This new report is a devastating indictment of the behavior of social media executives, regulators, lawmakers, advertisers, and others who have failed to abide by this collective promise by allowing eating disorder and self-harm content to be pumped into the eyeballs of our children for profit. It represents a clear, unchallengeable case for immediate change. Nine out of ten teens in the United States use YouTube, a fifth of them “almost constantly.” It is used by far more young people than TikTok or Snapchat. At the same time, around the world, we are experiencing a crisis in mental health for young people. The number of children developing eating disorders has increased significantly in several countries, and there’s evidence that social media is contributing to the problem. Between the years 2000 and 2018, the global prevalence of eating disorders doubled. In 2021, the US Centers for Disease Control found that 1 in 3 teen girls seriously considered attempting suicide, up 60% from the previous decade. YouTube has acknowledged the problem in the past and claims to try to avoid contributing to it, but our research shows they have fallen far short. CCDH put it to the test: we examined the recommendations that a teen girl would receive when watching an eating disorder video for the first time. All that YouTube knew about our test accounts was that this was the account of a 13-year-old girl with no prior viewing history. Its algorithm would determine what this girl would see across 1,000 tests. What we found will chill you to the bone – and shows just how at risk all children who use these platforms are of deadly consequences. If a child approached a health professional, a teacher, or even a peer at school and asked about extreme dieting or expressed signs of clinical body dysmorphia, and their response was to recommend to them an ‘anorexia boot camp diet’, you would never allow your child around them again. You’d warn everyone you know about their behavior. Well, that’s precisely what YouTube did – pushed this user towards harmful, destructive, dangerous, self-harm-encouraging content. One in three recommendations this were for harmful eating disorder videos that could deepen an existing condition or anxieties about body image. Two in three were for eating disorder or weight loss content. And then, as if encouraging eating disorders weren’t enough, YouTube sometimes pushed users to watch videos about self-harm or suicide. Resources mentioned in the episode: New Report: YouTube's Anorexia Algorithm The Dark Side of Social Media with Imran Ahmed (our first podcast interview) Deadly by Design Report (on TikTok) Parent's Guide on protectingkidsonline.org What you can do today: Contact Speaker Mike Johnson (202-225-4000) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (202-225-3015) and ask them to pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) Contact your Rep in the House (enter your ZIP here) and state Senators (find your state in the drop-down here) to ask them to reform Section 230 Restrict use of YouTube in your home Send your school this report and ask them how they are keeping your child safe from the threats on YouTube

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: Federal Court Upholds TikTok "Ban" Law Australia Passes U16 Age Gate Law What is Age Gating and why it's safe GameSafe Rolls Out iOS Protections for Minecraft, Roblox & AmongUs Instagram Announces Ability to Reset Algorithm Meta Cracks Down on Organized Crime (is this a bandaid fix?) Podcast Interviews on Sextortion with Brian Montgomery and Paul Raffile Snapchat Makes SnapMap Visible in Family Center Parent Lawsuit against Snapchat Moves Forward Telegram U-Turns and Joins Child Safety Scheme Check back on Fridays for everything that parents need to know about the platforms our children are spending hours on every day. This episode is sponsored by GameSafe.AI, who recently rolled out protections on iPads and iPhones for MineCraft, Roblox & AmongUs. Learn more at gamesafe.ai.

Erin Loechner is a former social media influencer who walked away from a million fans to live a low-tech lifestyle—and is now teaching others how to do the same. I brought in Erin to share her experience and give advice to parents on their choices around tech.  We cover a ton of topics, including; youth mental health, "sharenting," how algorithms work, privacy and data collection, AI tools, video games, the importance of independent play and much more.  Additional Resources: The Opt Out Family Website The Opt Out Family Book Interview: Kids and Screens (with Andrea Brambila) Interview: "An A.I. chatbot killed my son." (with Megan Garcia) This episode is sponsored by Bark Technologies.  Learn about the Bark Phone  Learn about the Bark App for iPhones and Androids  *Use code SCROLLING2DEATH FOR 10% OFF Learn about the Bark Watch

