25: The Silent Epidemic: What Parents Don’t Know About Their Kids’ Mental Health with Katey McPherson

In this powerful episode of Hero Up with Tony Stark Policci, I sit down with Katey McPherson, a nationally recognized advocate for youth mental health, TEDx speaker, and expert in internet safety. Katey has spent decades working with schools, parents, and law enforcement to protect children from the hidden dangers of technology, mental health struggles, and the rising threats to today’s youth. 

Katey shares her journey from working as a school administrator to her role with B.A.R.K., an AI-powered app that helps keep kids safe online. We dive deep into the realities of parenting in the digital age, the misconceptions parents have about their children's mental health, and practical strategies to foster open communication, empathy, and presence in kids' lives. If you're a parent, educator, or just someone who cares about the well-being of young people, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable tips.

What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ The Illusion of "Not My Kid" – Why most parents are blind to what’s really happening in their children’s lives
✅ The Digital Wild West – How predators, explicit content, and peer pressure invade kids’ screens daily
✅ Why Kids Don’t Tell Their Parents the Truth – The breakdown of trust and what to do about it
✅ The "Five-Year Rule" – When and how to start critical conversations with your kids
✅ The Power of Connection – How to make sure your child feels seen, heard, and loved every single day
✅ Tech Solutions That Help Parents – How AI tools like B.A.R.K. are helping prevent tragedy
✅ The Role of Schools & Educators – What teachers are up against and how parents can step up

PLUS:

- How an app called B.A.R.K. helps protect kids from online dangers
- The biggest misconceptions parents have about their children's mental health
- Why technology is both a connector and an isolator for youth
- How to foster open communication and empathy with kids
- Practical tips for supporting youth mental health
- Why understanding brain development is key to effective parenting
- The importance of community involvement in raising resilient kids
- Overcoming barriers to accessing mental health resources
- Innovations in tech that support youth well-being

And a Shocking Truth: The average age of first exposure to pornography is eight years old, and sexting begins at eleven. If you think your child is safe just because you raised them right, think again.

Katie’s Game-Changing Parenting Hacks:

• The Central Charging Station Rule – A simple way to reclaim family time
• The ‘Mayor of Your 5-Mile Radius’ Mindset – How small actions create big change
• The "WIGGY" Method – A powerful way to actually hear your kid

If you’re a parent, educator, or anyone who cares about the well-being of today’s youth, this is an episode you cannot afford to miss.

Connect with Katey:

• Tedx: How to Be the Mayor of Your 5-Mile Radius | Katey McPherson | TEDxGilbert
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kateymcph/about/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katey-mcpherson-04396a50 
• Bark: https://www.bark.us/

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