Scrolling 2 Death

In this episode, Nicki Reisberg sits down with Vermont State Representative Angela Arsenault to talk about her groundbreaking Phone and Social Media Free Schools Bill. They explore how removing digital distractions from the classroom can support students’ academic growth, social development, and mental health. Rep. Arsenault opens up about navigating tech use with her own kids and addresses the common concerns from parents and educators about safety and communication. They also dig into the legislative side of things—how schools can implement healthier tech policies, why student data privacy matters, and what role parents can play in driving change. It’s an honest, insightful look at what it really takes to make schools safer and more focused in a digital age.If you would like to join a weekly Zoom meeting to learn more about bringing Phone-Free Schools to your state, register here.Review the specifics of the Phones and Social Media-Free Schools bill here.

This week, I break down why I’ve filed a lawsuit against Seesaw, one of the most widely used EdTech apps in K–6 classrooms—and what every parent needs to know about how their child’s personal data is being harvested, stored, and shared without their consent.Seesaw claims to help track student learning progress. But what I discovered when I requested access to the data they’d collected about my children left me physically sick: thousands of files, photos, videos, audio clips, journal entries, even AI-generated assignments—much of it deeply personal, intimate, and shockingly invasive.Joining me is Attorney Andy Liddell from the Ed Tech Law Center, who walks us through the legal violations at play, how edtech companies are bypassing federal law, and how schools are unintentionally (or knowingly) exposing kids to serious data privacy and safety risks.If you think this couldn’t happen to your child—you need to listen. Because if they use school-issued iPads, Chromebooks, or apps like Seesaw, it already is.If you're a parent, teacher, or school leader who wants to understand your rights—and your child’s rights—don’t miss this episode.Contact Andy and Julie Liddell of EdTech Law Center here.

Are phones ruining school?  One high school principal says yes, and he did something about it.At Bullard High in Fresno, California, students wandered the halls like zombies, glued to their screens. Lunchtime was silent. Classrooms were battlegrounds for attention. Test scores dropped. Anxiety soared.Principal Armen Torigian, a Bullard alumnus, took pride in his community and remembered a very different high school experience. He knew times had changed, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that students deserved better—high school should be better than this.So he made a bold move: a bell-to-bell phone ban.It wasn’t easy. Parents pushed back. Students threatened him and his family. But he held the line, convinced it was the right thing to do. Was it?Join Principal Torigan and Nicki of Scrolling 2 Death as they unpack the ban, the fallout, and the promising changes unfolding on campus. His experience makes us reconsider: what role should phones play in our classrooms and our daily lives?

15% of High Schoolers say they know someone in their school who has had deepfake pornography made of them in the last year.In this eye-opening episode, Nicki Reisberg sits down with Adam Billen of Encode to unpack some of the most urgent and unsettling developments in AI—from the rise of chatbots to the explosion of deep fakes. They dive into what Meta is up to with its new chatbot rollout on Instagram, and why that should raise red flags for anyone with kids online. The conversation then turns to deep fakes—how scarily easy they are to make, and the real damage they can cause, especially to children. Nicki and Adam break it all down and call for action—from parents, lawmakers, and schools—to step up and protect the next generation.Watch or listen to Nicki and Adam's first conversation about AI chatbots here.Take it Down Tool by NCMECChild Deepfake Incident Map

 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:Parents Who Lost Children to Online Harms Protest Outside Meta NYCMeta Tries to Help Parents Enroll More Teens into Teen AccountsMeta's Digital Companions Will Talk Sex with Users -- Even ChildrenSnapchat Announces Family Safety HubSnapchat Distracts with Support of National Fentanyl Awareness Day[RESEARCH] New Study Shows Teens Admit Social Media is Bad for ThemTrump Signs Executive Order Advancing AI in EducationTake it Down Act Passes House - On President's Desk for SignatureThis episode is sponsored by Bark Technologies.Learn about the Bark PhoneLearn about the Bark App for iPhones and Androids  *Use code SCROLLING2DEATH FOR 10% OFFLearn about the Bark Watch 

