Today I'm joined by attorney Laura Marquez-Garrett to review the latest series of events in the world of Snapchat. Snap rolled out new "safety features," but will these features really protect children from being contacted by strangers on Snapchat? The short answer is no, but there is much more harm lurking within Snapchat than meets the eye. Join Laura and I as we take parents through the app that has fooled us all; an addictive torture den that masquerades itself as a "whimsical candy castle" ...
Jul 06, 2024•48 min
The Big Tech Gut Check is a super quick, weekly update on all things social media and Big Tech. Social Media & Big Tech highlights for this week: 32-year-old Man Targets Minors on Snapchat ( detail here ) Important Updates from Aspen Ideas Panel ( Teens and Screens Panel ) Senator Schumer Faces Heat as Landmark Bill to Protect Kids Online Stalls ( NY Post article ) Threads Reaches 175M Users; A Review of the Danger of Threads Contact your Representative in the House: Visit house.gov and ente...
Jul 05, 2024•6 min
Therapist Andrea Brambila (of mega-popular @brambila_bits) joins me today for an honest conversation about kids and screens. As moms who both raised babies during COVID, we compare notes on the highs and lows of our efforts to maintain low-tech households. Andrea is an experienced mental health therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health and developmental psychology. She encourages parents to reduce the overwhelm and overstimulation through independent play and low-screen living. Person...
Jul 04, 2024•54 min
If you have questions or concern about your childrens' screen time, this is the episode for you. I'm joined by pediatrician and clinical researcher Dr. John Hutton, and we dive into health concerns regarding digital media use in children, impacts on caregiver-child connection, brain development and alternatives to digital media. Dr. Hutton is an Associate Professor, Division of General & Community Pediatrics at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Attending Physician, Children...
Jul 01, 2024•41 min
The Big Tech Gut Check is a super quick, weekly update on all things social media and Big Tech. Social Media & Big Tech highlights for this week: Snapchat Announces Safety Updates (in response to a barrage of bad press ) Warning! New App OmeTV is the New Omegle (not safe for kids) Surgeon General's ' Social Media Warning Label ' Recommendation Receives Pushback Meta Failed Children on Safety ( NY Times Reports ) TikTok Defends Against "Foreign Adversary" Label in Lawsuit Check back on Friday...
Jun 28, 2024•9 min
This is an honest conversation between two moms about screen time; the research, the struggles and a few tips. Screen time can be a complicated topic with the wide variety of devices that exist within our childrens' worlds. Joined by Titania Jordan of Bark Technologies, we weed through these intricacies and offer advice for parents looking to get a handle on their kids' screen time. This episode is sponsored by Bark Technologies. Learn about the Bark App for iPhones and Androids: https://info.ba...
Jun 27, 2024•23 min
Today you'll learn all about the speed challenge, which has been making its way around social media for at least 12 years. This involves social media-fueled algorithms which are encouraging children to reach speeds of 130 mph and above. This conversation features Meg Stuhmer, whose daughter was a victim of the speed challenge in 2021. She bravely tells her story so that others can get ahead of this dangerous trend. There is currently a lack of regulation requiring social media to keep our childr...
Jun 24, 2024•34 min
The Big Tech Gut Check is a super quick, weekly update on all things social media and Big Tech. Social Media & Big Tech highlights for this week: Rolling Stone Implicates Snapchat in Teen Opioid Epidemic ( Rolling Stone piece and my interview with Paul Solotaroff ) U.S. Surgeon General Urges Congress to Require Warning Label for Social Media ( article here ) Los Angeles School District Approves Strict Phone Ban ( article here ) Governor Gavin Newsom Calls for State-wide Phone Ban in Schools ...
Jun 21, 2024•7 min
In this conversation, Susan Linn discusses the harmful effects of marketing to children and the overuse of technology in their lives. She emphasizes the importance of unstructured play and creativity; stressing that kids can amuse and soothe themselves without needing a device. We also dive into the current state of EdTech in schools, highlighting the lack of research supporting its effectiveness. Don't miss the story of Dr. Linn's career and as a ventriloquist at the end of the episode! I highl...
Jun 20, 2024•47 min
Rolling Stone has implicated Snapchat in fueling a teen opioid crisis. Paul Solotaroff has been a Senior Writer at Rolling Stone for 25 years. He writes about the denial of justice, about people who have been horrifically abused, like NFL retirees with brain injuries, Iraqi veterans and unfortunately today, it’s KIDS ON SNAPCHAT. In this conversation, Paul discusses the investigation into how drug dealers are using Snapchat to sell fake pills containing fentanyl to children, leading to poisoning...
