Parents Uncharted

Ray-Ban Meta glasses are being sold as stylish, convenient and increasingly inevitable. But when an ordinary-looking pair of glasses can record the people around you, who is responsible for consent, and who carries the risk?

In this solo episode of Parents Uncharted, Sarah examines the growing normalization of camera-enabled smart glasses and why parents should be paying attention. Unlike a phone held up to record, smart glasses can remove the social cues that tell us a camera is present, leaving children, families and other bystanders unaware that they may be captured.

Sarah explores why a small recording light cannot replace meaningful consent, what these devices could reveal about a child’s identity and daily life, and why wearable cameras are entering a world where women and girls are already disproportionately recorded, sexualized, stalked and harassed.

She also discusses the influencer economy surrounding Ray-Ban Meta glasses, including Kylie Jenner’s partnership with the brand and the growing number of influencers and momfluencers presenting surveillance technology as fashionable lifestyle content.

In this episode, Sarah discusses:

• Why face-worn cameras create a fundamentally different consent problem

• Why children cannot meaningfully consent to being recorded by strangers

• How seemingly harmless recordings at daycares, playgrounds, pools and sporting events can expose other children

• The future risk of combining wearable cameras with facial-recognition technology

• Why women and girls may experience disproportionate harm

• How celebrity and influencer partnerships make surveillance feel stylish, harmless and inevitable

• What schools, childcare centres, camps and sports facilities should consider

• What parents model when adults criticize children’s technology use while placing even more technology on their own faces

This is not an argument against every possible use of assistive technology. It is a demand that convenience never come at the expense of children’s privacy, women’s safety or our collective right to move through the world without unknowingly becoming someone else’s next viral video.

Chapters

(00:00) Why Sarah is talking about Meta glasses

(01:40) Surveillance technology disguised as fashion

(02:05) The central problem: meaningful consent

(03:20) Why the recording light is not enough

(05:00) What strangers could capture about your child

(07:20) Accessibility benefits and the need for nuance

(09:10) The troubling daycare recording example

(10:35) Data collection and the facial-recognition future

(12:05) Why women and girls face greater risks

(13:25) The hidden human reviewers behind wearable AI

(14:55) Kylie Jenner and the influencer normalization of surveillance

(17:50) What parents can do right now

(20:55) What are adults modelling for children?

(23:15) Children deserve privacy, consent and digital safety

Connect with Sarah Adams:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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What happens when a child’s disability, diagnosis, medical journey, or private care needs become content online?

In this episode of Parents Uncharted, Sarah Adams is joined by author, speaker, content creator, and disability advocate Sarah Todd Hammer for an honest conversation about disability representation, social media visibility, and the ethics of parents sharing their children’s lives online.

After acquiring a spinal cord injury from acute flaccid myelitis at age eight, Sarah Todd began advocating for disability awareness as a child. Today, she uses her platform to educate others about disability, accessibility, inclusion, and what it means to share your own story on your own terms.

Together, Sarah Adams and Sarah Todd discuss the highs and challenges of being a disabled creator online, the importance of authentic representation, common misconceptions about disability, and why disabled people should be at the centre of conversations that affect their community.

They also examine one of the most difficult questions in the disability community: when does sharing a child’s disability online become exploitation rather than advocacy?

This conversation explores medical privacy, informed consent, caregiving content, online safety, the pressure parents face to seek support, and why awareness should never come at the expense of a child’s dignity.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Sarah Todd’s experience acquiring a spinal cord injury at age eight

• Growing up online and becoming a disability content creator

• The benefits and risks of visibility on social media

• Building boundaries around privacy, location-sharing, comments, and public access

• Why authentic disability representation matters in media

• Misconceptions about disability, independence, happiness, and caregiving

• The return of ableist language online and why it matters

• Whether disabled people are expected to constantly educate others

• The difference between sharing your own disability story and sharing someone else’s

• Parents sharing children’s diagnoses, care routines, hospital visits, and medical histories

• Why “raising awareness” can become a justification for violating a child’s privacy

• How parents can seek community, funding, and support without making their child content

• Why disabled adults’ perspectives should lead conversations about disabled children

• Social media age limits, online community, and safety for marginalized young people

