Scrolling 2 Death

Today, April 16, 2025, Jonathan's Haidt's team at the Anxious Generation released an in-depth report into the harms of Snapchat. They examined court cases, reviewed internal documents and even spoke with top executives, finding that Snapchat is harming children at a scale we never imagined.In this mini-episode of Scrolling 2 Death, I break down what parents need to know about Snapchat. You can access the full report on the After Babel Substack here. 

In this episode, Nicki Reisberg sits down with Jack Hughes, a passionate 18-year-old and online safety advocate, for a candid and eye-opening chat about what it really takes to keep kids safe in the digital world. Jack opens up about his own experiences growing up with devices and why so many of the parental control tools out there just don’t cut it. They dive into why parents need more than just tech—they need real understanding.Together, they unpack everything from the misleading comfort of app store ratings to the peer pressure teens feel around having the "right" devices. Jack also shares some of the clever (and kind of shocking) ways kids find to get around parental controls. Most importantly, Jack stresses the importance of parents staying actively involved—not just setting limits, but truly knowing what their kids are doing online. This is a must-listen for any parent feeling overwhelmed by digital parenting. Jack brings solid advice and helpful resources to make the journey a little less daunting—and a lot more empowered.Jack Hughes helps parents protect their kids online. As an 18-year-old, he grew up in this digital age, and knows firsthand the dangers of the internet. Growing up in the digital world has made Jack an expert in everything parental controls and the dangers of the Internet. He also knows all the secrets and loopholes that kids know about Technology and parental controls. Connect with Jack here.

I gave up my iPhone for a healthier phone (for 30 days). My goals were to be more present with my kids, find better screen time balance and improve my need to be productive at all times. To slow down! I chose the Wisephone for this test because it is the most advanced, intentional phone for adults. It has all the things I need, but none of the apps that can addict me. No, I'm not sponsored! Just curious. I'd love to hear from any parents who have tried alternative phones like the Wisephone, The Light Phone or others...to swap stories!

 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:Meta Expands Teen AccountsFacebook Whistleblower Speaks to Congress (opening statement)Fairplay Files FTC Complaint Against MetaSnapchat Announces Support of Take it Down ActTrump States TikTok Deal is "Still on the table."Statement from ByteDance on TikTok Deal[STUDY] TikTok Ban Loses Support Among Americans[STUDY] Prevalence and Patterns of Social Media Use in Early Adolescents[STUDY] Social Media Use at Bedtime

Girl meets Instagram. And then her childhood – and her life -  are forever altered by the effects of social media. This is what the Surgeon General is telling us. This is what the research is showing us: rising depression, anxiety, eating disorders and suicides. But behind this data, real people are suffering the consequences.Kara Alaimo, communications professor and author of  Over the Influence: Why Social Media is Toxic for Women and Girls – And How We Can Take It Back, has researched social media since 2016. Through her interviews, she’s heard countless stories of algorithms leading users from a subtle interest to a dangerous spiral.  Engaging with a workout post led to a feed full of ‘fitspo’ content, featuring influencers with unrealistic body standards – which led to body dysmorphia,  disordered eating and lasting mental health struggles.“We grew up with Seventeen Magazine, which also promoted unrealistic beauty standards, but we didn’t spend hours a day - every day - looking at it,” Kara explains. It’s the combination of toxic content and the time spent that creates actual harm for young girls.Tune in to hear Nicki of Scrolling 2 Death and Kara discuss her research insights and strategies for managing kids’ social media use.Kara Alaimo, PhD is a communication professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she created the university’s academic programs in social media. Her book Over the Influence: Why Social Media is Toxic for Women and Girls – And How We Can Take It Back explains how social media is affecting every aspect of the lives of women and girls and what we can do about it. She has been writing opinion and analysis pieces for CNN about the social impact of social media since 2016. She speaks frequently to parents and students in schools about how to handle kids’ social media use. For more information, visit www.karaalaimo.com and follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky. 

In this episode, Nicki Reisberg sits down (virtually) with Chris Vineis, founder of Unite for Safe Social Media, to dive into the critical role grandparents can play in protecting kids online. Christine shares her journey from government relations to online safety advocacy, highlighting why we need a united front—parents, grandparents, and communities—to push for change.They tackle the real dangers kids face on social media, how to align between parent and grandparent approach to screen use, and the urgent need for legislative action. Plus, they explore how AI is reshaping the online world and why it’s more important than ever to equip kids with the right tools to navigate it safely.It’s a conversation about bridging generations, taking action, and making the digital world safer for the next generation. Tune in!

