Being a parent has never been simple—but raising teenagers in a world of Snapchat streaks, viral trends, and digital footprints? That’s a new kind of challenge.
In the latest episode of The Dadsnet Podcast, Alex Horne opens up about the realities of parenting three boys—now 12, 14, and 16—and the uniquely modern worries that come with it. From managing screen time to navigating online safety, it’s a conversation every parent of teens can relate to.
“They don’t watch Taskmaster. It’s too weird for them. And I’m kind of glad—because I don’t think I want them watching everything I’ve done!”
While Alex jokes about being “the uncool dad,” he takes the responsibility of raising digitally aware kids seriously. With his own career largely online, he’s acutely aware of how permanent things on the internet can be—and how quickly youthful mistakes can have long-term consequences.
“We’ve really hammered home that anything you post online can last forever. It might feel temporary, but it’s not.”
He recalls discussing the story of a cricketer who lost his place on the England team due to an old tweet. “That was a good wake-up call for them,” he says. “We try to keep it simple—don’t post anything you wouldn’t want me to see.”
But being a tech-savvy parent in 2025 isn’t just about rules and warnings. Alex admits his kids are now more digitally fluent than he is—and he’s learned to lean on them for help, even if it bruises the ego a bit.
“My middle son’s the one who fixes the TV and knows how everything works. I’ve already become the tech-ignorant parent. It’s humbling—but handy!”
The episode doesn’t just highlight the challenges of digital parenting—it also shines a light on how important it is to stay involved, stay aware, and most importantly, stay curious. Alex’s openness with his children, even when they pretend not to care, is clearly having a lasting impact.
“We hope we’ve raised them well. We trust them. But we keep the conversations going.”