This conversation is an invitation for parents, caregivers, and anyone who cares about children’s privacy to pause and consider who benefits when a child’s most personal experiences are shared online. Sarah Todd offers an essential reminder that disability advocacy must be led by disabled voices and that dignity, autonomy, and consent should always come before views, validation, or visibility.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction 

(02:12) Sarah Todd’s story: acute flaccid myelitis and disability advocacy

(04:41) Growing up online and finding a public platform

(08:51) The highs and risks of being a disabled content creator

(11:02) Online boundaries: safety, privacy, and the block button

(14:41) Negative comments, Reddit, and being recognized in public

(18:02) Why disability visibility and representation matter

(22:32) The harmful myths society still believes about disability

(28:41) When parents make a child’s disability into online content

(30:23) Caregiving, intimate moments, and informed consent

(37:39) Seeking support without violating a child’s privacy

(41:40) Why sharing your own disability story is different

(44:01) “What if my child can never consent?”

(46:32) Medical privacy, hospital content, and clickbait culture

(48:49) What disabled adults say about being posted as children

(51:13) Social-media age limits, safety, and marginalized communities

(54:20) Where advocacy ends and exploitation begins

About Sarah Todd Hammer

Sarah Todd Hammer is a published author, speaker, content creator, and disability advocate. At age eight, she acquired a spinal cord injury due to acute flaccid myelitis, a neurological condition that can cause sudden weakness and paralysis.

Since childhood, Sarah Todd has used storytelling and advocacy to raise awareness about disability, accessibility, inclusion, and representation. She began by co-authoring books with a close friend who has a similar disability and later expanded her work through writing, speaking engagements, and social media.

Today, she creates thoughtful, accessible content about disability, daily life, advocacy, and the importance of respecting disabled people’s autonomy, privacy, and lived experience.

Connect with Sarah Todd 

Website:https://www.sarahtoddhammer.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahtoddhammer

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SarahToddHammer 

Connect with Sarah Adams:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Youth sports are supposed to build confidence, resilience, teamwork, and a lifelong love of movement but somewhere between travel teams, year-round training, private coaching, highlight reels, athlete branding, and the pressure to earn a scholarship, many families are asking the same question:

Have youth sports become too serious, too soon?

This week on Parents Uncharted, Sarah is joined by Dr. Jeremy Alland, a sports medicine physician, sports dad, former collegiate athlete, and team physician for the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox.

Together, they unpack the professionalization of childhood sports and what happens when kids are treated like future recruits, brands, or mini-professional athletes before they have had the chance to simply enjoy playing.

They discuss the rising pressure on parents; the financial reality of elite sports, early specialization, overuse injuries, burnout, scholarship culture, youth athlete social media accounts, and why a child’s identity should never depend on their performance.

Most importantly, Dr. Alland shares a practical reminder for parents: youth sports can still be a wonderful part of childhood, but we need to play the long game.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why youth sports feel more intense than they did a generation ago

• The pressure to specialize in one sport at younger and younger ages

• Why “my child only wants to play one sport” may not tell the full story

• How parental tone, praise, anxiety, and expectations can shape a child’s relationship with sport

• The injury risks associated with year-round training and early specialization

• The rising financial cost of travel sports and private coaching

• The problem with turning young athletes into personal brands online

• Highlight reels, livestreamed games, “mic’d up” kids, and the privacy concerns parents should consider

• Whether kids really need social-media accounts to get recruited

• How to help children stay active, healthy, confident, and connected to the joy of sport

Whether your child is just starting out or already deep in the travel-sports world, this episode is not about taking sports away from kids. It is about protecting what makes sports so valuable in the first place: movement, confidence, connection, resilience, and joy. Dr. Alland’s message is simple: slow down, stay intentional, and remember that the goal is not to create a perfect athlete, it is to raise a healthy, happy human who can keep playing for years to come.

Chapters

(00:00) Are youth sports changing childhood?

(01:07) The professionalization of youth sports

(07:08) What youth sports looked like before year-round travel teams

(10:12) “My child only wants to play one sport”

(14:40) What is the real goal of youth sports?

