Sydney, Australia, and is the Founder of ‘Not My Kid.’ She offers information and resources for parents focusing on keeping children safe online by delaying screen exposure and preventing online child exploitation.
Jen is a mum of three children—two young adults and one in primary school. She has navigated several negative experiences with my older kids online, the most challenging being her daughter’s exposure to a predator via an online game when she was 9. This has provided her with personal insight into some challenges both children and parents face today, and as a result, Jen elected a screen-free approach with her youngest son.
Jen has completed many courses in online safety and is studying for a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice to further her knowledge in this space.
In addition, she has managed her husband’s psychiatric practice for over a decade now and, during this time, has noted an alarming escalation in teens seeking help, with problematic internet use being a significant factor.
All this has contributed to her mission to preserve childhood and keep all children safe from online child exploitation by empowering their parents through education.
Her passion and primary focus is fighting the epidemic of child exploitation online.
Lee has been an educator for over twelve years in Australia and abroad. She has worked with children and adolescents in primary, high school and vocational settings. When returning to education in 2016 after being a stay-at-home mother for seven years, she noticed the negative effects of screens on children and adolescents. Their literacy levels were at an all-time low, they had short attention spans, there were numerous problems with adolescent wellbeing and the respect for teachers and parents had declined. Students were also losing social connections with friends as recess and lunchtimes were spent on their phones while the sport oval lay empty. When Lee’s eldest child entered high school, a family member gave him a tablet, and because it was a gift, she felt she couldn’t take it away from him. After some time, she noticed that he began to change. She initially blamed it on just being a teenager, but as the problems developed, she realised this was not typical behaviour. In January 2023, Lee discovered ScreenStrong and participated in the 7-day Detox Challenge and has never looked back. Her children now live in a screen-free home, using the computer only for homework and having a movie night once a week. They are happier, reading more, spending more time outside, and are engaging in a range of interests. Lee aspires to change how society views harmful screens and allow children to once more be children, free from screen addiction, anxieties, and harm.
With over 3+ years of experience as a qualified Teacher Aide and over 5+ years of experience in leadership and organization roles for various Youth Ministries, Ben has witnessed first-hand the psychosocial effects of smartphone abuse and screentime overuse on a generation of young people. This concern moved Ben to formalize his rich hands-on experience by studying a Bachelor of Counselling. He hopes to bring a diagnostic awareness of screen-time on young children and teenagers within the Counselling profession which otherwise isn’t taken into account. Ben is also an award-winning filmmaker and endeavors to utilize the medium of film in a way that brings a healthy awareness to the effects of screen-time, social media, and the taboo topic of pornography to his community. With on-stage experience as a speaker, Ben has the ability to connect with an audience of all ages, grades, and backgrounds as he tailors an extremely patient, warm, and creative approach to teaching and learning.
Tom is in his final semester of a Masters of Educational & Developmental Psychology and works as a Provisional Psychologist in Private Practice. Tom is passionate about the ScreenStrong message, having seen the substantial impacts screen use has on the adolescent brain. Tom enjoys helping individuals find psychological wellness through a highly collaborative, client-centered approach. Tom works with individuals of any age, having training in human development across the lifespan. His areas of practice include anxiety & depression, parenting & attachment, relationships, sexuality & identity, resilience and self-esteem. Tom is a strong supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community and enjoys working with culturally & linguistically diverse clients. He is also conversationally fluent in Brazilian Portuguese.
My journey through a masters in organizational psychology, working in human resources, university teaching, and yoga practice/instruction has led me to advocate for human growth and digital well-being. These varied experiences have shown me a gap between generations, affecting not only workplaces but also schools and families. It’s clear that skills like deep reading, understanding emotions, paying attention, being present, and reflective thinking are fading among younger generations, making it harder for them to handle life’s challenges, internally and externally.
University teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, I noticed a decline in critical thinking and focus, especially in younger students. In my futures studies course, many students expressed a fear that technology would replace human relationships as well as a feeling of powerlessness about their own future. This encouraged me to seek solutions and led to a year of training with Consciously Digital, an ICF-certified provider of digital well-being coach training, to deepen my understanding of how technology affects us, such as, mental health, burnout, and excessive tech use to touch on a few of the branches of impact.
Currently I reside in Canada with my husband, where I am eager to help children, families, and the community make better choices about screen use. While being aligned with ScreenStrong, and promoting real human connections over digital distractions, my mission is to empower people of all ages to not just survive but thrive in the digital age, creating a brighter future for generations to come.
Dedicated and passionate, I am an educator with a heart deeply rooted in the joy of learning, teaching, and nurturing young minds. With a rich experience spanning over 15 years as a coordinator of educational technology at independent schools, I have honed my skills in creating environments that stimulate growth and innovation in classrooms. As a mother of three children aged 11, 8, and 1, I bring a unique perspective and understanding into my current role as a middle school core teacher, blending life experiences with educational expertise. My philosophy of education is built on the foundation of genuine relationships and real-world interactions. I believe in the significance of real world interactions and seek creative freedom that comes from moments of boredom. These values guide my approach both at home and in the classroom. I see myself not just as a teacher, but as a facilitator of boundless opportunities for learning and growth. My goal is to create a learning atmosphere that is both challenging and nurturing, fostering resilience, perseverance, and an innate sense of curiosity in every student. I am committed to guiding young learners in understanding the process of learning itself, encouraging them to embrace challenges and grow through every experience.
Attachment Parenting Educator and Certified Health Coach, Brandie Hadfield is passionate about supporting parents to follow their heart and intuition. Her experience with excessive digital media use in her own family and the impact that the elimination of interactive screens had made, was so dramatic and so profound that she partnered with ScreenStrong to share the message of delaying interactive digital tech to other families. Brandie currently lives in Toronto, Canada where she homeschools her two sons, and runs an online health and nutrition business and mentors other Wellness Practitioners. Brandie has appeared as a guest blogger for “America’s Pediatrician” Dr. William Sears and Natural Parent magazine, and shares parenting and nutrition tips at www.thedreammethod.com
Jessica is a mom to two elementary school-aged children and works as a high school mathematics teacher in Grimsby, Ontario. In her 13+ years of teaching, she has seen the evolution of the smartphone and social media apps that have made it more and more difficult for teenagers to focus and thrive. An avid reader about anything to do with learning and the brain, Jessica feels like the recent research on the negative impacts of screens on the brain needs to be made known. She has become a Screenstrong Ambassador with the hopes of spreading the word so that as a community of parents and teachers we can help our children and teenagers live healthy, happy, and fun lives!
