Cyber Smart Parenting: Protecting Kids in a Digital World

Cyber Smart Parenting: Protecting Kids in a Digital World

Author: Lianne Castelino February 14, 2026 Duration: 29:57

How do you raise safe, confident kids in a world of gaming chats, AI tools, social media, and constant connectivity?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to cybersecurity professionals Chad Rychlewski and Kae David, who share expert, practical advice from their book Cyber Smart Parenting. As both industry insiders, they translate enterprise-level cybersecurity strategies into realistic steps families can use at home.

You’ll hear:

  1. Why digital safety conversations should begin in kindergarten
  2. The risks of oversharing photos in the age of AI
  3. How gaming voice chats expose children to strangers
  4. Why locking your child’s credit protects against identity theft
  5. How to talk to teens about their digital footprint without shame
  6. The importance of family digital contracts
  7. Why being present matters more than being technical

Instead of fear, this conversation focuses on empowerment. The safest kids aren’t the most restricted — they’re the ones who feel safe coming to their parents before a crisis happens.

This podcast is for parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers to learn proven strategies and trusted tips on raising kids, teens and young adults based on science, evidenced and lived experience.

You’ll learn the latest on topics like managing bullying, consent, fostering healthy relationships, and the interconnectedness of mental, emotional and physical health.

Links referenced in this episode:

  1. whereparentstalk.com



Raising children in this era comes with a unique set of questions, and Where Parents Talk: Evidence-based Expert Advice on Raising Kids Today is here to offer clarity, not just opinions. Hosted by award-winning journalist and mother Lianne Castelino, this weekly conversation moves beyond anecdotal advice to explore the science and research behind modern parenting. Each episode feels like a thoughtful discussion with a knowledgeable friend, one who brings in leading experts and thinkers to tackle the real issues families face. You’ll hear practical strategies for navigating everything from the emotional turbulence of adolescence to building a foundation of healthy communication from a young age. The focus is on holistic development-addressing the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of both kids and their parents. Lianne’s skill as an interviewer helps distill complex topics into actionable insights, making this podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to ground their parenting choices in evidence and shared experience. It’s a space where the noise of conflicting advice fades, replaced by informed conversations that empower you to find your own path through the joys and challenges of family life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Where Parents Talk: Evidence-based Expert Advice on Raising Kids Today
Podcast Episodes
Rethinking Mental Health Diagnoses in Children with Dr. Sami Timimi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:18
In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Sami Timimi, psychiatrist and author of Searching for Normal. The conversation examines the current…
Digital Literacy in the Age of AI and Misinformation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:02
How can parents teach kids to think critically, tell truth from falsehood, and navigate an online world filled with AI-generated content and misinformation?In this episode of Where Parents Talk, host Lianne Castelino spe…
What Teens Wish Their Parents Knew: Creating Open Dialogues [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:22
In this episode of theWhere Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to Michael Chiasson — speaker, musician, writer, and author of Things We Wish Our Parents Knew. Drawing on 20+ years of speaking to youth acr…
The Real Talk: How to Prepare Your Young Adult for Life's Challenges [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:38
What should parents really be telling their kids before they leave the nest? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to writer and mom of three, Joanne McHugh, creator of the newsl…
Rethinking Gifted Education: The Role of AI, Mastery, and Life Skills [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:24
In this episode of Where Parents Talk, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Pamela Hobart — philosopher coach, writer, mother of four, and gifted education advocate. Hobart shares her journey from academia to coaching, and…
Unlocking Teen Potential: Self-Regulation as a Superpower [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:39
Self-regulation is a superpower that can transform a teen’s emotional, social, and academic life. In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to psychologist and first-time author Dr.…
The Hidden Risks of Sports Betting and Gambling Ads on Youth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:21
In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Dr. Shawn Kelly, pediatrician, adolescent addictions specialist, and father of two. Dr. Kelly shares why he co-authored a Canadian Medi…
The Empty Nest: Coping Strategies When Your Kids Leave Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:11
When children leave home, parents often face a powerful mix of emotions—grief, pride, uncertainty, and even freedom. In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, licensed therapist, TEDx speaker, author, and mom Mo…