(19:15) Why parents feel more stress than their kids

(23:20) The elite sports funnel starts too early

(25:35) ACL tears, overuse injuries, and burnout

(30:02) What other countries get right about youth sports

(34:50) Scholarships, college admissions, and the cost of chasing sports

(41:40) Youth athlete accounts, branding, and social media pressure

(47:45) Highlight reels, livestreams, and privacy concerns

(56:45) Dr. Alland’s advice for every sports parent

About Jeremy Alland, MD

Dr. Jeremy Alland is a board-certified sports medicine physician at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and an Assistant Professor at Rush University Medical Center. He serves as a team physician for the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox and has worked with athletes across professional, collegiate, high-school, and youth sports.

A former collegiate baseball pitcher and sports dad himself, Dr. Alland uses his platform to help families think more critically about early specialization, injury prevention, athlete development, and the growing pressure surrounding youth sports. Through his Play the Long Game platform, he encourages parents to prioritize long-term health, joy, and sustainable participation over short-term performance.

Connect with Jeremy 

Website: https://jeremyallandmd.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyallandmd/ 

Connect with Sarah Adams:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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What happens when a child is raised as content, and then grows up in front of the same audience that watched her childhood unfold?

In this episode, Sarah is joined by investigative journalist Kat Tenbarge, author of Spitfire News, for an important conversation about kidfluencer culture, creator exploitation, parasocial audiences, and the attention economy shaping the next generation.

Kat has spent years reporting on internet culture, influencer abuse, online harassment, and the systems that turn children into profitable brands. Together, Sarah and Kat unpack the cultural fallout surrounding Piper Rockelle’s rise to YouTube fame, the allegations made by former members of her “Piper Squad,” and the troubling trajectory from child stardom to increasingly sexualized adult content.

They discuss why these stories are so difficult to talk about responsibly, what happens when children are taught that their relationships, identities, and private lives are part of a business model, and why parents cannot assume that kids who grow up online automatically have strong digital literacy skills.

This episode also explores the broader “kidfluencer-to-OnlyFans pipeline,” the online culture that rewards girls and young women for sexualization, the role of male creators and podcast culture in profiting from and degrading women simultaneously, and why empathy, not condemnation, is essential when discussing young people who have been exploited online.

In this episode:

• Piper Rockelle’s rise as one of YouTube’s most successful child creators

• The blurred line between scripted content, reality, and exploitation in kidfluencer culture

• Why “boyfriend,” cheating, and sexualized storylines were so profitable for child creators

• The psychological impact of growing up with every friendship, conflict, and milestone turned into content

• How child creators can become financially responsible for the adults around them

• Why fame, luxury, and viral success can still coexist with isolation and loneliness

• The pressure creators face to produce content across multiple platforms, constantly

• Why so many young viewers struggle to distinguish staged content from reality

• The risks of young audiences following creators as their content becomes increasingly sexualized

• The misleading fantasy of fast wealth promoted through platforms like OnlyFans

• Whether we are witnessing a broader child-creator-to-adult-content pipeline

Most importantly, Sarah and Kat offer a reminder for parents: we may not be able to remove every harmful message from the internet, but we can build stronger relationships with our children, talk openly about what they are seeing, and help them develop the critical thinking skills to navigate digital spaces with more resilience.

Chapters

(00:00) When a Child Creator Becomes an Adult Brand

(03:21) Piper Rockelle’s Rise—and the Early Red Flags

(15:08) Scripted Clickbait, Sexualization & Lost Childhoods

(22:48) The Multimillion-Dollar Business of Kidfluencer Fame

(30:28) The Attention Economy: Why Creators Keep Escalating

(36:39) Young Audiences, Adult Content & the Bop House Effect

(42:50) Is There a Kidfluencer-to-OnlyFans Pipeline?

(51:43) Supporting Victims Instead of Shaming Them

(1:01:11) What Parents Can Do: Digital Literacy, Connection & Conversation

About Kat Tenbarge

Kat Tenbarge is an investigative journalist and the author of Spitfire News, where she reports on internet culture, influencer exploitation, online abuse, politics, and the systems shaping life online. Her reporting has examined major creator scandals, child influencer culture, abuse allegations involving online personalities, and the real-world consequences of platform-driven fame.

