Scrolling 2 Death

In this interview, I welcome Sarah from Mom Uncharted. This discussion is all about sharing children online; we dissect digital privacy, informed consent, kid influencers and shed light on the sobering realities of child safety in the digital landscape. I was especially shocked to learn about the ability for adults to subscribe to exclusive content from children. Parents everywhere must know about this. More about Sarah:  For two years, Sarah has been exploring the state of sharenting, child exploitation and minor safety on social media. Since then, she’s grown a large and supportive community of like-minded individuals who feel that the way parents are sharing their children online is concerning and that the platforms, governments and brands need to step up to protect a whole generation of children from growing up with a digital footprint that compromised their right to privacy, informed consent and digital safety.  Sarah’s goal has always been to pose questions, offer a different perspective and provide information as it relates to these topics in an attempt to encourage parents to reflect on their own sharing choices, the accounts they are consuming online and better support their children in becoming informed and responsible digital citizens.  Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, Forbes, Bloomberg, CNN and more. Most recently in the French documentary "Enfants sous influence : surexposés au nom du like". 

In what may be a multi-parter, Nicki breaks down the unthinkable responses to a recent video she posted on Instagram about a teen’s suicide.  Thousands of comments from adolescent male gamers don’t lie. In the online gaming communities, there is a blatant lack of empathy and normalization of hate speech, suicide-baiting and oversaturation of cyber-bullying. In this mini-episode, Nicki discusses this viral Instagram video and the responses, in addition to sharing current research about gaming and the effects on our children.

Today’s mini episode features the witty and hilarious Jenny Mollen. Jenny is a writer, actor, Instagram personality and New York Times bestselling author. Jenny’s oversharing nature has come into check as she became a mother and faced the ever-concerning decision – to share our kids, or not to share our kids. Online, that is. As always, Jenny takes us on a swift and thrilling ride through her “latchkey vibes” upbringing and public-facing career which led her to decide that privacy is the way to go. Connect with Jenny on Instagram at @jennymollen.

Prepare for an eye-opening conversation that will change the way you think about kids and tech. Join Nicki of Scrolling 2 Death as she dives into an enlightening discussion with attorney Laura Marquez-Garrett (of the Social Media Victims Law Center), unearthing the harsh realities of the harm lurking behind the screens.  We get into loads of hot tech topics, including: Social media harms vs. benefits Trends in social media harms Addictiveness of social media platforms Which are the most harmful platforms? Much, much more Laura pulls back the curtain on the profound impacts of social media on our children, sharing real stories of social media harm and offering tips for parents navigating the ever-evolving digital landscape.  More about Laura:  Laura Marquez-Garrett is a 2002 Harvard Law School graduate and spent the first twenty-years of her career in Big Law, where she oversaw complex litigation matters and specialized in electronic evidence and forensic investigation. In January of 2022, Laura met ⁠Social Media Victims Law Center⁠ (SMVLC) founder, Matthew Bergman, and watched the Netflix documentary, Social Dilemma. The following month, she left her predominantly defense-oriented practice to join SMVLC to contribute to the Center’s mission of change and holding social media companies accountable for the harms they are causing to children and families. Since then, Laura has participated in the filing of more than 100 complaints against social media companies in state and federal courts across the country. She filed an Amicus brief in Netchoice v. Bonta on behalf of Fairplay and several other civil society organizations, and in support of California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code (CADC); serves as a Discovery Steering Committee co-lead in the California Judicial Counsel Coordinated Proceedings (JCCP No. 5255); has appeared on podcasts, such as Your Undivided Attention, and other forms of media, such as the released documentary titled “Mark, What’s the Plan,” about social media harms and related issues; addressed the House Energy & Commerce Committee at a Roundtable on the Dangers of Big Tech and the Fentanyl Poisoning Crisis; authored an Op-Ed in the Los Angeles Blade in support of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA); has spoken on panels, met with hundreds of children and families, and is otherwise actively involved in efforts across the globe to force change and hold social media companies accountable for the harms they cause as a matter of platform design.   

DISCLAIMER: This episode discusses the suicide of 15-year-old Nate Bronstein. If this topic will be too upsetting for you, please skip to the next episode. In this episode, Rose Bronstein shares the story of her son Nate.  Nate loved basketball.  He loved playing the drums.  He loved hanging out with his friends.  He was a wonderful soul.  At the age of 15, Nate died by suicide on January 13, 2022 after facing vicious attacks, harassment and threats of physical harm over text and Snapchat.  This tragic story can happen to any kid. To any family.   In this episode, Nate's mom Rose shares the full story and emphasizes a few important lessons for parents and teens.  Learn more about Rose's work at https://bucketsoverbullying.org/

This interview is dedicated to Carson Bride. In this emotional conversation, Kristin Bride tells Nicki the personal story of losing her son to suicide after being cyberbullied on anonymous apps linked to Snapchat, and her subsequent advocacy work. Trigger warning: In this episode, we talk about suicide. If this will be too difficult for you, please skip to the next episode. Kristin also shares her work with the Fairplay Network and the Online Harms Prevention work group, which aims to educate parents on online harms and advocate for legislation. The conversation emphasizes the tragic consequences of online harms and the need for parents to be critical thinkers and protect their children online. Parents can learn about the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) by visiting passkosa.org and consider taking action to advocate for the legislation. Takeaways: Anonymous apps pose significant dangers to children, including cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content. Kristin advises parents to delay their children's access to social media and have ongoing conversations about the dangers of technology. Creating communities of like-minded parents can provide support and resources for navigating the challenges of parenting in the digital age. We discuss the need for legislation and parental awareness to protect children from the negative impacts of anonymous apps and social media.

