πŸ›‘οΈ PYE Download - August 2026


The PYE Download: August 20, 2026

Hello! Once a month, we download the digital news that impacts your family, update you on what the Protect Young Eyes team is up to, and end with a note from Chris.

We hope our research helps you feel informed and confident, and that our work with schools, churches, and non-profits is motivating.

Thank you for reading this!

The latest news:

πŸ“£ An unprecedented case against Meta started this week. Four states (CA, KY, NJ, and CO) are demanding $1.4 trillion in damages from Meta for alleged harms to young users. Our take? Yes, parents must own what we can control. But companies found guilty of knowingly harming children should suffer significant financial penalties. It's how corporate behavior changes.

🀯 Young Americans don't want AI. A new Pew survey said that for the first time in its surveys, a majority of American adults under 30 are more concerned than excited about AI. Our take? We need global guardrails around AI development. It sometimes feels like we have multiple, uncontrolled Manhattan Projects happening at once.

πŸ€– A New York high school paused its robot idea. The Salamanca School District put a hold on the pilot program to place a humanoid robot in a high school STEM class. Our take? I want to think YOU helped make this happen by sharing our post! Thank you.

βœ… ChatGPT for Teens launches. It provides stronger built-in safety protections for teens, including features to promote healthy use and additional controls for parents. Our take? In the face of lawsuits, they had to. The changes are better described as "parental suggestions" and not controls (easily avoided). Our ChatGPT App Review explains the risks.

πŸ“±iPhone's sweeping parental control changes are coming next month. They're prettier and easier to understand. But our testing shows it's still easy to beat them. Our take? Keep our free iPhone guide close; it's getting updated!

What PYE is up to:

Our Professional Development Talk is πŸ”₯

Speaking to a full gym of educators fills me up! It's one of the things I can do with almost endless energy. That was this week! Three schools, totaling 14 hours. And for the first time, a teacher gave me cucumbers from her garden. Bonus!

Preparing and Protecting Families

Here's a school giving copies of my debut book to their staff. Another bought copies for their parent book club. This weekend, my church is giving copies to our families. Thank you for this amazing response!

Alberta Independent Schools Partnership

The Association of Independent Schools & Colleges in Alberta (AISCA) has chosen PYE as its Digital Leadership partner for its K-12 schools. We will provide parent education, staff professional development, and student curriculum. We're thrilled!

Upcoming speaking:

A busy fall is here! The PYE Master Calendar:

  • Aug. 19, Sunshine Christian, FL
  • Aug. 23, The Church @ Bradenton, FL
  • Aug. 26, Eaton Public Schools, CO
  • Aug. 26, Christ Lutheran, MI
  • Aug. 28, Mt. Ephraim Baptist, FL
  • Sept. 2, KingsWay School, WA
  • Sept. 3, Christ Lutheran, AZ
  • Sept. 10, Pine Creek Elementary, MI
  • Sept. 13, Lost River Church, TN
  • Sept. 14, Focus on the Family, CO
  • Sept. 15, Diocese of Gaylord, MI
  • Sept. 16, Pennington Park Church, IN
  • Sept. 17-18, Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana

​Email Michele to bring us to your community!

A note from Chris:

"I don't want to know when they pick up a pencil or go to the cafeteria. Just tell me about the times when they go online. That's what I want to know!"

That's what I told Nicki Petrossi on her Scrolling 2 Death Podcast last week.

Parents are becoming more curious and concerned about the technology their kids are using for learning. For good reasons, skepticism about tech decisions made by schools is at an all-time high.

But many parents aren't sure where to begin, which is why I created a guide: 6 Tech Questions to Ask Principals. It's a start. And if you're heading back to school, it will give you confidence as you ferociously protect their one precious childhood.

Parenting with you!
​
Chris & PYE​
#delayistheway

P.S. School and ministry leaders! If you want to share this newsletter with your parents, please use this direct link in your own newsletter, app, or social media!

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Chris McKenna | Protect Young Eyes

We help families, schools, and churches create safer digital spaces. Live talks: kids K-12, staff, and parents. Curriculum, app & device guides. Become a PYE member! #delayistheway

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