The Middle with Jeremy Hobson Is social media safe for kids?
Jul 18, 2025
Julie Scelfo, a leader in combating media addiction, joins filmmaker Matthew O'Neill to discuss the perilous landscape of social media for kids. They delve into alarming issues like mental health impacts, online predators, and the addictive nature of platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The conversation highlights the urgent need for parental guidance and regulatory action to protect young users. They also explore the bipartisan push to raise the legal age for social media, emphasizing the collective responsibility of society to ensure a safer online environment.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Tragic Sextortion Case
- Jordan Dume was sextorted into paying money by someone posing as a peer online.
- Unable to pay demanded sums, he tragically took his own life following the abuse.
Social Media Fracks Kids' Brains
- Social media exposes kids to high volumes of diverse, rapid content styles that degrade focus and learning.
- This environment harms cognitive, social, emotional, and academic development in children.
Adults Must Regulate Social Media
- Adults must regulate kids' social media access, not children themselves.
- Age restrictions exist on other risky substances; social media should be treated similarly.
