In 2011, Melanie Hempe uncovered the dark world of video game addiction as she realized that her son’s gaming had finally crossed the line. She set out to help other struggling families and to her surprise had over 125 parents attend her first information meeting at a local school. From that meeting, the first book club for moms was organized and Families Managing Media (FMM) was born.
Turns out, like Melanie, families everywhere were not prepared for the tidal wave of technology that was flooding their homes and children and teens were being lost in the world of video games and smartphones. Parents began to get answers to the chaos and quickly discovered that FMM’s simple solutions were resulting in life-changing experiences at home.
Through our ScreenStrong initiative (launched in 2018), FMM has delivered hundreds of seminars throughout the country, writes for local and national print magazines, and has been featured on national TV and radio outlets.
Studies show that excessive screen use can lead to significant mental, physical, and social issues for young people of all ages, so ScreenStrong provides proven ideas for healthier alternatives that rebuild relationships between the child, their family, and the real world.
Our Team
Melanie Hempe, BSN, RN (Ret.)
Executive Director
Melanie Hempe is the Founder and Executive Director of Families Managing Media (FMM). With a nursing degree from Emory University, Melanie has spent over six years working with leading researchers and technology experts on the impact of video games, social media and smartphone media on children and families. Her passion for educating families about the dangers of screen addiction and providing practical solutions has made her a sought after expert and speaker throughout the United States.
Melanie’s commitment to reconnect families through meaningful interactions and reestablishing balanced use of technology in the home and school is at the heart of Families Managing Media. Melanie knows first-hand the impact of screen addiction on a family and this has led to the development of cutting edge programs from Families Managing Media.
Dawn Poulterer Woods
Speaker
Dawn has her undergraduate degree in English from Messiah College and her master’s degree in Christian Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She has worked with adolescents, families, college age individuals, children, couples, and sexual offenders over the past 20 years in both private practice and the school system. Dawn has witnessed screen addiction steal relationships and derail the path of purpose in many people’s lives.
She speaks and writes for Families Managing Media with a goal of helping families reclaim their kids from screen addictions and reconnect in a healthy way.
Olivia Kernekin
Executive Assistant
Olivia Kernekin is a self-employed professional located in Dallas, Texas. She earned a dual degree in English and Dramatic Arts from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. A true jack-of-all-trades, she has worked many jobs in theatrical, medical, financial, and humanitarian fields.
Though Olivia doesn’t have kids quite yet, she is passionate about pausing screens and returning childhood to the great outdoors. She has worked for Families Managing Media since 2018.
Meagan Church
Communications
Meagan Church is a writer, wordsmith, and storyteller by trade. She earned a BA in English from Indiana University. She has worked as a freelance writer for over a decade, melding her storytelling talents and writing expertise with a variety of projects for an array of publications, readers, and clients.
Even while raising kids in a digitally-saturated culture, she and her husband have delayed entertainment screen use for their three kids. They believe in the importance of building grit, teaching life skills, and leaving space for boredom. They are advocates for family time over screen time.
Amy Eytchison
Editor
Amy Colgan Eytchison is a writer, editor, and educator based in Nashville, Tennessee. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Carolina Journalism School, Amy worked as a lifestyles reporter for two daily newspapers, writing about issues related to family life, before switching to public relations and advertising writing. When her children were born, she began freelance writing and editing, as well as homeschooling.
Because Amy became interested in the research surrounding electronic screens and their effect on childhood development when her children were young, she and her husband limited screen time and instead substituted read-alouds, music, art, sports, drama, and other creative activities throughout the growing up years. She’s passionate about sharing the message of Families Managing Media so that she can help encourage the next generation to become creators, rather than consumers.
Boards & Advisors
Board of Directors
Michael Salamone, Chairman
Ronald L. Brown, MD
Larry Hubatka
Tom Kakadelis
John Mullins
Candace Salamone
Wendy Schmidly
Advisory Board
Joe Clement
Richard Freed, PhD
Lt. Col. Dave Grossman
Tom Kersting, MA, LPC
Matt Miles
John Rosemond, Psychologist
Cris Rowan, OT
Jason Schmidly
Medical Advisory Board
Ronald Brown, MD
Hilarie Cash, MD
Andrew Doan, MD
Victoria Dunckley, MD
Sonny Long, DDS, MS
Jennifer McCauley, MD
Leonard Sax, MD
Raymond L Swetenburg, MD
Kenneth D. Weeks, Jr., MD
ScreenStrong Ambassadors
Patricia Gefert
Donna Hempe
Dawn Poulterer Woods
John Stemberger