Lifest • Oshkosh, WI July 9, 2026
That little device runs more of our lives than we’d like to admit—and for teens growing up with it, the stakes are even higher. Join Tony and Kristin Bird, parents of three teens and longtime educators, for an honest conversation about phones, social media, and family life. Learn why delaying smartphones and social media matters, how to set boundaries that actually work, and how to keep real connection alive when screens are always competing for attention. You’ll leave with tools you can start using right away and a clearer vision for helping your family thrive in a world that never logs off.
Tony and Kristin Bird are parents of three teens and longtime educators from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Between Tony’s work in public education and Kristin’s ministry through Burning Hearts Disciples, they bring practical, hard-won perspective to helping families raise connected, resilient teens in a world that never logs off.
Additional resources and downloads are available below
Technology isn't the enemy. But technology that shapes us more than our relationships with God, family, and others deserves our attention.
Start Here
Everything below was created to help families start meaningful conversations about technology.
Teen & Family Smartphone Contract (Editable) by Burning Hearts Disciples 
How to Talk to Your Teens at Life Teen by Kristin Bird 
Parenting in the Digital World at Life Teen by Kristin Bird
Monitoring & Accountability Tools We Recommend
The best monitoring tools are the ones you will use. You will likely need to use a mix of tools depending on your child's age, the expectations you've set up, and the different devices they have access to. Below is the "secret sauce" mix that we have used in our home.
- Start by making sure you have passwords and pin codes to all apps and devices for your child.
- Occasionally do spot checks of their devices.
- Bark Parental Controls (best for monitoring mobile device usage)
- Circle (best for setting limits and monitoring WiFi usage)
- Bark Phone or Gabb Phone (best devices)
- Device Specific Parental Control Features
Note: If you have a child or adult in your home who is actively using pornography, you will likely need additional tools. We recommend Covenant Eyes as an accountability software. In addition, there are some great resources available from Reclaim Sexual Health and Aggie Catholic.
Books, Podcasts & Videos
These books, podcasts, and films have shaped how we think about technology, attention, relationships, and raising teens in today's digital world.
The Anxious Generation
(Jonathan Haidt)
iGen: Why Today's Super Connected Kids...(Jean Twenge)
10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People (David Yeager)
The Digital Delusion (Dr. Jared Horvath)
The Social Dilemma on Netflix 
Adolescence on Netflix
Screenagers Movie Series
Smart Thinking Podcast (Ep 333): We Need to Talk to Our Kids about Uncomfortable Stuff