In this episode, Titania Jordan dives into her book Parental Control, sharing real-world advice for parents trying to navigate the wild world of raising kids in the digital age. We cover everything from the impact of technology on mental health to building resilience and setting up solid parental controls. Titania breaks down why protecting kids' sleep is a game-changer, how to create safe environments, and the very real dangers lurking online and even in schools. Plus, she shares must-have resources to help parents take charge of their kids' tech use.[Get the Book] Parental ControlThis 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  

In 2015, Tessa Stuckey noticed a troubling trend as teenagers began flooding her therapy office. Their grievances were no different than those she faced as a teen -  failing tests, feeling left out, disappointing mom and dad – but their discomfort was leading straight to thoughts of self-harm and suicide. A correlation between rising harms and screen time became clear to her.As a mom of four, Tessa was all-in on iPads as a “babysitter” when they went to restaurants or a quick fix for tantrums.  However, after researching social media and screen addiction, she saw the undeniable impact on youth’s mental health. She vowed to make a change for her family and help spread awareness to others. Tune in to hear Nicki of Scrolling 2 Death and Tessa share how they successfully scaled back screens in their homes and the changes they saw in their families. As a seasoned family therapist, parenting coach, and mental health expert, Tessa offers helpful advice for parents rooted in professional expertise and personal experience.About Tessa StuckeyTessa Stuckey is a seasoned family therapist, parenting coach, and mental health expert with over 10 years of experience in the field. She is the author of the acclaimed book, For the Sake of Our Youth: A Therapist's Perspective on Raising Your Family in Today's Culture, which provides invaluable insights into navigating the challenges of modern parenting. As a dedicated mother of four, Stuckey combines professional expertise with personal experience to offer practical, compassionate guidance to families.In addition to her clinical work, Stuckey is the co-founder of the nonprofit LookUp, an organization dedicated to helping families address the growing concerns of social media and screen addiction and their impact on youth's mental health. Her work has empowered countless parents to build strong, healthy relationships with their children while addressing the complex dynamics of today's society.Get connected with Tessa here.

When Chromebooks hit the market in 2010, they were a flop. Desperate to avoid significant losses, a savvy group of Google executives struck a deal with educators to provide Chromebooks to schools. “To help children build 21st century skills,” they said. Instead, we’re uncovering a growing number of harms and real-life tragedies caused by school devices.  The problem? A Chromebook is essentially just a ‘browser in a box,’ giving kids unlimited – and often unsupervised - internet access. Meanwhile, the data collection behind these devices is unclear, with schools in charge of ‘opting in’ for our children. But does your school understand how this data is used? Do youAndy Liddell of EdTech Law Center joins Nicki of Scrolling 2 Death to discuss the risks of school-issued devices and share ways parents can protect their kids from exploitative tech.Resources mentioned in the episode: Tech-safe Learning Coalition (TLC) - Resources for parents related to school-issued tech[Book] The Age of Surveillance Capitalism[Book] Means of Control[Book] Weapons of Math DestructionAbout Andy Liddell:Andy Liddell is a career federal courts litigator and technology attorney. Before joining the EdTech Law Center in early 2025, he spent 15 years helping clients resolve complex, multimillion-dollar disputes involving patents, trademarks, and trade secrets.Andy is also a dedicated advocate for youth digital civil rights. As a longtime member of the Children’s Screentime Action Network, Andy has testified before state and federal legislators in support of bills designed to better protect children online. He has also worked to persuade regulators to more vigorously enforce the laws currently on the books to protect kids and families. As part of his legal practice, Andy has provided pro bono legal services to Fairplay, a nonprofit, independent voice for children, as well as to Frances Haugen, who exposed Facebook’s practices of putting profits over the lives of young people.He is proud to join Julie, his wife and law partner, in the fight for the rights and wellbeing of students, parents, teachers, and school districts against exploitative technology companies. Andy strives to create a world where technology helps people flourish, using litigation to align corporate incentives with the things people need to thrive.

This episode is dedicated to the life of Avery Ping, forever 16.Avery's dad, Aaron Ping, joins Nicki on Scrolling 2 Death to expose the dark reality of social media’s role in the fentanyl crisis, focusing on the devastating loss of Aaron’s son, Avery. Avery’s death was not a tragic accident—it was the direct result of drug dealers operating with impunity on Snapchat. In this gripping conversation, Aaron shares his painful journey through the legal system following Avery's death. Nicki and Aaron dissect the failures of the Snapchat platform, the broken bail system that allows dealers to walk free, and the urgent need for laws like the Kids Online Safety Act to hold tech companies accountable. This discussion is a wake-up call for parents, lawmakers, and anyone who believes social media should not be a hunting ground for criminals. The episode ends with a powerful call to action: it’s time to demand change before more lives are lost.