Johanna Galea works as an administration manager and holds a Master’s degree in Exercise and Nutrition Science. After a period of debilitating chronic illness a few years ago, she made a full recovery using the Dynamic Neural Retraining System, and went on to coach others throughout their recovery journey for a few years, before putting that on hold due to her growing family. She lives in Malta with her husband and three beautiful children, all adopted from India. After seeing early warning signs of screen addiction tendencies in their eldest child, Johanna and her husband decided early on to limit screen use. As she read online about the subject, Johanna discovered the ScreenStrong message and found that it really aligned with their family values and also their intentions to delay social media and gaming. She is now committed to spreading the ScreenStrong message to spread awareness and empower parents as much as possible, while at the same time hoping to build a local community of like-minded families.
Ana Ávila works as a senior writer for Coalición por el Evangelio and consulting scholar for Blueprint 1543. She is the creator and host of Piensa Podcast and has a undergraduate degree in clinical biochemistry and a diploma in biblical studies. Ana is the author of Make the Most of Your Productivity: A Practical Guide to Honoring God With Your Time (Crossway, 2024). She was born in Mexico and now lives in Guatemala with her husband and their two sons.
I’m a wife and mum to two young kids based in New Zealand as well as a Digital Strategist, advising clients on how to build their online presence. Having worked in the online space and representing brands across social media platforms, as early as the Bebo days I have an extensive understanding of how these platforms operate and have been exposed to the extremely dangerous underside including Pedophilia, grooming and inappropriate content. I have been on a journey over the past 18 months of educating myself on how screens impact our kids brains and empowering myself to make some of the tough decisions around screen usage in our home. One of the biggest challenges has been finding like minded parents, so I have become extremely passionate about sharing my knowledge with others in my community, as well as being able to counteract some of the arguments I often come up against. Basically I want parents to know that they do have choices when it comes to screens and they don’t have to accept the status quo.
Gigi is a passionate advocate for responsible technology use based in the Philippines. She is a solo parent to a child with Autism. She is dedicated to empowering parents and educators with the tools and knowledge required to raise screen-smart kids in today’s digital world.
With a background in Architecture and also an Architect by profession, Gigi founded the Simple Parenting Club a year ago, targeting busy parents navigating the complexities of the digital age. She is also the author of the ebook “How to Raise Screen-smart Kids,” a comprehensive guide aimed at aiding parents and educators in fostering responsible screen habits in children.
Through Simple Parenting Club, Gigi runs a pivotal program that focuses on helping parents manage their children’s screen time effectively, while also addressing their own digital well-being.
Gigi has witnessed firsthand the dramatic ways in which technology has become an integral part of her daily life. She believes in the urgent need to equip the younger generation with the skills and awareness to navigate this landscape responsibly. Her professional experience, coupled with her personal insight as a parent, solidifies her conviction that achieving digital balance is both necessary and achievable.
Matilde, a former classical dancer, holds a Masters in Arts Administration from Columbia University – Teachers College, New York. After more than a decade working in Arts Consultancy both in Europe and the USA, Matilde settled in Lisbon, Portugal where her professional passion turned to Arts Education.
During this time, she was exposed to the extremely manipulating and dangerous side of screens and since 2015, has been particularly dedicated to educating herself on how screens impact our children and teens. She feels strongly about the subject and has organized successful conferences to help educate others about how screens affect us.
Matilde and Pedro, her lovely husband, have 4 marvelous children ages 5 to 12 years old.
Matilde gives presentations in Portugal and her efforts as a ScreenStrong ambassador aim to bring even greater awareness to how wonderful family life can be without toxic screens!
Hello! I’m José, a Biology student at the University of Lisbon, passionate about neuroscience. I have a strong academic background and actively engage in extracurricular activities and volunteering, including at CUPAV and Missão País. I’m committed to personal growth, social justice, and exploring opportunities to define my future path. Excited to connect and explore possibilities for my personal and professional growth.
Corina began her own research on screen addictions and the negative effects of numerous apps while finishing her thesis on the ethics of user experience design. She is deeply concerned about the well-being of families and children; she has volunteered with children, which is why she advocates for screen education, early childhood reading, and spending meaningful time with them. Corina is a software developer and technical blogger who lives in Romania with her husband.
Ana is a mum of 3 boys, including one teenager. After finally feeling like she had the early years of parenting somewhat figured out, her eldest’s preteen entrance created another minefield. The smartphone and how to help guide children through their online interactions was suddenly a very big issue. She had hoped that by now there would be tools available to help navigate this challenge, but there were not many options. This led to 2 objectives. Researching and collecting data globally to fuel the global conversation regarding the problems parents and young people are facing today. And creating tools to help parents and communities guide children through our brave new tech world. The first of such tools is called MYPAX. MYPAX is a messaging application with technology in the background scanning for problematic behaviour. Born in Venezuela, raised on the East Coast of the States, and after 12 years in London, Ana is now based in Switzerland with her husband and children.
Krystle M. Dookie is a proud stay-at-home mom and homeschooling enthusiast, who resides on the picturesque islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Seven years ago, she made the challenging yet necessary decision to leave her successful career at its pinnacle to provide her daughter with a nurturing and personalized education that aligned with her vision of the ideal upbringing. Having worked in marketing and brand development for over a decade, Krystle’s journey took an unexpected turn when she founded a local children’s club focused on paleontology. Transitioning from a marketing executive to an educator, she offers engaging and screen-free activities and fosters a love for hands-on learning and scientific discovery. This path allowed her to witness firsthand how excessive screen time can deprive children of their childhood and hinder the development of vital life skills. While she recognizes technology as a valuable tool in the modern world, she firmly believes that screens should never replace genuine real-life experiences. Krystle eagerly continues to explore innovative approaches to education, seeking collaboration with like-minded parents, and sharing her insights and experiences. Her ultimate goal is to empower parents with the knowledge and resources necessary to create a balanced and enriching educational environment for their children. Through her endeavors, she aims to make a positive difference in the lives of families and contribute to developing a generation that embraces both the benefits of the digital age and the irreplaceable value of real-world experiences.
