From Lunch Shaming to Looksmaxxing: A Parent's News Roundup

From Lunch Shaming to Looksmaxxing: A Parent's News Roundup

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" [https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/school-bullying-lunch-shaming-c6eb5a4b] • California Senate Bill SB 1247 and children's digital privacy rights [https://www.ivpressonline.com/news/california-senate-passes-right-to-delete-bill-to-protect-children-of-social-media-influencers/article_6b570c3d-4f58-4cb0-976f-e034a6facd87.html] • Sweden's public health guidance on parental phone use [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/01/sweden-urges-parents-to-restrict-phone-use-around-children] • Kentucky School District social media settlement [https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/social-media-addiction-kentucky-meta-settlement-school-district] • New York Times reporting on how social media apps hooked teens at school [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/us/social-media-schools.html?searchResultPosition=1] • Tech Transparency Project reporting on Meta and influencer partnerships [https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/articles/meta-deploys-momfluencers-to-counter-child-safety-criticism] 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://momuncharted.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://parentsuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://parentsuncharted.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted [https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

How To Talk to Your Kids About Consent & Boundaries with Sex Educator Kathleen Hema

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 [https://kathleenhema.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/starterpack] (it's free) to learn the exact script to say.  IG: https://www.instagram.com/thekathleenhema/ [https://www.instagram.com/thekathleenhema/] TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thekathleenhema [https://www.tiktok.com/@thekathleenhema] YT: https://www.youtube.com/c/KathleenHema [https://www.youtube.com/c/KathleenHema] Connect with Sarah Adams: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://momuncharted.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://parentsuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://parentsuncharted.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted [https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

What Parents Need to Know About Online Gambling Culture with Rob Minnick

*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/ [https://www.odaatgamblingawareness.com/] YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@OdaatGamblingAwareness [https://www.youtube.com/@OdaatGamblingAwareness/videos]  Connect with Sarah Adams: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://momuncharted.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://parentsuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://parentsuncharted.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted [https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Digital Literacy in an AI World with Jeremy Carrasco

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/ [https://www.riddance.ai/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyfindsai/ [https://www.instagram.com/jeremyfindsai/]  Connect with Sarah Adams: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://momuncharted.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://parentsuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://parentsuncharted.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted [https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Why Reality TV Star Cortney Hendrix Sherman Refuses to Put Her Kids Online

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/ [https://www.instagram.com/cortrae/] Connect with Sarah Adams: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://momuncharted.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://parentsuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://parentsuncharted.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted [https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]