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Episode Summary:
Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Dr. Curtis Finch, Superintendent of Deer Valley Unified School District, about screen time, AI, social media, and why families need to teach and model healthy technology habits as kids grow. Dr. Finch explains how excessive screen time and social media can affect student mental health, anxiety, self-image, and behavior, especially when apps are designed to keep kids engaged.
The conversation also covers practical parent dialogue tips, including how adults can be honest about their own mistakes online and use real examples to help kids understand risk before they experience it themselves. Dr. Finch shares why AI is here to stay, how families and schools can help students use it wisely, and why guardrails around smartphones, social media, privacy, and screen time need to match a child’s age and maturity. The episode closes with reminders for parents and schools to work together, model the behavior they want to see, and keep teaching kids how to use digital tools safely and responsibly.
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