Scrolling 2 Death

 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.

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