USA AMBASSADORS
Anna Wight, CNHP, has a creative background in photography, holds a certification as a Natural Holistic Professional, and is a wife and mom to six beautiful children. In an attempt to find wellness in her own body she authored a cookbook, and built a thriving wellness business. She understands the importance of connecting the dots between the mind, body, and spirit and enjoys bringing that to life for other families. Anna is an advocate and cheerleader for parents making intentional steps toward their child’s mental and physical wellness.
After 14 years, Chris Gonzales resigned from the FBI when he realized the biggest war we are in is for the hearts and minds our children. As a pastor and father, Chris has committed to fight back against the culture and launched GoodTube Kids, a safe place for kids online.
Suzanne Strader has spent over 20 years in K-12 education as a classroom teacher and school administrator. Through her work with kids, she recognized technology’s impact on their health and development. This prompted her to dig in and focus her career on how to create healthy tech habits for kids and families. She is currently a 4th-year doctorate student researching how entertainment technology influences children’s attitudes, friendships, and behavior. She lives in Lake Havasu City, AZ, with her husband of 19 years. She continues to enjoy the adventure of parenting two teenage daughters.
I am a Mom of one super awesome little boy who is 5 years old. Looking to connect with other families who want to give their kids the best childhood possible. I love anything outdoors–hiking, camping, gardening, golf or just sitting by the pool on a hot summer day!
*COMING SOON*
Emily has been an occupational therapist since 2011. She specializes with those who are autistic and is passionate about helping families connect without screens. Emily sees the challenges that screens cause in this world today and truly believes everyone needs less screens in their life, especially those that are neurodiverse since their brains are more susceptible to the negative effects of the screens.
Emily has ADD and a son who is very sensitive to being pulled in with screens. She has raised her kids with very restricted screen usage.
Adrienne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker working within the field of Nephrology as a Renal Social Worker. She is the mother of two teenagers and joined the ScreenStrong community in 2020 after struggling to find support and guidance to help her family’s toxic use of screens. Adrienne is committed to sharing ScreenStrong’s message and supporting other families to reclaim their family’s connections.
With a degree in Psychology and a Masters in Education, Johanna boasts an illustrious 18-year career in public education. She is a fervent lifelong learner and a staunch advocate for health and wellness. As the visionary behind Navigate Menopause, her mission is to support women navigating the challenges of menopause through counseling and fostering a sense of community.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Johanna finds immense joy in two other passions: travel and surfing. Her adventurous spirit has taken her to extraordinary places, allowing her to explore the world’s beauty and cultures.
In addition, Johanna dedicates herself to her heartwarming passion project, Mar Y Lana. Here, she collaborates with skilled artisans in Colombia, employing traditional, slow-fashion practices to design exquisite textiles. Simultaneously, she strives to give back to the artisan community, nurturing sustainable partnerships that enrich lives and empower communities. Johanna’s journey is one of unwavering commitment to personal growth, well-being, and the betterment of others.
Becky Grant is a former elementary school teacher with 11 years of teaching experience in both Southern California and London, England. She is the mother of two boys ages 8 and 11. After raising her sons for 5 years in the United Kingdom she was excited when her husband was offered a job in the Silicon Valley, thinking it would be a great opportunity for her sons to develop 21st century computer skills. What she found was the opposite. Instead of exposure to advanced coding and robotics her children were given access to learning games (edutainment) with very little actual learning occurring. After a year of pandemic-related virtual learning, she became concerned when her sons no longer wanted to play outside or go hiking with the family. All they could talk about was their next gaming session. That’s when she found ScreenStrong and took away the games. Now, her sons are thriving and she has become a passionate advocate of the ScreenStrong lifestyle.
Mom, Advocate for People (Young and Old) – Quality Living and Care, CEO and Founder of Advocate Legal Alliance PC
Janine McKenna is a credentialed school counselor and teacher who has worked with middle school students in Los Angeles County for more than a decade. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts and a master’s degree in Counseling. Seeing students and families struggle with social media, gaming, and technology, Janine feels empowered by ScreenStrong’s bold message and wants to support families with raising their kids without toxic screens. She lives with her husband and their two elementary school-aged children in Los Angeles.
Saving our children’s brains and future generations from toxic screens is such a strong purpose I believe in. If I can help my own kids avoid the path of toxic screens and other families, it would be incredibly intrinsically rewarding.
*COMING SOON*
Debbie is a family coach passionate about educating parents on the dangers of screens for our children.
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in Westlake Village, CA and have been treating children and adolescents for 12 years. I have seen the progression of the impact screens have had on families and have worked to educate parents on the brain science and how to reset their children’s brains. I have two children (6 and 4 years old) and besides TV, we are screen-free. I’m practicing what I preach and am passionate about spreading awareness and mission and message of ScreenStrong.
Ashlie Steele has a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology & Counselor Education from the University of Colorado Denver. She is a co-founder and trustee of a local education ministry serving elementary-aged students, works with teens in a local Young Life ministry, but most importantly, she is a mom who is passionate about educating fellow parents/caretakers about the rapidly changing digital world and it’s impact on our children.
Giselle began her career 20 yrs ago as a Telemetry nurse and had many years as an Informatics RN implementing electronic medical records for hospital systems in CT. In her most important role as a mom, she is dedicated to ensuring her kids are making good choices to support their physical, emotional, social & mental health. She has a daughter in 6th grade, a son in 11th grade and a stepdaughter in her 1st year at University of New Hampshire.
Giselle’s husband is the SRO in their school system and had retired from the State police after 20 years. While maintaining confidentiality, he has shared that some level of screens has been a factor in every situation in middle school and high school. This unfortunate trend is being seen across the nation.
She acknowledges technology is great when it is used as a tool, and she can appreciate the many advances technology brings to healthcare and everyday life. However, we now have endless studies that are showing the damage screens have had on our children… their academics, relationships, and their mental health.
