Screen Time, Social Media & Kids with Cat & Nat

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]

Should We Ban Social Media for Kids? A Parent’s Honest Take

If you’ve ever wondered whether social media bans are actually the answer to keeping kids safe online, or if they just feel like the answer, this episode is for you. In this solo episode of Parents Uncharted, Sarah unpacks the growing global push to ban social media for kids and teens, and why, despite understanding the concern, she’s not convinced it’s the solution. Drawing on emerging policy conversations, real-world examples like Australia’s under-16 ban, and what she’s seeing firsthand as a child safety advocate, Sarah breaks down the complexity of this issue and why a simple “ban” may not address the deeper problem. Together, we explore: ●      Why social media bans are gaining momentum worldwide ●      What early data from Australia suggests about whether bans actually work ●      Why kids aren’t leaving platforms- they’re learning to work around them ●      The privacy risks tied to age verification, biometric data, and digital ID systems ●      How bans could expand surveillance and impact everyone - not just kids ●      Why restricting access doesn’t fix addictive design or platform incentives ●      The loophole few are talking about: kids still being shared online by parents ●      Why digital literacy, critical thinking, and emotional resilience matter more than ever Sarah also shares her current perspective on what might be more effective from delaying devices and empowering parents, to pushing for stronger platform accountability and meaningful online safety legislation. This episode is a reminder that while the risks of social media are real, the solutions aren’t simple and if we focus only on restricting access, we may miss the opportunity to actually prepare our kids for the world they’re growing up in. Because we can’t put the genie back in the bottle but we can raise kids who know how to navigate it. Chapters (0:10) Introduction to Social Media Bans (2:31) Concerns and Risks (6:51) Effectiveness of Bans (10:51) Privacy and Surveillance Issues (13:41) Impact on Platforms and Children (18:07) Digital Literacy as a Solution (19:12) Regulation and Accountability  (30:59) Conclusion and Call to Action Liberals Announcement - https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberal-party-vote-on-social-media-age-restrictions-9.7159746 [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberal-party-vote-on-social-media-age-restrictions-9.7159746] Wab Kinew’s Announcement- https://globalnews.ca/news/11818028/manitoba-social-media-ban-wab-kinew/ [https://globalnews.ca/news/11818028/manitoba-social-media-ban-wab-kinew/] Catherine Knibbs Reel- https://www.instagram.com/p/DXcQkFiB4jp/ [https://www.instagram.com/p/DXcQkFiB4jp/]  Children First Canada- https://childrenfirstcanada.org/campaign/countdown-for-kids/ [https://childrenfirstcanada.org/campaign/countdown-for-kids/] 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]

Cyber Expert Fareedah Shaheed: Predators & Online Grooming

If you’ve ever wondered how to talk to your kids about online safety without scaring them or pushing them away, this episode is for you. In this episode of Parents Uncharted, Sarah sits down with Fareedah Shaheed (CyberFareedah), a cybersecurity expert, educator, and survivor of online grooming, to unpack what’s actually happening behind the screens our kids use every day. Drawing from her lived experience and professional background, Fareedah breaks down how online predators operate today, where they show up, how they build trust, and why the way we’ve traditionally taught kids about “strangers online” is no longer effective. Together, they explore: * The real mechanics of grooming (and why it often feels “normal” to kids) * The subtle red flags parents are most likely to miss * Why connection- not control- is the strongest form of protection * How disconnection and vulnerability make children more susceptible * The critical shift from reactive parenting to proactive, relationship-based safety Fareedah also introduces her SAFE Method, a framework built on Safe Spaces, Accountability, Fun, and Empathy - offering parents a practical, human-first approach to protecting kids online that goes far beyond apps, settings, or screen time limits. This episode is a powerful reminder that while technology is constantly evolving, the most effective tool we have to keep our kids safe hasn’t changed: our relationship with them. Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to Cyber Fareedah (01:45) Understanding Online Predators (08:41) The Dynamics of Grooming (15:56) Recognizing Vulnerabilities and Warning Signs (29:28) Recognizing Red Flags in Children (30:12) Creating Safe Spaces for Communication (32:03) Open Conversations vs. Interrogation (33:15) Monitoring Digital Activity: Pros and Cons (34:14) Understanding Gaming vs. Social Media Risks (37:50) The Collaborative Nature of Gaming (40:31) Parental Monitoring: Balancing Trust and Safety (42:40) The Importance of Proactive Conversations (48:04) The SAFE Method for Online Safety (51:11) Building Empathy and Connection with Kids (55:47) Empowering Parents in the Digital Age Resources  https://cyberfareedah.com [https://cyberfareedah.com] ⁠https://www.instagram.com/cyberfareedah⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/cyberfareedah] Free Resource Library (guides for parents): https://cyberfareedah.com/resources [https://cyberfareedah.com/resources] SAFE Method Overview: https://cyberfareedah.com/safe-method [https://cyberfareedah.com/safe-method] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]