Sextortion is a parent's worst nightmare. In this interview with cyberintelligence analyst Paul Raffile, parents will learn all about sextortion and how to protect our children. Paul answers important questions about sextortion including: Who is being targeted? Where are the scammers located? What platforms are at risk for sextortion? What should parents tell their children to protect them? If your child has been faced with sextortion, please report it to the National Center for Missing & Ex...
May 15, 2024•23 min
Ed Peisner is an accidental advocate. In 2017, his teenage son Jordan was viciously assaulted in West Hills, CA. The attack was filmed and uploaded to social media by an friend of the attacker. Jordan was left with serious and life-long injuries and will never be the same child. Ed has since dedicated his life to the goal of ensuring that no other family has to endure such a terrible ordeal at the hands of social media-induced violence. Together we break down the reality of how social media is a...
May 13, 2024•47 min
This episode is dedicated to the life of Jordan DeMay, cut short way too soon. Jordan was a victim of sextortion, an epidemic that we should all be ready to encounter. This interview is a raw conversation with John DeMay, Jordan's dad. John takes us through what happened to Jordan and what parents need to look out for. If you have encountered a sextortion scheme, please be sure to report it to NCMEC . This episode is sponsored by Bark Technologies. Learn about the Bark Phone . Learn about the Ba...
May 11, 2024•50 min
The Big Tech Gut Check is a super quick, weekly update on all things social media and Big Tech. The highlights for this week: TikTok sues the U.S. Government in response to new legislation A number of states pass laws to limit minor's use of social media President Biden passed the REPORT Act to fight sextortion Fentanyl-laced pills are sweeping the nation (and being sold on social media) New social media recommendations from Ofcom Check back on Fridays for everything that parents need to know ab...
May 10, 2024•10 min
I thoroughly enjoyed this wide-spanning conversation with Jessica Elefante. We cover so many topics related to parenting in a digital world. This is one of my favorite conversations so far. Jessica Elefante is an artist, an author, a mother and co-chair for Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA). Every mother (and parent) will relate to this very raw conversation where we dig into screen use, social media and all things parenting in a digital world. About Jessica Elefante She is the author of Ra...
May 09, 2024•47 min
Today's episode is about our kid's access to pornography. Kids are getting access to porn earlier and earlier. I wondered, how is the early access to today's boundary-pushing pornography affecting them? So I brought in Kristen A. Jenson of Defend Young Minds. Kristen advises parents when and how to have the conversation about pornography with our kids. One thing I learned -- we cannot let the internet teach our kids about sex and porn. The risks are too great. Website/Books: www.defendyoungminds...
May 06, 2024•41 min
The Big Tech Gut Check is a super quick, weekly update on all things social media and Big Tech. The highlights for this week: 🧐 New research from Pew Research Center on social media influence 💰 Issue One releases amount of $$ Big Tech spent lobbying against online safety 📱 NY Times Opinion : Are smartphones driving our teens to depression? ⚖️ Is Big Tech funding biased research studies? 👩⚖️ Updates on the TikTok law...will it be overturned? 🔐 A new solution for smartphone problems at schoo...
May 03, 2024•9 min
Welcome to Teachers Talk, a series on Scrolling 2 Death featuring candid discussions with teachers. Parents get the real deal on what's happening with screens at school. Today's episode features the incredible Reagan Berry, a High School Principal in West Texas.
May 02, 2024•41 min
This episode is all about Snapchat. It's a breakdown of the features that are harmful for minors (there are quite a few). I brought in Titania Jordan for this conversation, who is the Chief Marketing Officer of Bark Technologies. This episode actually took a crazy turn when I find out that Snapchat seems to have lied about turning off their controversial Solar System feature by default. Parents: If your child is on Snapchat or asking for Snapchat, please listen to this episode to ensure you're p...
Apr 29, 2024•26 min
The Big Tech Gut Check is a super quick, weekly update on all things social media and Big Tech. The highlights for this week: 👨⚖️ President Biden signs TikTok bill into law ‼️ TikTok found to be serving suicide content to minors 👻 Pedophiles are targeting our kids on Snapchat in droves 👨👨👧👦 Georgia passes a new social media law for minors under 16 💰 Instagram found to be profiting off of "nudify" apps Check back on Fridays for everything that parents need to know about the platforms o...