For 10 years, she had been looking for solutions for her own family on how to limit screen battles by doing her own scattered research; listening to podcasts, reading articles and viewing websites. She became certified last year and as a Screen Strong Ambassador she is excited to share information and provide support on how to win the biggest parenting challenge in our culture.
COMING SOON
Since embarking on my tech career in 2011, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of technology. Yet, I’ve grown increasingly concerned with its trajectory, often diverging from its potential to enhance our human experience. As a father of two young boys, my aspiration is for them—and their generation—to lead lives enriched by technology, not enslaved by it. I have my own backstory from over consumption to finally bringing balance into my life that I want to share with others.
Kelly lives in Bishop, Georgia on a farm with her husband and two small children. Her background is in Early Childhood Education, but now works part time for a financial advisor. Kelly’s goal is for her children to have a childhood free of screen addiction and learn how to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. They spend most of their time outside working on the farm in the garden or with animals. Kelly is passionate about sharing the science behind screen addiction and educating parents with solutions.
I am an elementary school library media and instructional technology specialist with almost 30 years of experience, a parent of two successfully launched sons, and perhaps most important, a life-long learner and seeker. I invite you to embark on a journey with me where I blend professional insight with personal experiences to help others navigate their relationships with screens and the pervasive allure of addictive technology. My focus is on educating families about screen use in children and how to establish healthy screen habits from an early age.
I have been married to the love of my life for 20 years. We have 5 children that we try to parent intentionally with the goal of raising future adults with the capacity to think independently, love well, and serve sacrificially. Our family is okay with being considered countercultural–although this is not the goal in and of itself. My background is education, and I previously taught sixth-eighth grade students before we began having our own children. I currently spend my days homeschooling our five children as we pursue a classical education with the goal of integrating facts and ideas while simultaneously showing them that all things are able to teach and grow them. Ultimately, we desire to train them to be wise leaders and thinkers. Reading, baking, and spending time with family and friends are other ways I enjoy spending any time that is leftover after fulfilling the role of domestic engineer in our home. Through personal experience, I have seen the profound danger to our children of toxic screens and violent media. My husband and I have become passionate to learn as much as possible about this and to educate as many as will listen about how truly detrimental toxic screen use can be to the development and future success of a whole generation.
*COMING SOON*
Sarah lives with her husband and two children in the Fox River Valley, an hour west of Chicago. She has a Master of Arts and teaching certification in Elementary Education. She’s a full time mom who subs occasionally at the preschool level. She is passionate about protecting children from harmful screens and screen addiction, and instead giving them a life filled with authentic relationships, community, play, nature and life skills. She loves time with family and friends, music, travel, the outdoors, and protecting the environment. She also loves the Screenstrong lifestyle for her family and is happy to have the chance to help others on this journey!
Like many families, Laura’s family experienced a screen usage takeover at the beginning of the pandemic. Between remote schooling and virtual play dates, her two school age children were on screens more than ever before. By June of 2021, her children’s screen usage was out of control. Summer seemed like the perfect time to unplug. After a few weeks she sold all their devices and hasn’t looked back. Laura has seen first hand how family connections can be renewed when screens are removed; she is passionate about sharing ScreenStrong’s message to delay toxic screens with families who are parenting special needs, foster and adopted children. Laura and her family can often be found playing UNO and enjoying chips and salsa at her favorite Mexican restaurant outside of Chicago, IL.
*COMING SOON*
I am the dad of 3 kids, and have spent all of my adult life in full time ministry working with students, Kids through College students. I love Jesus deeply and feel the way we choose to lead our lives in front of our families and the world around us should be a direct reflection of Jesus Command in Matthew 5:16, to be the Light to the dark world.
I strive to be a Godly husband and father, to be the light and love of Jesus to all I come in contact with, and be known as a man of integrity. Our culture is deeply divided, and students are having all these outside voices telling them what to believe, how to believe, how to think. I aim to help students live different and see the world through a biblical lens as instructed in Romans 12:2
Christi is an attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has experience in both civil and criminal law. It is apparent that the law as it relates to technology and media simply cannot keep up as it is ever-changing . In addition, as a new mother, her main goal is to keep her child healthy and safe. It is important that she understand what is age-appropriate when it comes to screens and screen time.
Laura Hickman is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Indiana. With her Masters in Clinical Psychology, Laura has spent her entire career working with children, adolescents, and families. It was through her clinical experience that she started becoming aware of the growing problem that screens were having on our children and youth. Laura’s heart is to share that message with parents and families in an effort to not only protect children, but to also prevent the damage that screens have on our mental health. Laura thankfully discovered ScreenStrong while striving to create a workshop for parents about the impact screens were having on their children. She is also a wife to her husband, Andy, and a mother of three girls.
Mandee Hamann is a businesswoman and a former Early Childhood/Elementary pastor with an additional 10 years of youth ministry experience alongside her husband, Jeremy. After her own family struggled with toxic screen issues, Mandee became a ScreenStrong Ambassador and is committed to spreading our delay message. She lives in Iowa with her husband and three children. Mandee has been working with ScreenStrong since 2020.
Mother of 2 amazing children who believe that limited screen time means more a connected and aligned family. Here’s to brining back family game night!
Gretchen is a mom of outgoing and engaged teenage twins. Years before she began developing her own presentations, explaining how screen-based digital media interferes with healthy child development, she was advocating for her own elementary school children’s need to be active and engaged with peers during school vs. playing on school-issued iPads. She organized a large group of parents, spoke to the board of education, organized educational events, served on a digital learning task force, made trips to her state capital and has worked on this topic from many angles. She never saw herself becoming an advocate for a cause, until she saw the manipulative design, persuasive marketing, lobbying and questionable/biased researched the digital media (“tech”) industries were up to. She leads from a place of compassion for parents, educators, students and caregivers who want support in reseting their habits. She understands and is sensitive to how fear, shame and guilt can interfear with our ability to make the changes we desire. She likes to put audiences at ease.
Scott was born and raised in Louisiana. His wife is from Canada and they have 2 beautiful young children. He has been an Entrepreneur and Professional IT Consultant for 25 years. His business and consulting ventures have spanned private and non-profit sectors, from Music education and live event production to Health Care management and Aviation Maintenance, Repairs and Operations.
