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Sep 2024
52m 42s

Episode 295: Kathy Van Benthuysen

Fonz Mendoza
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Navigating Technology and Parenting with Converlation

Today, we're tackling one of the biggest challenges parents and educators face—navigating technology with our kids. I sat down with Kathy Van Benthuysen, co-creator of Converlation, to explore how this incredible tool is helping families and schools foster better communication in the digital age. Trust me, after hearing this, you’ll want to jump on board!

We talk about everything from tech’s impact on kids' social skills to actionable steps parents can take to manage screen time. Kathy drops so many knowledge nuggets you’ll want to share this with every parent and teacher you know! Ready to boost your family’s communication and take control of tech? Let’s get into it!

Timestamps:
0:00 – Welcome to My EdTech Life! 
1:40 – Meet Kathy Van Benthuysen: Her journey in education 
3:30 – What is Converlation? The story behind the name 
6:56 – The tech challenge: Kids losing social skills 
10:00 – How Converlation helps reduce digital dependency 
13:12 – Educating kids about the hidden side of tech 
16:24 – Real talk: The dangers of social media 
20:53 – Empowering parents with tools and knowledge 
24:48 – The emotional toll of screen time on kids 
30:00 – How to guide your kids through safe tech use 
36:20 – Converlation’s vision for the future 
40:24 – Social media and mental health: What parents need to know 
43:17 – Final thoughts: Building stronger connections through conversations 
45:53 – The importance of bringing parents into the tech conversation 
47:38 – Fun questions with Kathy! 

Be sure to check out Converlation and all the incredible resources Kathy mentioned! Free Parent Guide

If you enjoyed this episode, remember to share it with friends and subscribe for more insights from the world of EdTech!

Stay techie!




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