Screens are shaping our children. This country musician is bringing them back to nature.

Concerns Over Digital Parenting Explored

On a recent episode of “Sarah Gonzalez Unfiltered,” host Sarah Gonzalez discussed a growing concern surrounding modern parenting—specifically, the phenomenon of digital parenting. She expressed that there’s a troubling trend among parents who seem to let screens take a predominant role in raising their kids.

“There’s a huge problem with this generation of parents who are raising their children in movies,” she noted, pointing out how many children are raised with screens playing such a central role.

Despite movements aimed at curbing screen time for children, the use of devices like iPads continues to be an ongoing issue.

In the episode, Sarah had a conversation with Buddy Brown, a three-time Billboard country artist and author of the book titled “Ain’t No Wi-Fi in the Woods.” Brown advocates for children to spend more time in nature rather than in front of screens.

His motivation for writing the book stemmed from his dissatisfaction with much of today’s children’s literature, which he describes as “garbage.” He aimed to create something wholesome and nostalgic.

“I’m the illustrator of ‘Winnie the Pooh.’ I mean, we made it all the way to the end, and it turned out really great,” Brown shared.

Sarah resonates with Brown’s perspective on steering away from screen dependence.

“When we go to a restaurant and see everyone glued to their devices, it makes me sad. I worry for the kids who lack an understanding of human connection and spend so much time behind screens,” she said.

Brown concurred, emphasizing the need for parents to be more intentional in their interactions with their children. He recalled a practice where children, from about four years old, would be encouraged to order from waitstaff, helping to build their confidence in making eye contact with adults.

Sarah echoed a concern that older children, even teens, struggle to communicate outside their devices. “They’re just scrolling and texting, not forming real relationships. I worry about how this impacts not just their brains but their minds overall,” she lamented.

Brown added another layer to the conversation, saying that these screen-dependent children would eventually need social skills to thrive in the real world, which they may lack.

He encourages parents resisting using screens as a tool to soothe their kids, explaining, “Fast forward 15, 20 years, and your kids will distinguish themselves in whatever they do. They will thank you later.”