Samantha Ettus: Why Parents Are Panicking About Their Kids’ Beliefs | DSH #1736

Jan 6, 2026

Samantha Ettus, an entrepreneur and media commentator, dives into the urgent issue of youth radicalization online. She shares her personal experiences, including losing her home in wildfires and the challenges of becoming an accidental news source after October 7th. The conversation reveals how social media shapes political identities, why disinformation spreads faster than corrections, and the alarming influence of TikTok algorithms on Gen Z beliefs. Samantha emphasizes the critical need for media literacy and teaching kids to think critically about the narratives they encounter.

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ANECDOTE

Losing A Home And Community

Samantha Ettus lost her Pacific Palisades home and many community landmarks in the fires, which felt like losing an entire childhood.
She describes packing only for nights and returning to find every familiar place gone, including her kids' school and local hikes.

ANECDOTE

Bar Mitzvah Day That Changed Her Focus

On October 7th Samantha shifted from posting party photos to educating herself and sharing digestible updates about Israel.
She read a book a night to become the source she wished she'd had and began summarizing complex events simply.

INSIGHT

Disinformation Outpaces Corrections

Samantha calls the current moment a disinformation and propaganda war that targets Israel and young people.
She uses sources like Telegram to find early reports and then double-checks with a second source.

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