Ebony Bagley - Internet Wellness Advocate - Blog

I don’t usually write reviews, but after watching Forever on Netflix, I had to make an exception. As a mom raising two Black kids in the digital age, this series felt like someone finally wrote a love letter to our reality — not the exaggerated, polished or filtered version, but the real one. And I don’t say this lightly: Forever is the most relatable, timely, and necessary show I’ve seen in a long time, especially when it comes to portraying young Black love. Forever was created and executive produced, by the brilliant Mara Brock Akil, yes, the same powerhouse behind Girlfriends and Being Mary Jane. With Forever, she reimagines Judy Blume’s classic novel through a fresh, modern very Black lens, setting it in 2018 Los Angeles and centering Black teen love, parenting, and digital trauma. Forever stars Lovie Simone as Keisha Clark and Michael Cooper Jr. as Justin Edwards, two  teens exploring first love while navigating social pressures, family expectations, and digital landmines....

Is it just me, or does 95° hit different when you’re chasing your kids with a squirt gun instead of sitting under fluorescent lights answering emails? Let’s give ourselves permission to actually enjoy summer again. Not just survive it. Growing up in the Detroit area, summer was everything. It’s where so many of my core memories live. I remember riding bikes with friends and neighbors ‘til the street lights flickered on as a reminder it was time to head home. We chased down the ice cream truck with crumpled dollar bills, spent hours at the water park until our fingers pruned, and made weekend trips to Blockbuster feel like a major event. It all smelled like bug spray and BBQ on the grill, and you felt the kind of joy you didn’t know you’d miss until years later. Now that I'm a parent, I want my kids to have that same magic — It's so easy to get caught up in the day to day tasks and must-do’s that we can forget to enjoy ourselves and our lives right in the here and now. Let’s tak...

As an internet wellness advocate, I spend a lot of time talking about digital safety, screen time, and keeping our kids protected online. But let me be clear—I fully support AI being introduced in the classroom. Why? Because whether we like it or not, AI isn’t something that’s coming—it’s already here. It’s reshaping industries, changing how we work, and creating entirely new career paths we couldn’t have imagined not 10 but even 2 years ago. But, every time I turn on the news, there’s another fear-based headline about AI taking over. And, let’s be real—whether we like it or not, the future is already here. The question isn’t how do we stop it—it’s how can we pivot and prepare. We can handle this. This is the world our kids were dealt, and it’s on us to make sure they’re ready to thrive in it - no fear. And AI isn’t some far-off thing. It’s already woven into our everyday lives—from the way we write emails and search on Google, to how we use predictive text or collaborate in Google Doc...

In today’s digital world, teens are more connected than ever—but also more creative at hiding how they connect. If you think you know all the apps your child is using to talk to friends, think again. From school tools like Google Docs to unexpected platforms like Pinterest and Spotify, kids are turning everyday apps into secret chat rooms. And here’s the thing, most of these kids aren’t doing anything that terrible. But that’s exactly why this conversation is so important. As parents, we assume if our child isn’t doing anything wrong that we are aware of, we don’t need to worry. But what we’re missing isn’t about wrongdoing—it’s about connection. You should have an idea about what your child is up to online and off and work towards a real relationship with them. (partial-spoiler) The new Netflix drama Adolescence drives this home with a story of a 13-year-old boy who commits a horrific act who we later discover has been radicalized by online content, discourse and the toxic side of t...

As a millennial mom who grew up alongside the internet (back when we had to fight for dial-up time and hope no one picked up the phone), I know firsthand that the digital world is equal parts amazing and chaotic. Recently, I glanced at a chat between my daughter and her friends—what they saw as harmless jokes could have easily been misinterpreted. Cue my mini heart attack. It was a wake-up call for both of us: them realizing that words can take on a whole new meaning online, and me realizing that parenting in the digital age is basically a full-time job... with no PTO. The Reality of the Digital Footprint The internet never forgets. Kids need to understand from the moment they go online that their devices are not private journals or diaries. Anything they post, send, or even joke about can be taken out of context, screenshotted, and follow them forever. The digital footprint they create today could impact their future opportunities, relationships, and even their mental well-being. Beyo...

There’s nothing like a good family movie night to bring everyone together. As someone who proudly claims my status as an '80s baby and ‘90s kid, I can tell you that some of my best childhood memories were made via a good Blockbuster night with the family. These were the moments that shaped me and helped to connect us as a family. Fast forward to today, and I’m the one making the popcorn and picking the movies—but the heart of it hasn’t changed. Family movie nights are still about laughter, learning, and maybe even a little dancing if the soundtrack hits just right (Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” anyone?). Black History Month is the perfect excuse to make this tradition meaningful by diving into stories that celebrate our culture, explore our history, and inspire important conversations. Bonus? You can sneak in some education while the kids think they’re just hanging out. A win is a win!! So, dust off your VHS tapes (just kidding—or am I?) or fire up your streaming service,...