AI exploded. Apps shifted. Parents adapted.

Hey friends — Cat & Nat here,

We’re popping into your inbox one last time in 2025 to say: happy holidays, happy almost-New Year, and THANK YOU. Truly. This community shows up with honesty and humour while we all try to parent in a world where the rules change every five minutes (usually right after we finally figure them out). We’re so grateful you’ve stuck with us, asked big questions, and shared what’s working in your homes. We’ll be back in your inbox in the new year, but before we go, we thought we’d recap some of the biggest digital trends that came out of 2025:

• AI went from “wow” to everywhere: The social giants leaned in hard, weaving assistants, recommenders, and creation tools into feeds and features.

• Apps kept shifting under our feet: Instagram added new AI-powered controls for what shows up in Reels, while other platforms quietly tweaked discovery and recommendations all year. Some apps even launched brand new features like Spotify’s Messages, so users can chat and share music without leaving the platform.

• New threats got very real. The 764 predator network made headlines and federal PSAs — a reminder that exploitation tactics evolve fast and why reporting pathways and ongoing conversations at home are non-negotiable.

The big story for us at The Common Parent? Earlier this year we introduced Screen Sense, our step-by-step guide for parenting in a hyper-digital world. It’s the resource we wish we had when our kids first stepped into group chats and the social media game. We built it with leading experts and medical pros so you don’t have to Google at 1 a.m. anymore. We’re now laser-focused on helping parents raise digitally smart, emotionally healthy kids, and we’re on a mission to put every tool you need in one place. If you’ve already jumped in: THANK YOU. If you’re curious, we’d love to have you join us. We’re putting the guide on sale until January. 

—Cat & Nat

New research: Early smartphones = tougher outcomes

A new study from Pew Research found that kids who own smartphones by age 12 face higher risks of poor sleep, depression, and obesity. The earlier they get a phone, the greater the risk. The findings hit right as mainstream outlets started asking the bigger question: so what’s the “right” age? We’ve heard this from so many of the experts we’ve spoken with – there’s no magic number. It’s about readiness, skills, boundaries, and your family values. In saying that, later is often easier, and a starter device (a watch or a “dumb” phone) + tight guardrails can be a great bridge.

So… when should your kid get a phone?
Think in stages, not just age:

• Initial Decision: Determine if they’re mature enough. Have they shown good decision making? Do they struggle with rules? Are they secretive? These are all signs to consider when making your decision.

• Stage 1 (Connection, not apps): Give them a chance to connect with their friends and family members through phone calls or text. They can use a Watch or basic phone with only talk/text.

• Stage 2 (Training wheels): locked-down smartphone with whitelist apps, time limits, and a written family tech plan.

• Stage 3 (More freedom): gradual unlocks once they show responsibility (sleep stays sacred; phones charge outside bedrooms).

Teens, YouTube, and chatbots — the new “always on”

Pew’s brand-new survey of U.S. teens shows what we’re all seeing at home: YouTube remains a daily habit, social feeds are a mixed bag, and AI chatbots have become part of teen life. Roughly two-thirds of teens have used a chatbot, with a notable share using them daily — for homework help, brainstorming, and feelings talk. As usage grows, so does the need for guardrails and media literacy: kids are quick to trust answers that sound confident. Our take: teach kids to show their work, cross-check sources, and treat AI as a starting point, not a verdict.

If chatbots and YouTube are now daily life, then our job is to make the daily habits smarter. If screens feel like a daily tug-of-war, you’re not alone. And it doesn’t have to be. Grab our free, expert-backed Screen-Time Sanity Checklist and we’ll walk you through the exact steps to turn all this new tech into healthier routines (without constant nagging or guilt). This will come in handy with all the free time they’ll have during this holiday break!

We’re signing off for the year and bracing (lovingly) for the joyful chaos of kids at home. If you’re looking for a fun, educational activity that opens up a great conversation about AI, try Two Truths & AI from Common Sense. It’s a quick game where kids decide what’s real vs. AI-generated, perfect for couch time between cookie batches. It’s got different difficulty modes for younger kids and older kids! It builds those “pause and question” muscles our kids need now more than ever. 

And before we go…If 2025 felt like a moving target, it’s because it was. But you crushed it because you showed up, asked questions, set boundaries, reset boundaries (because… teens), and kept the conversation going. We’re so proud to be in this with you.

Have a beautiful, restful holiday. We’ll see you in January.
With love (and parental controls),

—Cat & Nat