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Episode Summary:
Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Dr. Rick Surrency, Superintendent of Putnam County Schools, about screen time, social media, AI, and the role parents play in helping kids build healthier habits with technology. Dr. Surrency shares a real example of how excessive screen time can affect a young child’s sleep, attention, mental health, and ability to adjust to school, then explains why families need clear guardrails around devices, social media, and late-night screen use.
The conversation also covers why kids need one-on-one interaction, why phone restrictions in schools can help students reconnect, and why “loud cafeterias” can actually be a good sign that students are talking again. Dr. Surrency also discusses why AI is here to stay, how it can support personalized learning, and why students need privacy protections, age-appropriate tools, critical thinking, and adult guidance. The episode closes with important warnings about sextortion, permanent digital consequences, and why parents, schools, and communities must work together to keep students safe and successful online.
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The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™