In this conversation, Representative Brandon Guffey shares the tragic story of his son Gavin, who took his life after becoming a victim of sextortion on Instagram. The discussion explores Gavin's life, the impact of online harm, and the urgent need for legislative action to protect children from similar experiences. Rep. Guffey emphasizes the responsibility of big tech companies in safeguarding youth and advocates for more effective measures to combat online exploitation. As always, this episode is jam-packed with advice for parents on how to keep our kids safe online. This episode is sponsored by Bark Technologies. Learn about the Bark App for iPhones and Androids: *Use code SCROLLING2DEATH FOR 10% OFF Check out the Bark Phone Check out the Bark Watch About Rep. Brandon Guffey Brandon Guffey is a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives representing District 48. He began his political career as the York County Councilman and has a strong entrepreneurial background as the former owner of multiple service and retail businesses. His career started in advertising in the early 2000’s and has been vocal about the issues we currently face. Currently Mr. Guffey serves as Senior Executive Advisor for Cyber Dive in addition to serving as Director of Less Than 3 (501c3). Representative Guffey became a spokesperson for mental health and online crimes following the loss of his oldest son, Gavin, who took his own life after becoming a victim of sextortion in July 2022. Representative Guffey was elected to the S.C. House of Representatives in November of 2022, in honor of his son and to combat the growing online threat he sponsored and passed “Gavin’s Law" (H3583). Gavin’s Law stiffens the penalties for sextortion and mandates awareness through school notification, which passed in the S.C Senate the following May and was signed into law in August of 2023. Gavin is the inspiration of the Less Than 3 (<3) Foundation, which raises awareness for youth mental health & teen suicide. Representative Guffey travels the country speaking on the dangers of social media, teenage mental health, and advocates for legislation across the country. He was awarded “Legislator of the Year” in 2023 by the SC Counseling Association. Since 2023 he has been featured in Documentaries, annual conferences, and numerous talk shows: Chris Hanson guest of 2024 Crimecon Convention, Dr. Phil, ABC, Fox, Newsmax, CNN, and additional TV Shows such as Trafficked on Nat Geo.

The Bark Watch is finally here! In this conversation with Bark CMO Titania Jordan, we go through everything you need to know about the Bark Watch. I love that the Bark Watch is all about protection, not distraction. This means no social media, no games and no internet browsers. Get the Bark Watch here! The Bark Watch is currently available in the United States of America. To add your country to the waitlist for Bark products, visit this link.

In today's conversation, Sheri Lopez bravely tells her story being trafficked as a young girl. As Sheri says, "We have to talk about this." Sheri was groomed at the age of fifteen by her high school boyfriend’s father, trafficked for seven years, and rescued by a woman named Pearl at an apartment mailbox. She is the founder of the nonprofit – ‘Pearl at the Mailbox’ and is on a mission to educate about child grooming, how it happens, and how to spot and stop it before trafficking happens. Sheri boldly shares her journey to raise awareness, addresses how predators use social media apps to connect with children, and explains how to have a healthy online profile. Sheri is an advocate for children, a grooming prevention educator, a survivor mentor, a speaker, and an author. She also works to change laws to hold predators accountable in Arizona and at the federal level. Resources mentioned in the episode: Sheri's website: pearlatthemailbox.com Interview with Ted Cruz This episode is sponsored by Bark Technologies. Learn about the Bark App for iPhones and Androids *Use code SCROLLING2DEATH FOR 10% OFF Check out the Bark Phone Check out the Bark Watch

I am constantly asked by parents, "Is there a social media platform that is safe for my kids?" My answer has consistently been, "No." Until now. I am overjoyed to share this conversation with the Founder of WeAre8, Zoe Kalar.  Zoe has spent the past decade creating a social media platform that puts the power back in the hands of us, the human beings using the platform. Society has had enough. We're tired of being pawns in Big Tech's game to see how much they can profit off of our misery.  WeAre8 is the people's platform. It's social media that unites us instead of divides us; that inspires us instead of depresses us. It's the way of the future and I am so honored to be part of this movement. Mentioned in the episode: Scrolling 2 Death interview with Frank McCourt about the People's Bid for TikTok

