#1287 - [Parental Guidance Episode 1] Deepfakes, Screens & Our Kids - Parenting in the Digital Age

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

A video of Justin... that Justin never made. This was the shocking moment that shook the families on Parental Guidance—a deepfake designed to highlight how real, how convincing, and how dangerous AI can be for our kids. In today’s recap, we dive into the confronting realities of deepfakes, online safety, and skyrocketing screen time. From fake videos to 65-hour screen weeks, how do we protect our kids in this hyperconnected world?

KEY POINTS:

• Deepfakes are real, fast, and easy. It took producers just 20 minutes to create a convincing fake video of Justin. This raises serious concerns about privacy, consent, and exploitation—especially for teens.
• The gendered impact is severe. 98% of deepfake porn targets women and girls, with devastating emotional and psychological consequences.
• The 'be careful what you post' advice is outdated. Even innocent images like yearbook photos can be misused. The real focus needs to be on teaching empathy, respect, and legal consequences.
• Screen time shock. One family clocked 21 devices for 6 people. A parent averaged 65 hours a week—over 9 hours a day—and her son hit 16 hours in a single day.
• The real cost of screen time. Excessive screens impact brain development, sleep, social skills, physical health, and relationships.
• Digital connections aren't enough. Kids need real-life, face-to-face interaction for emotional and neurological growth—nine times more brain activation happens in person than on Zoom.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:

"When we spend time in front of a screen—especially when it's excessive—we do not grow our brain. In fact, the research suggests there’s less grey matter. That is a massive problem." – Dr Justin Coulson

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• The Parenting Revolution by Dr Justin Coulson
• TV Show: Parental Guidance Season 3 – available on 9Now
• Website: happyfamilies.com.au

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:

1. Talk about it. Have open, honest conversations with your kids about AI, deepfakes, and consent.
2. Teach empathy. Reinforce that using someone's image without consent is a violation of their humanity—and often a crime.
3. Audit your screens. Count your family’s devices and track your own usage. Awareness is step one.
4. Prioritise real-world connection. Schedule offline time daily. Prioritise nature, play, face-to-face conversations, and physical activity.
5. Set boundaries. Create clear family rules about screen time, nighttime device use, and online safety.
6. Model the behaviour. Kids notice if we say one thing but do another. Manage your own screen habits.
7. Stay informed. Keep up with emerging tech risks and solutions. Read, listen, learn, and adjust.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.