As a professional, Scott has always valued the strategic use of technology and has specialized in software design, with a keen interest in the human interface. He has designed and deployed dozens of systems throughout the years and continues to leverage technology in professional environments.
While raising his two kids, however, his view is that their brains need to develop naturally and without the constant bombardment of digital interference. As the discussions of “buying a phone” started with his daughter in recent years, he began doing research. His approach was not to tell her “You can’t have one because I said no” – he took more of an educational approach with her.
Alas, he found ScreenStrong and realized he was not alone in his quest. He decided to join the team and be part of a growing movement to educate people about the effects of technology on our society – particularly the young, undeveloped brains of our youth.
Originally from Alabama, and a resident of the DC Metro (DC MD and VA) area since 2004, Ann is married with three children. Ann participates in her community by serving on school and community boards, as well as volunteering charities that serve the most vulnerable.Ann worked in the field of international education since 1996. Living three years teaching in Monterrey Mexico, where she was immersed in Mexican culture and learned to speak Spanish fluently. Currently she is a licensed Realtor, and is known for being a master of resources and problem solving for living in the DC metro area. The commitment to the Screenstrong lifestyle is all about seeking what’s best for our children in an ever changing world.
Sarah Coddington is a School Counselor at Saint Paul Diocesan Jr/Sr High School in Worcester, MA. She has spent her career working with kids and families in mental health agencies, private practice and schools. She is passionate about the Screen Strong message and reclaiming healthy childhoods for children and teens. She has seen firsthand, both personally and professionally, the incredible gift it is for kids, when parents are willing to go counter cultural and raise their children without toxic screen use. She understands that many parents simply haven’t considered a different path when it comes to screens! She lives in Dudley MA, right on the border of Connecticut’s quiet corner, with her husband Steve and their two boys, ages 11 and 15.
Mom of 3, Pediatrician, wife, multicultural
Liz Breen is an Emmy-nominated former children’s television writer & producer, and it was her experience working in children’s media, as well as her husband’s experience as a high school teacher, that ultimately made her so convinced of and devoted to the ScreenStrong message. She and her husband have been raising their two young sons ScreenStrong since birth, and the house is much louder (and happier) for it.
As a mother, I have become increasingly concerned about the digital world we live in. Having studied at Consciously Digital, the only ICF-certified provider of coach training in digital well-being, I’ve learned to recognize the addictive and habit-forming nature of social media and devices. I’ve reflected deeply on my own usage: I didn’t enjoy the time I was spending on my devices and it wasn’t productive for me or my family. I decided to make a change. The economic model behind social media, gaming, and educational technology is problematic. At the earliest ages, our children are mined for data and targeted with unregulated advertising, which is driving a culture of consumerism at the expense of their wellbeing. Families have to work together and act now to prevent more harm. I want to build communities that encourage non-screen time activities (e.g. playtime, exploring nature, exercise) to improve overall well-being and help build healthy, authentic relationships. I believe that we’re all in this together, without judgement. No matter where you are in your journey, let’s create a healthier future for our children.
COMING SOON!
Alejandra is a long-time educator. She has over 20 years of experience in the classroom. Having taught from elementary school all the way through high school since just before the dawn of smartphones, she has been able to witness the rapid decline in student behavior and social skills both in and outside the classroom. She and her husband recently co-founded a high school, Chesterton Academy, in the greater Detroit area. It is in teaching at this school and dealing with discipline issues firsthand as an administrator that she realized, even the best of families struggle with technology use. On her own, she began to research the effects of screens on children when she stumbled upon Screen Strong. She is now passionate about the mission to educate others on this urgent topic. She is married to her best friend and husband David. They live with their three small children in Rochester, MI just outside of Detroit.
I am a Catholic, a Wife, and a Mother. I have worked in the corporate workforce for 20 years and depend heavily on technology to do my job. My children are now 4, and 5 years old and attending preschool at St. John’s Catholic School in Little Canada, MN. I am the School Advisory Board Chair, and was invited to attend an “Educating in a Digital Age” conference with my principal. After this session, I felt proud of some of controls and limitations my husband and I, had enforced on our kids, but mostly petrified of what the future holds for my kids. As technology is advancing so fast, how could I possibly keep up with all the negative influences? Luckily the ScreenStrong presentation provided the solutions! It’s not about being a total tech free home; it’s about removing toxic screens and setting up our home for success. I free extremely blessed to have received this message while my kids are still young enough that I am able to impact their future in a positive way, reset our home now.
I am a wife, mama to 3 and an Early Childhood advocate with a passion to educate children, teens and adults on the use of screens.
Elijah is the founder/coach of Rising Tide Leadership Development. Through Rising Tide he works with businesses and organizations to enhance organizational health. By focusing on better communication and instilling positive team culture, Rising Tide helps improve productivity and effectiveness. This improvement is grounded in each individual finding fulfillment in their role as part of the team. Recently, his wife, Sarah, joined him as a speaker and coach at Rising Tide. Sarah is also a ScreenStrong Ambassador, and together they are working to bring hope to families, childcare centers, and communities throughout Nebraska.
*COMING SOON*
Married to my college sweetheart for almost 30 years, I am a mother of 5 children, aunt of 36, church youth group leader, and child and family advocate. I have seen firsthand the impact of screen addiction on families. Concerned with the rising mental health crisis among our youth, I want to provide tools for individuals and families to thrive in our digital world. With the perspective that even good technology should be a servant, not our master, I am excited to help parents, children, families, and individuals move forward with a healthy relationship with technology.
Ronna has been an educator for over 30 years. Recently retired, Ronna now speaks at schools, conferences and guests on podcasts talking about every aspect of social media safety. Her interactive, humorous and educational talks really change the way parents, educators and students use social media.
I’m a nature and animal lovin’ mama of 2. I currently live in Warwick, NY, with our two girls and my husband, Ed, who is a captain with the FDNY.
I have a degree in Physical Education and a minor in coaching from the University of Central Florida where I also competed as a varsity athlete for 4 years with their division I rowing program. I have competed as a coxswain for the last 20 years with 3 different programs.