Connect with Kat

Website: https://spitfirenews.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kattenbarge/ 

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kattenbarge.bsky.social 

Connect with Sarah Adams:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://parentsuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted

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What are kids actually struggling with today?

In this episode of Parents Uncharted, Sarah sits down with school counselor, speaker, and digital safety advocate Nate Webb to discuss what he's seeing firsthand in schools and communities across the country.

From anxiety and social media to group chats, pornography, AI chatbots, boredom, resilience, and the growing pressure facing young people, Nate shares practical advice for parents trying to navigate childhood in an increasingly digital world.

Together, they explore why connection matters more than control, how parents can build healthier relationships with technology, and why the most powerful tool your child has isn't an app… it's you.

Whether you're raising a child with a smartphone or simply trying to understand the world they're growing up in, this conversation offers hope, perspective, and actionable guidance for modern families.

In this episode:

• Why parents may be more anxious than their children• The surprising ways screens are impacting resilience• What school counselors are seeing with pornography and online content• Why group chats have become a major source of conflict• The role boredom plays in creativity and development• How AI companions are changing relationships• Why connection is still the most powerful protective factor• The simple message every parent needs to hear: you are enough

The digital world may continue to evolve, but one thing remains unchanged: children still need trusted adults who are willing to show up, listen, and guide them. As Nate puts it, you don't need the perfect app or the latest parental control tool to be a great parent. Your presence, your influence, and your relationship with your child matter more than any technology ever could.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(01:15) Meet Nate Webb: School Counselor & Speaker

(03:20) What Adults Misunderstand About Kids Today

(05:00) How Parents Can Start Hard Conversations

(08:00) Body Image, Filters & Social Media

(10:00) What Students Are Struggling With Most

(13:00) Why Kids Need to Feel Uncomfortable Emotions

(15:00) Anxious Parents, Anxious Kids

(20:00) Risky Play, Independence & Resilience

(23:00) The Importance of Boredom

(28:00) Modeling Healthy Tech Habits

(32:00) Group Chats, Gossip & Digital Drama

(34:30) Social Media Bans for Kids: Do They Work?

(36:00) Teaching Digital Literacy at Home

(39:00) Online Validation & Personal Branding

(46:00) Healthy Tech Use Starts With Connection

(48:00) AI Chatbots, Relationships & The Future

(55:00) One Thing Every Parent Should Remember

(57:30) Why Nate Has Hope For This Generation

(59:00) Where to Find Nate Webb

More About Nate

Nate Webb is a school counselor, father, and national speaker known for his work on digital safety and youth resilience. Through his speaking engagements, online content, and work in schools, Nate helps parents cut through the fear and focus on what matters most: connection, communication, and helping kids build the skills they need to thrive.

Connect with Nate Webb:

Website: https://natewebbspeaker.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realnatewebb/

Connect with Sarah Adams:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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If you've ever felt like the digital world is changing faster than parents can keep up, this episode is for you.

In this solo episode of Parents Uncharted, Sarah breaks down some of the headlines that caught her attention recently and explains why they matter for families raising kids in a connected world.

From a new form of cyberbullying known as "lunch shaming" to major lawsuits against social media companies, evolving protections for children featured in influencer content, and growing concerns around teen boys, fitness culture, and unregulated peptides, this episode explores the stories shaping modern childhood right now.

Articles & Topics Mentioned

• Wall Street Journal reporting on "Lunch Shaming"

• California Senate Bill SB 1247 and children's digital privacy rights

• Sweden's public health guidance on parental phone use

• Kentucky School District social media settlement

• New York Times reporting on how social media apps hooked teens at school

• Tech Transparency Project reporting on Meta and influencer partnerships

Throughout the episode, Sarah reminds parents that many of today's challenges aren't simply "the same thing we experienced growing up." Smartphones, algorithms, social media, and constant connectivity have fundamentally changed how children experience bullying, identity, privacy, and peer pressure.

Because when parents understand what's happening, they're better equipped to have meaningful conversations with their kids and help them navigate the digital world with confidence.