Is screen time silently sabotaging your child’s health? In this eye-opening episode, pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Nidhi Gupta breaks down the hidden toll excessive screen use takes on kids' physical and mental well-being—from disrupted sleep and metabolic issues to rising anxiety and attention problems. She shares age-specific screen time recommendations, the dangers of early exposure to smartphones and social media, and why parents must walk the talk when it comes to digital habits. Packed with science-backed insights and practical tips, this conversation is a must-listen for any caregiver ready to raise digitally healthy kids in a tech-obsessed world.Dr. Nidhi Gupta is a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist, award-winning researcher, TEDx speaker, and a leading expert in digital wellness in Nashville, TN.Her upcoming book Calm the Noise (Why Adults Must Escape Digital Addiction to Save the Next Generation) promises to transform the understanding of digital wellness and inspire meaningful change.In 2019, driven by her personal and professional experiences, Dr. Gupta founded the Phreedom Foundation (Ungrip Devices. Grip Life), a non-profit dedicated to inspiring individuals reclaim their time and attention, unlocking the joys of life beyond screens.Her research highlights the profound impact of excessive screen time on both mental and physical health, linking it to obesity, sleep disorders, diabetes, heightened cravings for unhealthy foods, poor communication skills, and learning deficits. These findings have positioned Dr. Gupta as a trusted voice on the health consequences of digital overuse.She is the creator of ReConnect, an evidence-based program providing families, educators, and professionals with actionable strategies to overcome digital distractions at home and workplace.Dr. Gupta is passionate about creating a healthier, more connected world through education, advocacy, and practical solutions.

What happens when parenting meets the digital age? In this episode, Nicki Reisberg sits down with family therapist Joanne Doucette to unpack the growing mental health challenges families face—especially when screens, gaming, and social media are part of everyday life.With over 25 years of experience supporting parents and kids, Joanne shares what she's seeing on the front lines: rising anxiety, disconnection, and confusion around how to set tech boundaries that actually stick. Together, Nicki and Joanne explore why open, honest conversations matter more than ever—especially when it comes to tough topics like online content, gaming habits, and screen time battles at home.They dive into real-life parenting struggles, like what to do when you're not on the same page with your partner, how to stay connected to your kids in a digital world, and why community support is key when navigating this new tech terrain.This is a powerful conversation for anyone who’s ever wondered: Am I doing enough? Am I doing it right? (Spoiler: You’re not alone.)Connect with Joanne here.Joanne Doucette is a therapist, speaker, and advocate for family mental health, with 25 years of experience helping children, teens, and their parents navigate life’s toughest challenges. As a dedicated social worker, she has worked in inpatient mental health and palliative care at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Now in private practice, she focuses on equipping parents in the community with the tools and confidence to support children coping with anxiety, depression, grief, and neurodivergence.Joanne believes that parents are their child’s most powerful resource. Rooted in a no-blame, deeply compassionate approach, she helps families strengthen connection, resilience, and healing. She challenges the societal forces that undermine parent-child relationships—such as the unregulated influence of technology—advocating for changes that protect children’s well-being. Through therapy, workshops, and community education, she empowers parents to navigate these pressures while staying grounded in what matters most: their connection with their child.As both a therapist and a mother of two, with 20 years of parenting experience, Joanne understands firsthand the challenges families face. She is dedicated to ensuring parents feel supported, not judged, and offers hope, practical strategies, and a path forward—helping families create a healthier, more connected future at home and in their communities.