I bought in Clare Morell of EPPC to discuss the complexities surrounding children's safety in the digital age, with a focus on balancing the role of schools, parental, and our legislators. Clare gives clear insight into why is the internet so unsafe for children in today's society, and what needs to be done to fix it. As always, we prioritize guidance for parents on safe decisions to be made in your homes, today. Resources mentioned in the episode: How to break up with your phone by Catherine Price Interview with Julie Scelfo  NewsWeek Article by Clare Smartphone Free Childhood Group  Clare's Substack Support the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) About Clare Clare Morell is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, where she directs EPPC’s Technology and Human Flourishing Project. She is also the author of the forthcoming book, The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Kids and Teens from Smartphones, which will be published by Penguin Random House in June, 2025. Ms. Morell's policy work focuses on strengthening our laws to better protect children from online harms. Her work on state social media laws was featured in The New York Times. Prior to joining EPPC, Ms. Morell worked in both the White House Counsel’s Office and the Department of Justice, as well as in the private and non-profit sectors.

I brought in The Screentime Consultant Emily Cherkin to tackle the complexities of raising kids in the digital age. We dive into the idea of being "tech intentional"—how to use technology thoughtfully, in a way that aligns with family values and supports kids’ development. The conversation covers a range of important topics: the addictive nature of digital platforms, why boredom can spark creativity, and the difference between things that are scary and those that are genuinely dangerous for children. We also explore how anonymity online can erode empathy, share practical advice for parents on modeling healthy tech habits, and offer insights on navigating screen time. We discuss the heavy reliance on EdTech in schools through our own experiences and the need for parents to stay informed and advocate for safe technology use in education. With plenty of actionable tips, this episode encourages parents to be proactive, ask tough questions, and work together with schools to prioritize the well-being of their kids in a tech-driven world. Resources mentioned in the episode: Ed tech bill of rights by Julie Liddell Unplug EdTech Toolkit Internet Safety Labs - App Microscope Connect with Emily on her website and Instagram. About Emily Cherkin: Emily Cherkin, MEd., aka The Screentime Consultant, is a world-renowned screentime expert with the accessible voice of someone who understands the struggles of becoming more tech-intentional—both as a teacher and parent. Emily's book, The Screentime Solution: A Judgment-Free Guide to Becoming a Tech-Intentional Family, is an Amazon bestseller and available everywhere books are sold.

Ben Tracy is running across America to keep kids safe online. 120 marathons in 120 days, engaging at schools, community groups and with lawmakers along the way to raise awareness about issues of online safety for children. Ben and his team stopped in the middle of Kansas to give Scrolling 2 Death an update on their progress and give advice to parents. Follow the Tracy Trek on their website and Instagram. This episode is sponsored by Bark Technologies. Learn about the Bark App for iPhones and Androids *Use code SCROLLING2DEATH FOR 10% OFF Check out the Bark Phone Check out the Bark Watch Ben Tracy is a leading keynote speaker on digital citizenship, online safety, and responsible social media use. Drawing from personal experience, Ben shares his compelling story about the impact of teenage social media usage at schools and organizations nationwide. Ben is currently running across America to advocate for youth online safety. He is running a marathon each day for 120 consecutive days while speaking at schools and organizations along the way. His mission is simple: Keep Kids Safe. As the founder of Safe Social Network, Ben provides essential online safety resources for students, parents, and educators. He speaks to more than 100,000 people each year and volunteers his time to help families report online predators and internet crimes to law enforcement. Additionally, he awards scholarships annually to high school seniors who actively promote positive social media usage, mental health awareness, and anti-bullying. Ben graduated magna cum laude from Saint Xavier University in Chicago, where he double-majored in Business and Political Science. While at SXU, he served as captain of the track team and was a member of the student senate. Ben lives in Nashville, Tennessee.