Chapters

(00:00) Headlines Every Parent Should Know

(00:48) Lunch Shaming: The New Face of Cyberbullying

(07:30) Why Consent Matters Online

(09:00) Kids of Influencers Get New Privacy Rights

(14:05) Sweden's Warning About Parent Screen Time

(18:00) Social Media Companies Settle School Lawsuit

(20:45) Internal Documents Expose Big Tech Tactics

(23:15) Meta's Use of Influencer Moms

(25:35) Looksmaxxing, Steroids & Teen Wellness Culture

(27:00) Books, Resources & Closing Thoughts

Connect with Sarah Adams:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://parentsuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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If you've ever wondered when to have "the talk," how to answer difficult questions about sex and relationships, or how to prepare your child for a world where pornography, social media, and AI are only a click away, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Parents Uncharted, Sarah sits down with sex educator and content creator Kathleen Hema for an honest conversation about one of the most intimidating parts of parenting: talking to our kids about sex, consent, body safety, relationships, and growing up in a digital world.

Drawing on years of experience teaching sex education and helping parents navigate these conversations, Kathleen explains why waiting for the "perfect moment" often means missing valuable opportunities to become your child's most trusted source of information.

Together, they explore:

• Why so many parents feel unprepared to talk about sex and how to build confidence before the conversation begins

• What age-appropriate sex education actually looks like

• Why children are often exposed to sexual topics earlier than parents realize

• How the internet, social media, and algorithms have changed childhood

• Why proactive conversations matter more than reactive ones

• How to talk about pornography before a child encounters it online

• What parents should do if they discover their child has viewed explicit content

• The role shame can play in shutting down communication

• How family values and beliefs can guide conversations about sex and relationships

• Why consent starts long before discussions about dating and intimacy

• How body autonomy and body safety create the foundation for future consent conversations

• The growing influence of AI companions and chatbots on young people

• Why many teens are approaching relationships, intimacy, and vulnerability differently than previous generations

• How to talk to children about predators and online safety without creating fear

• The importance of building trust so children feel comfortable coming to parents with difficult questions

Throughout the conversation, Kathleen reminds parents that they haven't "missed the boat." Whether your child is four or fourteen, it's never too late to begin building the trust, communication, and confidence that help kids navigate relationships, online influences, and growing up safely.

Because when it comes to raising kids in a digital world, the goal isn't having one perfect conversation, it's creating a relationship where the conversations never stop.

Chapters

(00:00) Navigating Conversations About Sex and Consent

(02:52) Understanding Parental Hesitations

(05:57) Age-Appropriate Sex Education

(09:09) The Impact of Digital Age on Childhood

(12:08) The Role of Pornography in Education

(14:51) Proactive Conversations and Their Importance

(18:08) Handling Exposure to Pornography

(20:56) The Role of Shame in Sexual Conversations

(31:55) Establishing Values and Beliefs in Parenting

(33:02) The Role of AI in Sexual Education

(34:49) Teen Sexual Behavior and Technology's Impact

(38:59) Understanding Consent and Body Autonomy

(41:58) Navigating Conversations About Predators

(45:08) Building Trust and Open Communication

(47:59) Addressing Hypersexualization in Media

(53:55) Encouragement for Parents to Engage in Conversations

More About Kathleen

Kathleen Hema is simplifying the sex talks for parents. As a former sex ed teacher she saw the disconnect between what parents thought their kids knew about sex versus the questions kids actually asked in the classroom. She wants to help you build your confidence to answer any sex question that your kid asks. She's helped over 10k parents in over 80+ countries to have Top Talks. If you've been thinking it might be time to have the sex talk with your kid, grab Kathleen's Top Talks Starter Pack (it's free) to learn the exact script to say. 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thekathleenhema/

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thekathleenhema

YT: https://www.youtube.com/c/KathleenHema

Connect with Sarah Adams:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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*Disclaimer* This episode mentions suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

If you’ve ever wondered how gambling became so normalized in youth culture, or why sports betting, prediction markets, casino-style games, and gambling content suddenly seem to be everywhere online - this episode is for you.

In this episode of Parents Uncharted, Sarah sits down with Rob Minnick of ODAAT Gambling Awareness, a recovering gambling addict who now uses his platform to educate families, raise awareness, and help others avoid the devastating consequences of gambling addiction.

Together, they unpack the growing gambling epidemic affecting young people today, from betting apps and online casinos to gambling mechanics embedded inside gaming culture, livestreaming and social media algorithms.

