ScreenStrong Families
After her oldest son, Adam, dropped out of college due to his video game addiction, Melanie Hempe, BSN, put her nursing degree and training from Emory University to good use and founded ScreenStrong. It’s her mission to create educational programs for kids and parents so no one will experience the pain of screen addiction. Her ability to simplify medical science and provide practical solutions for families has allowed her to share her passion and bold screen solutions nationally. ScreenStrong has won the hearts of many families who are preventing and reversing childhood screen conflicts and addiction.
Host of the popular weekly ScreenStrong Families Podcast, Melanie has been featured in Psychology Today, Thrive-Global, The Wall Street Journal, A&E Network, CBS, CNN, NPR, the documentary Screened Out, and various news and television outlets. Her ScreenStrong Kids’ Brains and Screens Courses are available for parents and students. Her four books include, “Kids’ Brains & Screens: A ScreenStrong Student Course,” “Will Your Gamer Survive College?” “Can Your Teen Survive—and Thrive—Without a Smartphone?” and “The ScreenStrong Solution: How to Free Your Child from Addictive Screen Habits.”
ScreenStrong Families
Raising Kids in a Screen-Saturated World—Without Losing Your Mind with Dr. Andrew Doan (#238)
In this powerful crossover episode, Dr. Andrew Doan welcomes Melanie Hempe—registered nurse, author, and founder of ScreenStrong—to share her deeply personal and eye-opening journey from screen struggles to screen solutions. Originally featured on Dr. Doan’s Podcast, this conversation dives into the real impact of screens on families and how one mom’s wake-up call became a national movement.
Melanie recounts how her oldest son’s battle with video game overuse led her to uncover the science behind screen addiction—and how it’s particularly dangerous for developing brains. Together, she and Dr. Doan explore:
- The neuroscience of screen overuse in kids and teens
- Why smartphones and gaming aren't essential for healthy development
- What makes parents hesitate—and what helps them finally take action
- Practical tools and inspiring stories from families who’ve successfully unplugged and reconnected
Whether you’re just beginning to question screen norms or ready to make a change in your home, this episode offers both the science and encouragement to help you move forward with confidence.
Check out Dr. Andrew Doan's YouTube channel and website.
Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!
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ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations
- Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
- Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)
Production Team:
- Host: Melanie Hempe
- Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin
