The best kids tech experiences don't happen by accident. They follow from someone designing carefully for a specific situation.

In this episode of Parent Tech, I sit down with Nichole Rouillac, CEO of industrial design studio level and mom of two, to hear how she thinks about technology for her kids. We cover what she's actually doing and why.

Nichole has worked with Microsoft, Logitech, Tempo, and Nex, and has a thoughtful approach to kids tech. She's been thinking about this stuff for years from a different vantage point than most parents.

We get into:
- Her work with the team at Nex on the Playground — the cube shape, the colors, and the monocle camera cover
- How audiobooks and Osmo helped her daughter become an avid reader
- The Tonie Box, Yoto, Tin Can Phone, and Apple Watch — what she chose for each of her kids and why
- Parental controls — what she actually does and why it still takes effort
- How her 12-year-old uses Roblox, Minecraft, and coding as both social and creative outlets
- Her device and app recommendations for different ages

Resources mentioned:
My Nex Playground review: www.parent.tech/p/nex-playground-review-all-is-forgiven
Ash Brandin's Power On (referenced in episode): www.parent.tech/p/book-review-power-on
Joan Ganz Cooney Center family tech cycle report: joanganzcooneycenter.org/publication/the-family-tech-cycle

📌 Subscribe for more interviews, insights, and stories from parents at www.parent.tech
Learn more about Nichole and level at www.leveldesignsf.com

00:00 Introduction
01:00 Nichole's background — designing for families as a mom and studio CEO
01:28 The Nex Playground design story
05:29 The monocle — designing a camera cover
07:29 How Nichole thinks about kids and technology
10:38 Screen time philosophy and her two kids
12:24 Social screen time — Roblox, Minecraft, and staying connected with classmates
13:29 Parental controls — what works and what still takes effort
15:06 The Tin Can Phone
16:30 The Apple Watch and giving her daughter independence
18:02 How technology helped her daughter love reading
20:49 Osmo — physical letter tiles and the iPad
23:44 What to look for in education technology
26:24 Independence and devices designed for kids to use on their own
28:07 Her 12-year-old's interests — coding, robotics, writing her own video games
33:53 YouTube as a starting point — balloon animals, cooking, crafts
39:15 Device and app recommendations — Yoto, Osmo, Endless Reader, KiwiCo, Nex Playground
41:01 Family favorites on the Nex Playground
42:06 Closing

In today’s episode of Parent Tech, we sit down with Kristen Kim, creator of the award-winning podcast Culture Kids, to explore how sound, storytelling, and imagination can transform the way children learn about the world.

Kristen shares how immersive audio adventures help kids develop empathy, focus, and creativity, while also giving parents a meaningful alternative to screen time. From building safe creative spaces to navigating extracurricular chaos, collaborating with an 8-year-old, and creating a neighborhood “village,” this conversation is packed with practical advice for families.

We also dig into:

• Why audio learning activates a child’s brain like reading
• How to introduce cultural diversity through stories
• Simple language shifts that spark curiosity instead of judgment
• Using sound and music to regulate emotions at home

📌 Subscribe for more conversations helping parents navigate tech, creativity, and raising kids in a fast-changing world.

Get more from Culture Kids at https://www.culturekidsmedia.com/

In this episode:
00:00 — What is Culture Kids?
05:38 — Weekly production + managing creativity with a child
07:00 — Respecting kids as creative partners
10:08 — Cultural gateways: Pokémon, Totoro, Bluey, and beyond
11:13 — Cultivating awe, wonder & curiosity in kids
15:14 — The role of sound design in emotional learning
16:55 — Using music to build connection at the end of episodes
17:40 — How audio learning strengthens imagination & attention spans
20:17 — Audio vs. reading: what brain science says
24:00 — Should parents make a podcast with their kids?
26:12 — Screen time philosophy: intentionality over restriction
29:40 — When kids surprise you with what they learned
31:00 — Extracurriculars, hobbies & shaping identity
38:40 — You don’t have to do it alone: building your own village
39:20 — What parents want most—and how to start
40:00 — What Kristen is excited about in kids’ tech

In this episode of Parent Tech, I sit down with Al Nowatzki, a generative AI QA lead, to discuss the impact of AI and AI companions on children and parenting. We also take a trip down memory lane, discussing Al's experience hosting a Star Wars podcast with his kids, which helped spark discussions about real-world issues through fiction.

We discuss AI companions among teens, with Al emphasizing the need for parents to be proactive and informed about the technology. If you’re thinking about your child’s interactions with AI companions, this episode will give you some strategies to help navigate the topic.

Some of the studies referenced:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/research/report/talk-trust-and-trade-offs_2025_web.pdf
https://www.internetmatters.org/hub/press-release/new-report-reveals-how-risky-and-unchecked-ai-chatbots-are-the-new-go-to-for-millions-of-children/

📌 Subscribe for more interviews, insights, and stories from parents at Parent Tech, here or on any podcast app.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:39 Children of the Force Podcast Journey

07:14 Generative AI and Kids' Relationships

10:18 Parental Guidance in the Age of AI

14:19 Potential and Risks of AI Companions

18:26 Introduction to Parasol Cooperative

18:44 The Role of Ruth the Chatbot

20:28 AI Safety and Ethical Considerations

21:07 Generative AI and Children

22:16 Parenting in the Digital Age

27:58 Explaining AI to Kids

36:24 Regulation