Apr 26, 2024•8 min
Welcome to Teachers Talk, a series on Scrolling 2 Death featuring candid discussions with teachers. Parents get the real deal on what's happening with screens at school. Today's episode features 12-grade English teacher Dean Bavisotto.
Apr 25, 2024•49 min
Today (April 24, 2024) President Biden signed a bill into law that is forcing ByteDance - the Chinese-based company who owns TikTok- to sell TikTok to an American company within a year or face a national ban. In this episode, I inform parents on what this law actually means for the American people and what will come next.
Apr 24, 2024•6 min
Parents have been asking me about BeReal. Is it safe? Should we let our kids use it? I did a deep dive and outlined the pros and cons of BeReal, in today's mini-episode of Scrolling 2 Death.
Apr 22, 2024•7 min
This interview with former Congressional staffer Patrick Lyden gives parents an understanding of how our children are currently protected when they spend time online and what legislation is needed. The biggest takeaway for me is that parents need to speak up about what we want regarding kids online safety. We also break down what's happening with the TikTok "ban," social media age restrictions, the current state of tech in schools and much more in the digital safety space. NOTE : This conversati...
Apr 22, 2024•45 min
The Big Tech Gut Check is a super quick, weekly update on all things social media and Big Tech. The highlights for this week: Updates on WhatsApp and the danger of encrypted messaging TikTok test accounts show that TikTok is suggesting suicidal content to teens Study shows link between social media use and gambling New research identifies most harmful aspects of social media for minors Update on this week's Congressional hearing What's happening with the TikTok "ban" (with special guest Patrick ...
Apr 19, 2024•12 min
Welcome to Teachers Talk, a brand new series here on Scrolling 2 Death. In these candid discussions with teachers, parents get the real deal on what's happening with screens in the classroom. Today's episode features High School teachers Matt Miles and Joe Clement. Matt and Joe are incredible advocates in this space and are authors of one of my favorite books, Screen Schooled: Two Veteran Teachers Expose How Technology Overuse Is Making Our Kids Dumber Be sure not to miss our version of "Mean ...
Apr 18, 2024•1 hr
This episode is all about social media safety. I constantly wonder; will my children be safe on social media? The short answer is no. To advise on the topic, I brought in Marc Berkman, who is the CEO of the Organization for Social Media Safety. Together, we walk through evidence-based harms that exist on social media and proposed legislation to make social media a safer space for us to connect. We also discuss this week's congressional hearing where we will learn more about 9 proposed online saf...
Apr 15, 2024•38 min
The Big Tech Gut Check is a super quick, weekly update on all things social media and Big Tech. The highlights for this week: What's really going on with TikTok? The imitation game continues with TikTok Notes Snapchat fools us all! More lawsuits against Big Tech KOSA and COPPA 2.0 introduced into the House Don't forget about Discord Check back on Fridays for everything that parents need to know about the platforms our children are spending hours on every day....
Apr 12, 2024•8 min
Welcome to Teachers Talk, a brand new series here on Scrolling 2 Death. In these candid discussions with teachers, parents get the real deal on what's happening with screens in the classroom. Today's episode features 9th grade Language Arts teacher Tara Hodgson. After 17 years of teaching, Tara has a well-earned perspective on how technology in school is affecting our kids. Here's a link to grab a copy of Tara's book ....
Apr 11, 2024•38 min
This conversation is all about our attention span. Where did it go? How do we regain control of attention? I was honored to be joined by data scientist and psychologist Dr. Gloria Mark. We dove into many of the issues that parents deal with on a daily basis; attention span, multitasking, digital habits and much more. I left this conversation with a much better understanding of what I can do in the home to regain control of my attention (and my kids' attentions) and lessen stress levels. Meet Dr....
Apr 08, 2024•46 min
Over 3.3 billion humans play video games. It can be an activity that connects us and brings people together from all over the world. There has been quite an evolution in gaming over the past couple of decades. Before I handed my young kids a gaming console, I wanted to know...what is gaming today really like. So I got on the line with gamers to find out what's really happening in the games spaces of today. What was revealed to me about gaming, particularly gaming online , is that there's a lot g...