Rob shares his deeply personal story of addiction, beginning with sports betting as a teenager and escalating into years of hidden compulsive gambling that ultimately consumed his finances, identity, relationships, and mental health.

This conversation explores:

• How gambling became normalized in youth culture

• Why sports betting is increasingly viewed as “cool” by teens

• The dangerous gaming-to-gambling pipeline

• How influencers, livestreamers, and celebrities profit from gambling promotion

• Why prediction markets are still gambling, even when marketed as “investing”

• The role social media algorithms play in amplifying gambling content

• Why gambling addiction is often called “the hidden addiction”

• Red flags parents should watch for

• The emotional and psychological toll of gambling addiction

• Why gambling addiction carries one of the highest suicide attempt rates of any addiction

• How parents can open nonjudgmental conversations with teens

• What recovery actually looks like

Rob also shares the turning point that changed his life, how he rebuilt purpose through advocacy, and why ignoring gambling problems can deepen shame, secrecy, and isolation for young people.

This is an important conversation for every modern parent navigating a digital world where gambling is no longer confined to casinos, it now lives inside smartphones, sports culture, gaming platforms, livestreams, and social media feeds.

Because protecting kids online isn’t only about social media anymore. It’s also about understanding the systems competing for their attention, money, dopamine, and mental health.

Chapters

(00:00) The Rise of Gambling in Youth Culture

(03:30) When Gambling Stops Being “Fun”

(05:06) Why Gambling Is Called “The Hidden Addiction”

(07:57) The Normalization of Sports Betting

(10:10) Influencers, Livestreamers & Gambling Culture

(15:16) The Gaming-to-Gambling Pipeline

(17:57) How Teens Access Online Gambling

(20:40) What Are Prediction Markets?

(24:01) Social Media Algorithms & Gambling Content

(25:52) Why Economic Stress Fuels Gambling

(27:36) How Parents Should Talk About Gambling

(30:51) Red Flags Parents May Miss

(32:31) The Mental Toll of Gambling Addiction

(35:10) The True Cost of Addiction

(36:47) Rob’s Turning Point & Recovery

(41:35) Finding Purpose After Addiction

(43:11) What Parents Should Do If Their Child Is Struggling

(46:14) Why Gambling Advertising Is So Dangerous

(50:18) What Every Parent Needs to Understand

(52:33) What Rob Would Tell His Younger Self

More About Rob

Rob Minnick, also known online as ODAAT (One Day At A Time) Gambling Awareness, is a gambling addiction recovery advocate and content creator dedicated to helping others avoid the devastating impact of compulsive gambling. After struggling with a severe gambling addiction for six years, Rob now shares his lived experience to raise awareness, support recovery, and encourage meaningful conversations around gambling addiction, mental health, and self-improvement. Through his platform, he provides insight, education, and hope for individuals and families navigating the realities of gambling addiction- one day at a time.

Resources

Website: https://www.odaatgamblingawareness.com/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@OdaatGamblingAwareness 

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If you’ve ever looked at your feed and thought “Something feels… off” this episode is for you.

In this episode of Parents Uncharted, Sarah sits down with media producer and AI analyst Jeremy Carrasco to unpack the rapidly growing presence of AI-generated content online and why so many parents feel overwhelmed trying to navigate it.

From deepfakes and AI influencers to disturbing algorithmic pipelines and AI chatbots designed to simulate emotional connection, Jeremy explains how artificial intelligence is quietly reshaping the internet our kids are growing up inside of.

Together, Sarah and Jeremy discuss:

• why AI content exploded seemingly overnight

• what “AI slop” actually is

• how recommendation algorithms can push users toward increasingly disturbing content

• why children may be seeing MORE AI content than adults

• the growing concern around AI chatbots and kids

• how AI-generated content blurs reality online

• why repost culture and engagement algorithms are making misinformation worse

• whether social media bans or regulations can realistically solve these problems

• the environmental and societal costs of AI

• and why digital literacy matters now more than ever

Jeremy also shares details from one of his most unsettling investigations involving sexualized AI-generated child content and the “algorithmic pipelines” that can quietly connect seemingly harmless content to darker corners of the internet.