I’ve had the privilege of coaching children of all ages since 2000 in gymnastics, swimming, circus and aerial arts, and rowing.
Before raising my own kids, I also had the beautiful opportunity to train animals for 16 years. Everything from dogs to dolphins!
Current hobbies and favorite things: hiking, geocaching, visiting the outer banks, wearing cozy socks, listening to audiobooks because I fall asleep reading print, eating meals I didn’t have to prepare, rowing practices on flat water, doing handstands, reading books aloud with my kids, and training our new lab puppy!
I joined the ambassador team because I’ve seen firsthand what the ScreenStrong lifestyle has done for my own children and want to share that with others. We never had epic screen conflicts – just enough anecdotal evidence of our own that said, “I don’t like how you act when we turn this off”, so we just avoided it and did other things. In April of 2023 a friend send me a ScreenStrong podcast featuring Dr. Stacey with all the recent scientific studies regarding screens and kids’ brains and it confirmed everything my mom gut had told me.
I can’t wait to share our message with your community and bring peace to families that are struggling.
I live in Charlotte, NC and am passionate about learning more about best screen practices and sharing that information with friends around me!
Brady Drummond-Ryan is originally from Watertown, NY. He holds BA in English from Binghamton University (NY) and a Master of Social Work from Florida State University. He has over 40 years’ experience in direct sales, fund raising, public speaking, marketing, training & development and, of course, community service. Brady’s fundraising includes careers with the YMCA, United Way and St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY along with Appalachian State University in Boone, NC and Catholic Charities in Charlotte, NC. After relocating to Charlotte in 1992, Brady worked in the telecommunications industry as a sales consultant for wireless & cellular services, Internet marketing, as well as business telephones and office furniture systems. In January 2001, Brady co-founded Crown Communications Group, providing website design & development for small businesses. Following Crown Communications, Brady worked as a Mortgage Broker for ten years and shifted into community management services during the mortgage meltdown. Always on the lookout to weather career transitions, Brady obtained an NC real estate license and in 2010 partnered to form Insight Realty, Inc., focusing on rental property management and helping buyers purchase homes. Brady returned to his hometown for six months in early 2013 as Administrator to revitalize his mother’s 70-year-old home for aging adults: Angel’s Inn. He returned to the mortgage industry in October 2013 with Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group. After 6 years with ABMG, Brady made a change to work with Certainty Home Loans to better serve his expansive customer base. In October of 2021, Brady’s entire team changed companies with their branch manager to American Pacific Mortgage dba Blue Jean Lender (“the perfect fit for your lending needs”) to provide additional products and services for his customers and referral partners. An Eagle Scout and Scoutmaster, Brady resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife, Myra, of 40+ years.
As a devoted mother, passionate volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, and professional in the field of education, I understand the importance of fostering healthy habits and meaningful connections in today’s digital world. My journey advocating for children’s well-being began in the Boy Scouts, where I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of outdoor exploration and face-to-face interactions. Currently, as a real estate agent, I am honored to guide families in finding not just houses, but homes where they can thrive and grow together. Through my multifaceted roles, I am deeply committed to promoting healthy screen habits and empowering families to create screen-free environments that prioritize authentic connections and enriching experiences.
With Screen Strong, I am excited to combine my passions for community engagement, youth development, and holistic well-being to make a positive impact in the lives of children and families.
Throughout her teaching career, Patricia Gefert noticed how excessive screen use impacted her students’ abilities to maintain focus, self-regulate behavior, and manage social interactions. Patricia shares information about the impact of screen use on children’s cognitive, emotional, social, and physical well-being. She offers healthier alternatives that help children build relationships with their families, their friends, and the real world. She holds a BS in Psychology and a BA in Child Development.
Shona Cortell, M.Ed. has worked as an Elementary School Counselor for over twenty years. She is also a parent of two elementary aged children. She sees the importance of building a strong emotional foundation for children, especially the first five years. She values quality time with her family and feels a child’s relationship with their caregivers is so important. She has seen the negative impact of toxic screen use on children’s academic and social emotional growth. She has also seen the struggles within families who are not screen strong. As a Screen Strong Ambassador she hopes educate and empower parents and caregivers on brain development, help families go back to a play based childhood vs. phone based and to improve the overall mental health of families struggling with toxic screen addiction.
Mary Anne Tierney, RN, MPH, serves as a resource to ScreenStrong on the science and simple solutions for wireless radiation, emitted from all wireless and smart devices, including cell phones. She is the Executive Director of SafeTech NC, a non-profit sharing why and how to use wireless technology safely to preserve our health. Mary Anne is certified as an Electromagnetic Radiation Specialist with the Building Biology Institute. She provides assessments, mitigation, and remote coaching on electromagnetic fields (EMFs) through her Western NC-based company, Blue Ridge EMF Solutions. Mary Anne’s decade working as a psychiatric nurse with patients in early recover from addition, along with her love for her child prompt her passion for our ScreenStrong mission of saving kids from screen addiction. She has specialized in health behavior change for the past 30 years, working at the individual, community, and policy levels, first as a public health educator, then as an RN, and now focused on teaching safer use of technology. Mary Anne has presented at multiple medical conferences on why and how to reduce EMF exposure.
Hello! Married my husband on my 28th birthday in 2007. We spent our first year of marriage living in Barcelona, Spain. After that we moved back to NC where I continued teaching physical education at an elementary school. In 2010 our daughter was born and I stopped teaching to stay home with her. Our son was born in 2012. While my kids are in school you can find me listening to a podcast while doing all the things related to keeping a family going. At about 2:30 I begin my taxi services running kids to and from activities. I found out about screen strong after researching ambassador programs focused on healthy screen habits.
*COMING SOON*
*COMING SOON*
Candice is a nurse practitioner specializing in pediatrics, a lactation consultant, and holds a certification in Plant-Based Nutrition. More importantly she is a wife and mother to 2 awesome kiddos who are the light of her life. Her approach to pediatric healthcare is very holistic, whether dealing with physical or mental health. Candice found ScreenStrong when searching for a screen detox program for patients and found that it perfectly aligned with her care model. She is passionate about the effects of screens on the pediatric population and committed to spreading the ScreenStrong message.