Apr 06, 2024•35 min
The Big Tech Gut Check is a super quick, weekly update on all things social media and Big Tech. The highlights for this week: The book that will change the tide (The Anxious Generation) New CSAM research that parents need to be aware of Basically no parents use the parental controls on Snapchat and Discord Meta is sued for $7B by their own advertisers Snapchat's new ranking feature fuels teen anxiety Check back on Fridays for everything that parents need to know about the platforms our children ...
Apr 05, 2024•7 min
Welcome to the first installment of Teachers Talk, a brand new series here on Scrolling 2 Death. In these candid discussions with teachers, parents get the real deal on what's happening with screens at school. Today's episode features college instructor Dr. Jason Robinson. We discussed the pitfalls, and even the benefits, of allowing devices in his college lecture hall. Meet Dr. Robinson Dr. Jason Robinson is a Senior Lecturer at the University of North Georgia. He currently is a Faculty member ...
Apr 04, 2024•55 min
In this conversation, I was joined by Chris McKenna of Protect Young Eyes to dive into all things digital safety. We talk about when and how to give your child a device, danger areas online, how to talk to your child about online risks and much, much more. Chris is a wealth of information, having spoken in countless schools and to parent groups around the country. About Chris McKenna: Former consultant, youth ministry director. Author of resources for families and churches on digital safety and ...
Apr 01, 2024•41 min
The Big Tech Gut Check is a super quick, weekly update on all things social media and Big Tech. The highlights for this week: More on Florida's social media ban for minors New CSAM research that parents need to know UK research shows teen girls expect to be harassed online Creative ways predators are manipulating our kids Latest research on boys being fed misogynistic content Court documents reveal that Meta was snooping on Snapchat user data Meta restricts political content (even mine?) Check b...
Mar 29, 2024•8 min
Disclaimer: This conversation discusses child sexual abuse material. Please listen or watch with caution. This is a conversation that no one wants to have, but everyone should be having. It's about Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Cyber trauma expert Cath Knibbs joins me today on Scrolling 2 Death to educate parents on what is happening with our childrens' photos online. You'll get a basic understanding of the risks and how to avoid them. I cannot stress the importance of understanding the la...
Mar 28, 2024•51 min
This episode is all about drug sales on social media. If you think this can't get your child, you're mistaken. Nicki interviews Bill Bodner, retired DEA Special Agent in Charge to expose the modern day drug market, which is social media. No longer do people have to go to a seedy area to purchase illegal drugs. They only have to open their phone and click on Snapchat. In this conversation, Special Agent Bodner details exactly how drug dealers are getting in front of our kids and what parents can ...
Mar 25, 2024•35 min
The Big Tech Gut Check is a super quick, weekly update on all things social media and Big Tech. The highlights for this week: Massacre case in Buffalo, NY (why the victims are suing Big Tech) Pornhub is not happy with Texas 15 U.S. states are suing Apple Is cyber-flashing a crime? A new update from the U.S. Surgeon General A must-read book for parents New Meta whistleblower warns about self-harm content Check back on Fridays for everything that parents need to know about the platforms our childr...
Mar 22, 2024•8 min
This is a relatable and candid conversation about the digital devices shaping our children's lives, as we tackle the challenges of parenting in the age of technology. In this episode, Nicki is joined by the incredible Nate Webb, an esteemed school speaker, professional counselor, devoted husband, and father. With his expertise spanning bullying prevention, screen time management, and digital safety, Nate brings invaluable insights to the table. Together, we navigate through the myriad concerns c...
Mar 21, 2024•34 min
This is the story of Selena Rodriguez, who took her own life at 11 years old after suffering an extreme social media addiction. Selena's mom, Tammy, is a warrior who shares Selena's story to help other families avoid this tragedy. Disclaimer : This episode includes the story of an 11-year-old who died by suicide. If this will be too upsetting for you, please skip to the next episode. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the Sui...
Mar 18, 2024•26 min
