Episode 118: Before the Ban: Screens & Social Media with Jo Orlando (author of Generation Connected)

Parenting in a digital world can feel overwhelming – especially with constant talk of screen time, social media, and bans that seem to change every five minutes. In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, I’m joined by Dr Jo Orlando, researcher and author of Generation Connected: How to Parent in a Digital World at Every Age and Stage.

Jo has spent the last 15 years in Australian homes, schools, and communities – from big cities to very remote towns – watching how real families actually use technology. Her work shows that it’s not just the devices or apps themselves that matter, but how we use them, why we use them, and what our kids’ brains are doing at each age and stage.

Together we unpack her framework of the three forces of digital parenting –

1. Brain development

2. Tech design

3. Social context

…and how these three pieces help us move away from “just limit screen time” and towards practical, realistic strategies that protect our kids and our relationship with them.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why blanket advice like “just limit screen time” doesn’t work – and what to focus on instead

• The difference between screen time and screen quality, and why 30 minutes isn’t always equal

• How tech use looks different at every age, from babies through to older teens

• The special role tech can play for neurodivergent kids, including social connection and success online

• What to look for in apps, games, and shows that might be overstimulating for younger or sensitive kids

• Simple ways to support your child’s transition off screens (and why some kids need a few quiet minutes to “re-enter” the offline world)

• How Jo’s three forces framework can help you problem-solve tricky situations – like tracking apps, Fortnite arguments, and social media drama

• The impact of our own tech habits as parents, right from baby feeding days through to the teen years

• Alternatives to using screens as our only calming/waiting strategy – and how to build more tools into your parenting toolkit

• The upcoming social media ban in Australia, why it hits 14–15 year olds hardest, and how to talk with your teen about FOMO, validation, and friendship

Jo also shares powerful real-life stories from Australian families (with names changed), showing that there isn’t one “right” way to parent around tech – there are many paths that can work, once you understand what’s going on underneath.

If you’ve ever worried you’re “doing it wrong” with screens, or felt stuck between fear-based headlines and “she’ll be right,” this episode will help you feel more informed, more confident, and more connected to your child in our digital world.

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