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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π‘οΈ PYE Download - June 2026
Published 21 days agoΒ β’Β 3 min read
The PYE Download: June 2, 2026
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Hello! Once a month, we share the latest digital news that impacts your family, update you on what the Protect Young Eyes team is up to, and end with a quick 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:
π€― Pope Leo XIV just wrote a 42,000-word letter about AI. Magnifica Humanitas calls out AI chatbots for being "excessively affectionate" and dangerously effective at covert persuasion, basically grooming users into dependency. Our take? It's the most significant moral statement on AI yet.
π¬ British doctors compared social media to cigarettes (BBC). The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges told the UK government that social media harm to children now "ranks alongside smoking." Our take? #delayistheway is still best for childhood!
π‘ Meta and Google are funding Sesame Street, Girl Scouts, and Highlights magazine to teach kids responsible tech use. It's a classic "look at how great we are!" move by leveraging these trusted brands. Our take? It's deception. I've NEVER accepted money from Big Tech (even though they've offered it).
π·οΈ I was bitten by a spider and ended up in the hospital last weekend! True story. Just making sure you're still reading! My son already checked me for Peter Parker power. Nothing.
ππΌ Florida sues OpenAI over child harm (NBC). And named Sam Altman personally. The attorney general says OpenAI is endangering kids and deceiving parents into thinking ChatGPT is safe. Our take? More states will follow. We will watch this one closely.
π§ We should all be techno-skeptics (TED Talk). Jonathan Haidt, "We need to fight for a future where our children can become flourishing, connected adults." Jon's most recent TED Talk is alarming and hopeful!
What PYE is up to:
2 weeks until launching my debut book!
On June 16, it will be ready for you! Learn our 5 Habit framework for creating safer digital spaces at home and in society. I hope you'll make it part of your summer reading list!
We've seen almost 5.5M combined views across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for this 60-second clip. I just want parents to delete Roblox!
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Successfully defended App Store Act
Melissa McKay and I wrote an amicus brief in support of Texas's App Store Accountability Act and won! This bill will force App Stores to obtain parental consent for in-app purchasing, and more.
In May, I gave a talk to retirees at my church titled "Avoiding Scams in the AI Age." It was supposed to last 60 minutes. 90 minutes later, I had to stop their amazing questions! Seniors are one of many vulnerable populations when it comes to digital exploitation.
(BTW, that's a new talk I'll be regularly offering in the fall!)
My son is also one of them. Heβs 16 and loves technology. But almost nothing in tech was made with his unique abilities and (Down syndrome) vulnerabilities in mind.
So with summer around the corner, and more hours at home for all our children, it's the perfect time for a tech audit. Start with this simple question from 5 Habits of the Tech-Ready Family: "Would everything connected to the internet do no harm to the most vulnerable person in our home?"
That means tossing/recycling old devices in "that" drawer. (You know the one!)
What about your smart TV? It probably has a browser.
What about streaming apps? Do you need all of them?
During the summer, boredom often means digital risk goes up. But proactive parenting can mitigate issues before you're in triage mode.
Parenting with you! βChris & PYEβ #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!
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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