Parenting in a Tech World

Laura Marquez-Garrett left a two-decade Big Law career to become one of the most powerful legal voices fighting for kids harmed by social media — and in March 2026, they helped make history. As counsel of record in the first-ever trial to hold Meta and YouTube liable for harming a child through addictive platform design, Laura joins us to break down what the $6 million verdict actually means, what the companies' own internal documents revealed about what they knew, and why they call this case "a vehicle, not an outcome." If you've been watching the headlines and wondering what it all means for your family, this is the episode you need to hear.

Learn more about Laura, and connect with and follow them on LinkedIn.

Resources and topics mentioned in this episode:
Big Tech Trial
New Mexico Meta Trial
Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism
The Anxious Generation

Chris Tiffany brings a rare dual perspective to his role as Executive Director of Encircle Families — he's both a former special education teacher and a parent of a child with autism. In this episode, Chris shares what his statewide Arizona organization is seeing on the ground when it comes to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their access to technology. You'll walk away with a clearer picture of where the gaps are, how families are finding (and missing) critical resources, and what practical steps you can take if you feel like you're navigating this alone.

Learn more about Encircle Families and connect with Chris on LinkedIn.

James Billig is Chief Compliance Officer at U-ACT (United Against Child Trafficking), a nonprofit equipping law enforcement and communities to fight online exploitation. He shares what officers are seeing on the front lines, how U-ACT's Blue Taskforce is training retired law enforcement to combat child trafficking, and the red flags parents need to watch for as predators evolve their tactics online.

Don't forget to follow U-ACT on Facebook for their daily updates, and learn more about U-ACT by visiting their website.

Dr. Carrie Mackensen is a clinical psychologist, parent coach, and founder of Successful Parent. With 25 years of experience and two boys of her own, she blends neuroscience and attachment theory to help families set healthy tech boundaries. She shares why screens flood kids' brains with dopamine, what happened when her own son secretly played video games during class, and the first step overwhelmed parents should take today.

Learn more about Dr. Carrie by visiting her website, and stay connected by following her on Instagram. Don't forget to subscribe to her Substack!

Juliette Blake, founder and CEO of Moxies, has been building for girls since she was 16. Now, as a millennial mom of three, she's created a safe-by-design social platform exclusively for tween girls ages 8 to 12. She shares why 60% of teen girls experience persistent sadness, what happens when girls use platforms not built for them, and how Moxies is offering a healthier entry point into digital life with no public profiles, no strangers, and built-in screen time boundaries.

Learn more about Moxies and follow Juliette on Instagram!