Jun 18, 2024•42 min
This episode is dedicated to the life of Zach Didier, forever 17. "We're losing a classroom of students every week," shares Chris Didier. We're way past "not my kid." Fentanyl does not discriminate and parents need to get educated on this epidemic. There is a new category of victim where children are trying something they think is harmless, but it's lethal. As parents, need we to up our game and keep our kids away from this danger. In this discussion with Chris Didier, parents will learn about C...
Jun 17, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Paul Solotaroff has been a Senior Writer at Rolling Stone for 25 years. He writes about the denial of justice, about people who have been horrifically abused, like NFL retirees with brain injuries, Iraqi veterans and unfortunately today, it’s KIDS ON SNAPCHAT. Paul just released an expose on the Snapchat drug trade, and parents everywhere are going to need to read up. I have an in-depth interview with Paul dropping on June 17. For now, watch this overview of the Rolling Stone article that droppe...
Jun 17, 2024•11 min
A safer web is possible. One that prioritizes safety and human rights. One that gives us back control over our data and our personhood. In this in-depth conversation with American billionaire and entrepreneur, Frank McCourt, he paints a picture of a future that is bright. We start with a discussion about Frank's "people's bid" to purchase TikTok; but this is about more than TikTok. It's about building technology to connect us and bring us together, instead of tearing us apart. This is the work b...
Jun 15, 2024•41 min
The Big Tech Gut Check is a super quick, weekly update on all things social media and Big Tech. Social Media & Big Tech highlights for this week: Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts co-sponsors Sammy's Law New York Governor Kathy Hochul pushes through major social media legislation Remote Amazon tribe connects to Musk's Starlink and immediately becomes hooked on social media and porn TikTok is testing Snapchat like Streaks - article here New Study finds that internet addiction alters brain ch...
Jun 14, 2024•7 min
Parents have it rough. There are no perfect options when it comes to our kids and tech. But there is hope! Today's conversation features Josh Golin of Fairplay, who is working to enhance children's wellbeing by eliminating the exploitative and harmful business practices of marketers and Big Tech. We discuss the reality of parenting in today's digital world, from tech in schools to social media concerns to kids online safety legislation. As with all conversations on Scrolling 2 Death, I hope you ...
Jun 13, 2024•50 min
Parents have a voice in the fight for kids' online safety. In the words of Congresswoman Kat Cammack, "At the end of the day, the Big Tech companies don't vote for me; parents back home vote for me. I want to do everything I possibly can to protect them and their families." In this conversation, we uncover the risks that social media poses to our children and what parents can do about it. Specifically, we get deep into what's happening with TikTok. Representative Cammack explains TikTok's ties t...
Jun 12, 2024•28 min
Matt Capelouto lost his daughter Alexandra to a fentanyl poisoning from a fake pill she purchased on Snapchat. The dangers of fentanyl are real and they are in the hands of children like yours. Through this vulnerable story, parents will learn about the fentanyl epidemic and how you can protect your children through preparation and open conversations. Learn about Matt's organization called Drug Induced Homicide . If you're interested in supporting Alexandra's Law and live in California: Sign up ...
Jun 10, 2024•42 min
Jennie DeSerio lost her 16-year-old son Mason to suicide after he was served countless TikTok videos glorifying suicide. In this vulnerable discussion, Jennie warns parents against social media harms and describes several federal bills which would help protect our children online. To make your voice heard, contact your representative in the House and also your Senators: Contact your Representative in the House: Visit house.gov and enter ZIP code at the top right to find your representative Conta...
Jun 06, 2024•40 min
I was honored to welcome Senator Marsha Blackburn for an important conversation about the safety of our children online. Together, we address the dangers of social media for children and the fight against sextortion. Senator Blackburn emphasizes the need for online safety legislation, accountability for social media platforms, and the importance of parental support in passing much-needed bills like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). Our legislators can't do it alone. They need to hear from paren...
Jun 05, 2024•11 min
In this interview, I welcomed Julie Scelfo, the Founder and Executive Director of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA). Parents will relate to our candid conversation about the state of today's media-addicted world, and walk away with motivation and a plan of action to better protect your kids online. About Julie Scelfo: Julie Scelfo is Founder and Executive Director of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA), a grassroots movement of parents fighting back against media addiction and creating a...