But underneath all of this is a bigger question: What happens when an entire generation grows up online while even adults can no longer reliably tell what’s real?

This conversation is nuanced, unsettling, honest and one every parent should hear.

Chapters

(00:00) Navigating AI in the Digital Age

(03:01) The Rise and Fall of Sora

(05:43) Understanding AI Video Platforms

(08:30) Defining AI Slop and Its Impact

(10:35) The Over Saturation of AI Content

(13:37) Distinguishing AI Content from Deepfakes

(18:18) AI Content in Children's Feeds

(20:13) Practical Tips for Parents

(23:56) Identifying AI Videos: Tips for Adults

(31:59) The Algorithmic Pipeline and Its Implications

(39:25) The Role of Moderation Systems

(42:21) Digital Literacy in an AI World

(50:55) Conversations Parents Should Have with Kids

(54:30) The Need for Regulation in AI

(01:00:37) Environmental Impact of AI and Data Centers

More About Jeremy

Jeremy Carrasco is an AI media expert and media literacy educator. He began creating videos under the name ShowtoolsAI in June of 2025 and quickly gained a following for his AI video spotting tips and commentary. An AI industry outsider, his career background was in live-streaming media production, as a former Head of Production at LiveX and exited co-founder of Accessible AV. With a degree in Sound Recording Technology from DePaul University and a long freelance and technical career in video and audio engineering, his skills found a new use in the quickly-growing AI media space.

Resources

Riddance: https://www.riddance.ai/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyfindsai/ 

Connect with Sarah Adams:

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What happens when reality TV fame collides with influencer culture, motherhood, and the growing conversation around children’s privacy online?

In this episode of Parents Uncharted, Sarah sits down with former reality star Cortney Hendrix to unpack the reality TV-to-influencer pipeline, the hidden pressures of content culture, and why she ultimately chose not to share her children online.

Drawing from her firsthand experience on Married at First Sight, Cortney opens up about navigating sudden internet fame before “influencer” was even a career path, the rise of parasocial relationships, and the emotional toll of living publicly online.

Together, Sarah and Cortney explore:

• The reality TV → influencer pipeline and how social media changed everything

• Why family content performs so well online- and the disturbing truth behind it

• The pressure creators face to share pregnancy, babies, and family life for engagement

• Parasocial relationships and the loss of privacy in influencer culture

• Why Cortney stopped showing her children online

• The terrifying comment that changed her perspective on children’s digital safety forever

• How brands, algorithms, and social media platforms reward family content

• The growing cultural shift away from sharenting and family vlogging

• Why “kids are not content” is becoming a larger movement online

• The importance of privacy, informed consent, and protecting children’s digital footprints

Cortney also speaks candidly about backlash, online criticism, losing followers after setting boundaries, and what it means to stay grounded in a culture that rewards oversharing.

This episode is a must-listen for parents navigating social media, influencer culture, online safety, and modern parenting in a digital-first world.

Chapters

(00:00) From Reality TV to Online Influence

(04:40) Navigating Fame and Boundaries

(12:12) The Evolution of Influencer Culture

(20:39) Setting Boundaries in a Digital World

(26:20) Conflict and Resolution in the Public Eye

(28:31) The Shift in Perspective on Parenting Content

(32:43) Navigating the Fine Line of Judgment

(36:45) The Reality of Being a Black Sheep

(39:35) The Ethics of Sharing Vulnerable Moments

(44:40) Understanding Digital Safety for Children

(46:54) Creating Content Without Exploiting Kids

(48:59) Setting Boundaries for Children's Privacy

(51:26) Influencing Change in Parenting Norms

More About Cortney Hendrix 

Cortney Hendrix is a former reality TV personality best known for appearing on the first season of Married at First Sight. Since stepping into the public eye in 2014, Cortney has openly shared her experiences navigating reality TV fame, influencer culture, online boundaries, and motherhood in the digital age. Today, she is outspoken about children’s privacy online and advocates for protecting kids from exploitation in family content and social media culture.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cortrae/

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If you’ve ever wondered whether social media bans are actually the answer to keeping kids safe online, or if they just feel like the answer, this episode is for you.