What’s really going on with Meta and what does it mean for kids? In this episode, Nicki Reisberg sits down with Titania Jordan—chief marketing officer at Bark Technologies—to unpack what the latest headlines actually mean for parents and kids. They dive into the ongoing struggle to keep children safe online, the loopholes predators still exploit, and why Meta’s so-called “safety measures” might not be enough. Plus, they break down the growing legal heat Meta’s facing and what it could mean for the future of digital child protection. It’s a raw, real, and eye-opening conversation you don’t want to miss.Interviews mentioned during this episode:Sarah Gardner with Heat InitiativeDavid Erb, Facebook WhistleblowerSarah with Mom UnchartedSam Chapman, dad of Sammy re. Sammy's LawThis episode is sponsored by Bark Technologies:Learn about the Bark PhoneLearn about the Bark App for iPhones and Androids  *Use code SCROLLING2DEATH FOR 10% OFFLearn about the Bark Watch 

"My generation wishes we didn't get social media so young. Everyone regrets being allowed to access these platforms. Everyone wishes their parents put more restrictions on their phone. Everyone wishes that they got to enjoy a more carefree childhood."At 20, Maya Englehorn reflects on getting her first smartphone when she was a freshman in high school, but being allowed on Instagram – via tablet – at age nine.  Back then, Instagram was simpler - no ads, sponsored posts, or TikTok-like reels. Even so, she wishes her parents had also delayed her social media use.What started as a college project on the mental health impacts of tech helped Maya see the dangers of tech for children. Her conviction led her to join Wired Human Youth Coalition, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness on digital harms and amplifying youth voices in political advocacy. The more she learns, the more she understands how social media highjacks childhood innocence.  With Wired Human Youth Coalition, Maya helped lead a survey exploring the effects of social media on high-school and college students. Their findings point to the addictive nature of social media and a clear link between time spent online and increased anxiety, depression and guilt.  Tune in as Nicki from Scrolling 2 Death unpacks the data – and hear Maya’s compelling take on Gen Z growing up in a digital world.Maya Englehorn is a Junior at Belmont University in Nashville Tennessee, studying Global Leadership and Business Administration. Maya is actively involved in the Wired Human Youth Coalition, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting discussions on online harms and mental health with a focus on empowering young voices to lead the conversation in political advocacy.Over the past year, she conducted a survey exploring the impact of social media on high school and college students. In February, she presented her findings at the U.S. Capital Roundtable on Kids Online Safety, calling for stronger digital protections.Maya is committed to being a voice of hope for her generation, aiming to pursue a path addressing today's most pressing challenges. After graduation, she hopes to build a career at the intersection of global development and social impact, working to empower communities and contribute to lasting, meaningful solutions worldwide.Connect with Maya on LinkedIn here.

What if the very tech your kids use every day was designed to hijack their minds?In this powerful and unfiltered conversation, child psychologist Dr. Richard Freed exposes how Big Tech is using persuasive design to keep kids hooked on social media and video games—no matter the cost to their mental health. He dives into the psychological tricks baked into these platforms, the skyrocketing rates of anxiety and depression in kids, and the chilling truth: tech insiders know the damage and still push these products on your family.Dr. Freed pulls no punches as he reveals how schools, nonprofits, and even “educational” programs are often quietly influenced by industry money. He calls out the disturbing double standard between how tech elites protect their own kids—and how the rest of us are left to deal with the fallout.If you're a parent, educator, or just someone who cares about kids, this conversation is your call to action. Dr. Freed shares real, practical steps to fight back, reclaim your child’s well-being, and build stronger connections that matter more than likes, streaks, or screen time.Get Richard's book here: Better Than Real Life: How Silicon Valley's Secret Science of Persuasive Design is Stealing ChildhoodRichard Freed, PhD, is a psychologist, author, and his insights have been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other media outlets. He has dedicated his professional life to unmasking how Silicon Valley has joined forces with leading psychological experts to create the powerful science of persuasive design that is stealing a generation of youth away from the real world to live on social media, video games, and online video. He advocates that a science-based childhood focused around the real-world activities of family, school, and the outdoors must be made available to all children. Dr. Freed lives in Walnut Creek, California and is the proud father of two daughters.