Hilary is a licensed clinical social worker, mental health therapist, and mom to two daughters. Her journey of researching how screens affect our brains and our lives started three years ago when she recognized the negative impact and toxic toll screens were having on her own children and within the lives of her clients—emotionally, physically and mentally. This led her to cross paths with ScreenStrong and she’s honored to be an Ambassador for such an incredible organization that shares her passion and dedication to reclaiming kids and reconnecting families.
About 5 years ago, I saw the decline in human interactions and decided I needed to do something about it. I created a non-profit called Social Revolution, to provide opportunities for kids and families to have more in-person interactions and less time on screens. I have been studying the effects of screens on our brains and bodies, and I know that I need to continue providing these opportunities, along with helping educate parents in their journey. I have several grandchildren, and I want them to healthy and have “real” friendships!
Jodie Watson is an educator and mom who became familiar with Screenstrong while navigating screen time with her own children. Seeing how exposure to screens impacted her children’s moods and realizing how dysregulated her little ones seemed after screen time gave Jodie pause. After some research on her own, she was fortunate enough to attend a Screenstrong event, allowing her to better understand the impact of screens on childrens’ brains. Armed with this information, Jodie was able to commit to creating a screen safe environment at home. Now she wants to help other families connect with one another without screens and share ways for children and adolescents to develop a healthy relationship with screens.
Lala Franco is a Speech Language Pathologist working at an elementary school in SC. She is also a step mom to 5 boys with ages ranging from 8 to 14 years old and became passionate about the negative effects of technology a few years ago. She is excited to join ScreenStrong in educating parents and teachers on the dangers of technology consumption for children.
Fifth generation educator. B.S. M.A. Ph.D. English Teacher. Coach of 5 sports. Assistant Principal. Principal. Superintendent. Founding Board member of a Christian school. Part-time college adjunct professor. Colson Fellow. Married to Cheryl for over 40 years. Father of Molly and Hannah. Grandfather of Gracelynn, Lily, Norah, Sawyer, and Jude. Church elder. Adult Sunday school teacher. Small group leader.
I am a Mental Health Therapist specializing in Play Therapy for children ages 4-12. I own a group practice which focuses on providing mental health services to individuals, children, teens, adults and families in our community. I also am a wife and a mom to 4 children under the age of 6! I am all about preventative mental health care and providing families with information to best support the mental health of the children in their home. I limit screens in our home and I am excited to spread more education and awareness to others!
Doug is a passionate advocate for ScreenStrong’s message. He has been writing and speaking in harmony with ScreenStrong for several years, most recently in his award-winning book (and audiobook), [Un]Intentional: How Screens Secretly Shape Your Desires, and How You Can Break Free. https://unintentionalbook.com
Doug offers an insider’s perspective on the power of technology, informed by over two decades of software development experience and a lifetime of Bible study. He also brings the practical experience of a dad of four daughters and a man who has struggled, fallen, fought, and by the grace of God, overcome the power of screens.
As a software developer, Doug has served Fortune 500 companies, startups, universities, government agencies, and media personalities. He’s currently an Android-focused engineer with Covenant Eyes, the best company around in the battle against pornography.
Doug loves to help individuals and families break free from screen addiction so they can live out their God-given purpose.
Anneka is the mother of four boys, an educator by trade, a lover of books, plants, the outdoors, and a passionate supporter of screen-free activities.
Madlin is an ex-lawyer turned Digital Wellness Educator and Coach, she equips and encourages families to prioritize real life over screen time. She has two members of GenZ at home so she’s still in the trenches of parenting and contending to practice what she preaches!
She coaches one-on-one and groups of moms on how to achieve Screen/Life balance and raise healthy digital natives. Madlin is an activist for the Unplugged Family movement that she co-founded to replace digital distraction with family connection. Madlin believes in freeing the “Anxious Generation” through creating a community of digital immigrant parents aspiring and to raise their digital natives well. Madlin and her husband Mark have been married for 32 years. They have two children, one still a teen. They live in Texas.
Madlin is also a Gallup certified StrengthsFinder Coach and uses the CliftonStrengths assessment to help adults and teens discover their natural talents. Coaching with this tool Madlin helps teens develop a solid identity based on how they naturally think, feel and act at their best.
Since November 2020 Dian Gibson has enjoyed volunteering with ScreenStrong—from editing documents to attending a conference and speaking to parents about their screen time struggles. Dian has a passion for ScreenStrong and loves helping and supporting parents in their individual journeys. In addition to ScreenStrong, she volunteers with her church and has held multiple positions within her daughter’s American Heritage Girls troop. Dian Gibson is the mother of three children and lives in Texas.
I am a Byzantine Catholic mom of four, Texan, traveler, artist, and lover of good conversation, great books, gardening, and being outdoors.
Melissa Thompson got her degree in biology from Baylor University in 2001. She worked at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas in the Department of Urology for two and a half years doing extensive in-vitro & in-vivo gene therapy research on prostate cancer bone metastasis. Her research in prostate cancer resulted in her authoring two articles based on these findings. She then spent a year and a half doing research in the Department of Cell Biology at U.T. Southwestern.
She then worked at Covenant Health System in Lubbock, Texas for five years where she worked on the Process Improvement Team and where she obtained her Black Belt in Six Sigma and Six Sigma Lean training to improve hospital-wide processes. Melissa’s passion for working with physicians lead her to work in Covenant’s Physician Services and Business Development Department. Melissa then went on to be Covenant Health System Continuing Medical Education (CME) Administrator since November 2010, where she utilized her knowledge of process improvement to develop a successful CME program, accredited by the Texas Medical Association.
Currently, Melissa is a wife to her husband Greg and a mother to her one 11 year old daughter. In 2023, she obtained her training to become a biblical parenting coach and a certified ScreenStrong Ambassador to help positively impact current and future generations.
Crystal M. Obey is a wife of 22+ years and homeschooling mother of 5. With strong values of nurturing authentic learning, exploration, and experiences, Crystal has championed healthy screen practices in the lives of her family from day one.