In this episode I welcome digital advocate Alix Fraser of Issue One. We take a dive deep into the risks of social media and explore how (and why) social media has been created to be harmful by design. Alix and Nicki cover a ton of topics important to parents; social media, devices, cyberbullying, sharenting and much more! Alix introduces Nicki to two bills that would could steer us in the right direction with social media regulation and make the internet safer for children. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA, S.1409) directly addresses the harmful social media business model by placing the health and wellbeing of our children over advertising revenue. Learn more at passkosa.org. The Platform Accountability and Transparency Act (PATA) would create a program facilitated by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for researchers to request access to certain data from social media companies, and require the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to develop privacy and security protocols for the program. Learn more about PATA here: https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-coons-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-increase-transparency-around-social-media-platforms Alix Fraser serves as the Director of the Council for Responsible Social Media at Issue One. In this role, Alix leads the cross-partisan Council of political, civic, public health, business, and national security leaders working to address the threats that social media platforms pose to American society. Learn more about this work at issueone.org.

Join Scrolling 2 Death host Nicki Reisberg for an enlightening and educational dive into the world of kid-friendly smartphones in this eye-opening episode. Nicki sits down with Bill Brady, the Co-Founder and CEO of Troomi Wireless, a pioneering mobile phone platform committed to fostering children's mental well-being through a balanced and safe relationship with technology. As a father of five, Bill brings a wealth of experience and insight to the discussion, shedding light on essential topics vital for todays’ parents. Throughout the conversation, Bill and Nicki explore an array of critical issues that resonate with every parent. From the paramount importance of digital safety and the introduction of safe smartphones tailored for kids, to navigating the complexities of teens and social media, the discussion is rich with valuable insights. Delving into the risks and benefits of phone usage for younger children and the emergence of smartwatches designed with kids in mind, they address pressing concerns. The dialogue extends beyond mere usage to encompass the gamut of potential risks in the digital sphere, encompassing cyberbullying, sextortion, the surge of depression, and even the physical effects associated with excessive tech consumption. Moreover, the conversation delves into the role of phones in educational settings, uncovering the nuances of phone use in schools. It's important to note that Scrolling 2 Death is an independent platform and not affiliated with Troomi Wireless. However, as a gesture, Troomi is extending an exclusive $80 discount to Scrolling 2 Death listeners on a Troomi phone. Simply use the code TROOMI80 at checkout on www.troomi.com to claim this special offer. More about Bill Brady: In a career spanning 20 years as a marketing executive, Bill Brady has owned two marketing agencies serving Fortune 500 brands. Since 2018, he has focused on providing children with healthier solutions for using technology and is the co-founder and CEO of Troomi Wireless, a mobile phone platform designed to improve kids’ mental health through a safe and balanced relationship with technology. Bill holds a degree in Marketing/PR from Brigham Young University and an MBA from the University of Utah. He lives in Highland, UT, with his wife and five kids.

Illinois-based high school art teacher Bill Henricks takes you behind the curtain in this revealing interview. Get ready for an insider's perspective on the realities of phone restrictions in schools. Bill and Scrolling 2 Death host Nicki delve deep into the primary objections to phone bans, unpacking concerns ranging from security issues to navigating medical exceptions and potential legal ramifications. This candid conversation sheds light on the multifaceted challenges faced by educators and parents alike when it comes to balancing the benefits and drawbacks of smartphones in educational settings. By tuning in to this episode, parents and educators gain invaluable insights, fostering a bridge of understanding between these two critical stakeholders in a child's education. The priority is crystal clear: safeguarding our children's mental health amidst the pervasive influence of screens. Encouraging open and compassionate dialogue around these crucial topics is paramount. Also available as a video podcast on YouTube. Learn more about The Phone Locker at https://phonelocker.org (a simple solution to a big distraction) Subscribe to this channel for super-special bonus episodes: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scrolling2death/subscribe

Prepare to get serious insight into the complexities of sharenting and digital privacy in this eye-opening episode featuring the esteemed Leah Plunkett, as she joins Nicki for a deep dive into the multifaceted world of sharenting and digital privacy. Leah Plunkett is author of the acclaimed book Sharenthood: Why We Should Think Before We Talk about Our Kids Online, a faculty member at Harvard Law School, and a faculty associate with the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University. To learn more about Leah's groundbreaking work and to grab a copy of her book, visit leahplunkett.com. Exploring the intricate dynamics surrounding the disclosure of digital data about children, Leah and Nicki shed light on the critical implications that often go unnoticed. From the potential invasion of privacy to the threats posed to children's current and future opportunities, and the hindrance of their ability to cultivate a genuine sense of self, we offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of the far-reaching consequences of this digital practice. The episode also delves into the increasing risks associated with generative AI and the alarming prevalence of child sexual abuse material, underscoring the urgent need for heightened vigilance and protective measures in the online sphere. Bringing a unique legal perspective to the table, Leah addresses crucial questions that every parent might have. We also delve into the fascinating world of "kidfluencers" and the pertinent issue of their limited rights to compensation for their online content, a topic that calls for widespread attention and advocacy. As an acclaimed author of the thought-provoking book, "Sharenthood: Why We Should Think Before We Talk about Our Kids Online," Leah Plunkett brings unparalleled expertise to the table, offering a wealth of knowledge and actionable insights. Join us as we unravel the legal intricacies, discuss the existing laws protecting children online, and delve into ways in which parents can actively advocate for greater digital protection within their local communities. Subscribe to this channel for super-special bonus episodes: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scrolling2death/subscribe⁠