In this solo episode of Parents Uncharted, Sarah unpacks the growing global push to ban social media for kids and teens, and why, despite understanding the concern, she’s not convinced it’s the solution.

Drawing on emerging policy conversations, real-world examples like Australia’s under-16 ban, and what she’s seeing firsthand as a child safety advocate, Sarah breaks down the complexity of this issue and why a simple “ban” may not address the deeper problem.

Together, we explore:

●      Why social media bans are gaining momentum worldwide

●      What early data from Australia suggests about whether bans actually work

●      Why kids aren’t leaving platforms- they’re learning to work around them

●      The privacy risks tied to age verification, biometric data, and digital ID systems

●      How bans could expand surveillance and impact everyone - not just kids

●      Why restricting access doesn’t fix addictive design or platform incentives

●      The loophole few are talking about: kids still being shared online by parents

●      Why digital literacy, critical thinking, and emotional resilience matter more than ever

Sarah also shares her current perspective on what might be more effective from delaying devices and empowering parents, to pushing for stronger platform accountability and meaningful online safety legislation.

This episode is a reminder that while the risks of social media are real, the solutions aren’t simple and if we focus only on restricting access, we may miss the opportunity to actually prepare our kids for the world they’re growing up in.

Because we can’t put the genie back in the bottle but we can raise kids who know how to navigate it.

Chapters

(0:10) Introduction to Social Media Bans

(2:31) Concerns and Risks

(6:51) Effectiveness of Bans

(10:51) Privacy and Surveillance Issues

(13:41) Impact on Platforms and Children

(18:07) Digital Literacy as a Solution

(19:12) Regulation and Accountability 

(30:59) Conclusion and Call to Action

Liberals Announcement - https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberal-party-vote-on-social-media-age-restrictions-9.7159746

Wab Kinew’s Announcement- https://globalnews.ca/news/11818028/manitoba-social-media-ban-wab-kinew/

Catherine Knibbs Reel- https://www.instagram.com/p/DXcQkFiB4jp/ 

Children First Canada- https://childrenfirstcanada.org/campaign/countdown-for-kids/

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If you’ve ever wondered how to talk to your kids about online safety without scaring them or pushing them away, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Parents Uncharted, Sarah sits down with Fareedah Shaheed (CyberFareedah), a cybersecurity expert, educator, and survivor of online grooming, to unpack what’s actually happening behind the screens our kids use every day.

Drawing from her lived experience and professional background, Fareedah breaks down how online predators operate today, where they show up, how they build trust, and why the way we’ve traditionally taught kids about “strangers online” is no longer effective.

Together, they explore:

• The real mechanics of grooming (and why it often feels “normal” to kids)

• The subtle red flags parents are most likely to miss

• Why connection- not control- is the strongest form of protection

• How disconnection and vulnerability make children more susceptible

• The critical shift from reactive parenting to proactive, relationship-based safety

Fareedah also introduces her SAFE Method, a framework built on Safe Spaces, Accountability, Fun, and Empathy - offering parents a practical, human-first approach to protecting kids online that goes far beyond apps, settings, or screen time limits.

This episode is a powerful reminder that while technology is constantly evolving, the most effective tool we have to keep our kids safe hasn’t changed: our relationship with them.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to Cyber Fareedah

(01:45) Understanding Online Predators

(08:41) The Dynamics of Grooming

(15:56) Recognizing Vulnerabilities and Warning Signs

(29:28) Recognizing Red Flags in Children

(30:12) Creating Safe Spaces for Communication

(32:03) Open Conversations vs. Interrogation

(33:15) Monitoring Digital Activity: Pros and Cons

(34:14) Understanding Gaming vs. Social Media Risks

(37:50) The Collaborative Nature of Gaming

(40:31) Parental Monitoring: Balancing Trust and Safety

(42:40) The Importance of Proactive Conversations

(48:04) The SAFE Method for Online Safety

(51:11) Building Empathy and Connection with Kids

(55:47) Empowering Parents in the Digital Age

Resources 

https://cyberfareedah.com

⁠https://www.instagram.com/cyberfareedah⁠

Free Resource Library (guides for parents): https://cyberfareedah.com/resources

SAFE Method Overview:

https://cyberfareedah.com/safe-method

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