Screens, Teens, and Privilege: Positive Discipline and Tech Limits with Casey O’Roarty

Screens are everywhere — but how do we keep them from taking over our kids’ lives? In this special ally episode, Jaimie sits down with Casey O’Roarty, a positive discipline trainer, parent coach, and host of the Joyful Courage podcast, to talk about raising kids in a high-tech world.

Casey shares practical strategies for balancing independence with safety, building critical thinking skills, setting real limits, and creating a united front with other parents. This candid conversation also weaves in Jaimie and Casey’s personal lives — both are supporting spouses through cancer — and how “life is lifing” for them while they navigate parenting tweens and teens.

You’ll leave this episode feeling less alone, better equipped, and maybe even inspired to hold a family meeting tonight about screens.

🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways

• Screens are a privilege, not a right. With privilege comes responsibility and hard rules.
• Start basic and build up. If possible, begin with a simple phone and add features gradually.
• Model what you want to see. Check your own screen habits and talk openly about them.
• Use “no-phone zones” instead of only time limits. Meals, bedrooms, family movie nights, and cars are good places to start.
• Collaborate with other parents. A united front makes it easier to hold boundaries.
• Validate first, explain second. Teens listen better when they feel understood.
• Add real-life experiences. Independence, chores, sports, and outdoor time help offset tech use.
• Consider monitoring tools. Apps like Bark can give alerts without constant snooping.
• Family meetings work. Create a safe space for kids to contribute to tech rules and solutions.

🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈

Casey O’Roarty is a Positive Discipline Lead Trainer and parent coach, the adolescent lead and co-founder of Sproutable. A mom to a 19-year-old and a 22-year-old, she hosts the Joyful Courage podcast for parents of tweens and teens. Casey is passionate about helping parents show up with connection and consistency so their teens can truly thrive.

🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank!

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🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned

• Casey’s website & coaching: besproutable.com/teens
• Joyful Courage Podcast: Listen wherever you get your podcasts
• Instagram: @joyful_courage
• Facebook Group: “Joyful Courage for Parents of Teens”
• Recommended reading: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt & 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World by Jean Twenge (mentioned in episode)
• Bark monitoring app & Bark Phone: www.bark.us