As a video game free home with no smart devices for their children, they opt for a spectrum of fun and engaging activities that help their children flourish for life and deepen the bonds of their tight-knit family.
With two children approaching their teen years, Crystal widened the circle, found her tribe of support, and reinforced her values when she stumbled upon the ScreenStrong community. With her day-one conviction, ScreenStrong resources, and super-mommy cape, Crystal has burst into action, crusading the message of help, hope, and freedom to parents and children everywhere.
She holds a masters degree in Life Coaching & Mentoring and is a doctoral candidate in Pastoral Care. Crystal and her husband, Anthony, teach digital marketing and entrepreneurship to families online and live in Dallas, Texas.
Sandy is a fiction author familiar with social media and its negative impact on kids and adults. She has twin boys going into junior high and has seen how gaming takes away all their other interests. Since becoming ScreenStrong, her kids are reading more, they’re more creative, and they’re a happier family.
I am a Registered Nurse who currently stays home with my 4 kids. My husband and I fell into the gaming world with my oldest for almost 2 years. We saw ALL the red flags and ignored them. I stumbled upon ScreenStrong while listening to another podcast. I was shocked by all the research and I can’t help but want to spread this information to all of my community. ScreenStrong has given me permission to get rid of toxic screens forever and replace it with healthy habits for my kids brains.
I am a mom of three boys, two teens and one adult. I have a background in childcare and Montessori and have enjoyed coaching parents for the last four years in positive discipline. My focus is on positive psychology, and I’m passionate about helping parents raise resilient, screen-free children.
Mary is a wife and mother of a six year old son who is passionate about sharing the effects of toxic screen use. She developed a severe screen addiction in 2011 that lasted for several years. She is now 100% sober from technology that is not necessary for functioning. She counsels with others, leads 12 step meetings for other recovering addicts and works her own daily recovery program. She also saw that her six year old was developing physical withdrawal symptoms even with limited screen time. Her son has been screen free at home since the fall of 2021 and he now engages with learning soccer, reading, LEGO’s, learning the piano and playing outside with friends.
I am a wife, mother, grandmother and educator. I am passionate about helping others live happy and healthy lives through natural and holistic practices. I believe in a simplistic lifestyle that is not burdened by too much multitasking.
Peter Ryan is a happily married Catholic husband and father of four who in his free time is focused on spreading awareness regarding the negative impact of excess screen based personal technology use (video games, smart phone, social media, streaming media and pornography), particularly on youth and young adults. Starting around 2014 and as a result of a serious issue in his family, he began an unplanned journey where he met with and talked to numerous medical personnel, subject matter experts, neighbors, friends, family, coworkers, and parents about screen based personal technology utilization (PTU). Each of these groups and his own research and observations have revealed to him, in one fashion or another, that the screen based technology we are using in our lives is having second and third order effects over us that we don’t fully understand and can in some cases be extremely negative. He gives presentations in the Diocese of Arlington Virginia on these screen-based impacts and provides a roadmap for parents and those in distress to move forward. As a retired Navy Captain, he authored “Technology, the New Addiction,” which was published in the September 2018 edition of the U.S. Navy Journal “Proceedings.” His efforts as a ScreenStrong Ambassador will help bring even greater awareness to these issues and help more families and young people navigate the challenges associated with this increasingly digitally connect world.
*COMING SOON*
I live in Richmond, VA with my husband of 49 years. Johnny and I have two married daughters and 8 grandchildren ranging in age from 7 to 20. I was introduced to Screen Strong in the fall of 2022 when one of my daughters mentioned that she thought I would find the podcasts interesting. The Screen Strong podcasts were very informative and opened my eyes to the growing concerns about toxic screens and the challenges that children and teens are facing as they grow up in a screen filled world. Screen Strong provides the much needed information, education and encouragement that today’s parents (and grandparents) need. After attending a day long Screen Strong workshop in October of 2023, I knew I wanted to help spread this important information. I have taught various things throughout my life – including elementary school, tennis, sewing, Bible studies, aerobics, prisoner reentry classes and more. I’m delighted to enter into another season of “teaching” by serving as an Ambassador for Screen Strong.
Emily lives close to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with her husband and two elementary aged boys. She has been following a Screen Strong lifestyle for her family since 2019. She sought to stop the screen battles in her house and disciple her sons to be the best version of who they were created to be. Emily believes typing, not swiping, is a computer skill her children will need to learn in time. Until then she encourages and supports her sons in organized sports, reading books, playing piano, working hard at school, developing friendships and isn’t bothered when they say, “Mom, I’m bored.” Family game nights, movie nights and evening walks are a part of her family’s culture while social media, video games, smart phones and tablets are not.
Melissa Porcaro, OTR, SIPT is a 1990 graduate of The Houston Medical Center branch of Texas Woman’s University’s Occupational Therapy program. She is Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) certified, a two-time pediatric practice business owner, and a mom of three amazing young adults. She has over 37 years of experience in the field of Occupational Therapy working with children and families addressing developmental delays and behavioral challenges. She is level 1 certified by Nicholas Kardaras on Tech Addiction & Digital Health and has been involved in Sheep-Dog training which is a Faith Based Security training for churches and schools to address the increasing violence that has been linked to violent media. She currently owns CAN Do Kids Pediatric Therapy Practice in Richland, Washington named in honor of her children Clayton, Anthony, and Nicole. Clayton and Nicole attend the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York and Anthony is a graduate of Washington State University who recently transitioned from medical sales to Import/Export internationally. Over the years, her therapy practice has evolved from addressing developmental delays to behavioral and learning challenges associated with lifestyle changes impacted by media and screen use. The increased time spent in front of a screen is preventing the development of higher-level skill acquisition and impacting orthopedic and neurologic impairment. As a mom, she has experienced firsthand the negative behaviors associated with excessive media use and the impact this has on the developing brain.
Katy Trulock has been a speech-language pathologist in an educational setting for the past 13 years. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and three amazing children, ages 10, 9, and 6. Katy has a passion for educating parents and teachers about the effects of screens and technology on our children inside and outside the classroom.
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Join us and become a catalyst for positive change!
As a ScreenStrong Ambassador, you have the power to inspire others to break free from harmful screen habits and embrace a healthier, more connected lifestyle.