Jun 03, 2024•28 min
The Big Tech Gut Check is a super quick, weekly update on all things social media and Big Tech. Social Media & Big Tech highlights for this week: Updates on the TikTok Divest-or-Ban legislation China to start censoring "wealth-flaunting" on TikTok Billionaire Frank McCourt's bid to buy TikTok More school boards sue Snapchat, TikTok and Meta Meta shareholders protest over child safety concerns Maryland passes Maryland Kids Code Latest mark-up of KOSA and APRA The rising sextortion epidemic (h...
May 31, 2024•7 min
Welcome to Teachers Talk , a series on Scrolling 2 Death featuring candid discussions with teachers. Parents are going to get the real deal on what's happening with screens at school, how tech is affecting students' learning and teachers' jobs. Today's episode features former Waldorf educator Brooke Natzke. Brooke answers common questions such as: What is the origin of the Waldorf education? How does the Waldorf approach compare/contrast to public schools? Montessori schools? What is the Waldorf...
May 30, 2024•39 min
Many parents ask the question; How does social media use really affect our kids? This is the question that is answered today with special guest Kris Perry of the Children and Screens Institute . Together, we explore many topics related to kids and media use, with an emphasis on the importance of unbiased research and desperate need for online safety legislation. About Kris Perry: Kris Perry currently serves as Executive Director for Children and Screens Institute, having previously served as Sen...
May 27, 2024•39 min
This is a conversation that parents should bring their teens into. Ava Smithing is a Gen Z adovcate for kid's online safety who is dedicated to making social media safer. Ava shares her vulnerable story of struggling with an eating disorder that was encouraged by social media, and gives parents invaluable insights into life as a Gen Z'er. "I learned through social media that I shouldn't be eating, how not to eat and how to hide it from my family." This episode is jam-packed with advice for paren...
May 25, 2024•52 min
The Big Tech Gut Check is a super quick, weekly update on all things social media and Big Tech. Social Media & Big Tech highlights for this week: FBI warns parents on sextortion; more teens are targeted Meta and Google spend $1M to fight New York child safety bills Two major hearings this week to discuss online safety bills An update on the TikTok divest-or-ban legislation Important update for parents related to our kids' access to fentanyl Contact your Representative in the House: Visit hou...
May 24, 2024•8 min
This episode is all about sextortion. What do parents need to know about the sextortion epidemic? If you think your kid is immune to this threat, unfortunately it's affecting hundreds of thousands of American teenagers. I'm joined by Titania Jordan of Bark Technologies to educate parents on what to look out for and how to protect your child from sextortion. If your child has been faced with sextortion, please report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) Cyber Tip...
May 23, 2024•22 min
Just two moms talking about childrens' online safety...except one mom is also a Congresswoman and Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers is the first female Chair of one of the most powerful committees in the House of Representatives. This committee is dedicated to providing parents with safeguards to get our children protected online. This is an all-out war against Big Tech and our childrens' lives are at stake. Use your voice and let's get our ki...
May 21, 2024•25 min
The fentanyl epidemic has reached our kids with the distribution of fake pills on Snapchat. Today's guest is Jaime Puerta of V.O.I.D. Jaime is an incredible warrior and advocate who lost his son Daniel to a fentanyl-laced pill purchased on Snapchat. Jaime answers all the questions parents may have about the fentanyl epidemic; where it's coming from, what does it look like, how are kids getting it and how we can protect our own kids. This episode is dedicated to the life of Daniel Joseph Puerta J...
May 20, 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: 🇺🇸 Sextortion schemes spike in the U.S. and other western countries 👨⚖️ President Biden passed the REPORT Act to fight sextortion 💍 NY Times reveals Meta is serving children's photos to pedophiles in advertisements 📱 New Mexico exposes Meta through Operation MetaPhile ‼️ European Union announces formal investigation into Meta for child safety concerns 🧐 New researc...
May 17, 2024•11 min
Welcome to Teachers Talk, a series on Scrolling 2 Death featuring candid discussions with teachers. Parents are going to get the real deal on what's happening with screens at school, how tech is affecting students' learning and teachers' jobs. Today's episode features a high school teacher in Chicago named Kara Waddell. This episode is sponsored by Bark Technologies. Learn about the Bark Phone . Learn about the Bark App for iPhones and Androids . (use code SCROLLING2DEATH for 10% off)...
May 16, 2024•42 min
