Scrolling 2 Death
- Folgen
- 339
- Erscheint
- wöchentlich
- Letzte Folge
- 9. Nov. 2026
Über den Podcast
Scrolling 2 Death is a podcast for parents who are worried about social media. Through interviews with parents and experts, we explore smartphone use, screen time, school-issued devices, social media use and so much more.
Folgen 339
5 Tech Companies Putting Kids at Risk (And What You Can Do About It)
In this solo episode, Nicki Petrossi breaks down five major developments that should have every parent paying attention. From Snapchat and Roblox to Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and Pinterest, the latest lawsuits …
Shownotes
In this solo episode, Nicki Petrossi breaks down five major developments that should have every parent paying attention. From Snapchat and Roblox to Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and Pinterest, the latest lawsuits, investigations, and real-world testing are exposing just how dangerous the digital landscape has become for our kids.
Nicki shares disturbing evidence about predators and exploitation on Snapchat and Roblox, the growing risks of AI chatbots on school-issued devices, a new lawsuit involving a 13-year-old and Google Gemini, and her own shocking experiment with Pinterest, where a teen account was flooded with harmful and inappropriate content.
These aren't hypothetical risks or isolated incidents. They're real examples of what can happen when companies prioritize engagement over the safety of children.
And here's the bigger question: Why are we continuing to hand our kids access to platforms that we know can expose them to predators, addictive design, sexual content, drugs, self-harm, and more?
Nicki gets into the facts, shares what parents need to know, and lays out concrete steps you can take right now to protect your children. Because waiting for tech companies to fix this isn't a strategy. It's time for parents to take back control.
Resources mentioned in the episode can be found here.
[TRIAL IS OFF] The Heat is On...Big Tech on Trial
Snap settled. And with that, all four defendants have now settled the cases brought by Shawna and Kadence before trial.In this mini-episode of The Heat is On…Big Tech on Trial, we break down what happened, what …
Shownotes
Snap settled. And with that, all four defendants have now settled the cases brought by Shawna and Kadence before trial.
In this mini-episode of The Heat is On…Big Tech on Trial, we break down what happened, what these settlements mean, and what comes next. Why are these companies so determined to avoid putting their internal documents, decisions, and conduct in front of a jury? And what does the public lose when cases end before that evidence can be fully examined in court?
The settlement amount was not disclosed, but one thing is clear: They dodged the trial. Not the truth.
Because the story doesn't end here. Thousands of families are still fighting, with more than 3,000 cases behind these first two. And much of the evidence is already public. It's buried in court filings and documents that are difficult to navigate, but they deserve to be seen and understood.
We're making it our mission to break down those documents, connect the dots, and show parents what these companies knew, what decisions they made, and what it means for our kids. Because families deserve to know. And the public deserves answers.
The companies may be shutting down opportunities for accountability in court and through legislation, but children are still being harmed. We can't afford to sit back and wait.
The trial may be over. The fight is not.
The next trial, involving all four companies, is scheduled for March 16, 2027. Until then, we're digging deeper, asking harder questions, and keeping the pressure on.
The Heat is STILL on. Big Tech is STILL on trial.
[WEEK 1 RECAP] The Heat is On...Big Tech on Trial: Shawna & Kadence vs. Snap, Inc.
WEEK 1 RECAP: Shawna (16) & Kadence (18) vs. Snap, Inc.Meta has settled. Now all eyes are on Snap.In this episode of The Heat Is On… Big Tech on Trial, Nicki Petrossi and Sarah Gardner break down the latest …
Shownotes
WEEK 1 RECAP: Shawna (16) & Kadence (18) vs. Snap, Inc.
Meta has settled. Now all eyes are on Snap.
In this episode of The Heat Is On… Big Tech on Trial, Nicki Petrossi and Sarah Gardner break down the latest developments in the social media addiction trial of Shawna and Kadence vs. Snap, Inc. Following Meta’s recent settlement with both teenage plaintiffs, Snapchat is now the sole defendant heading into trial.
What does Meta’s exit mean for the case? Will Snapchat settle next? And what could a verdict against Snap mean for thousands of families pursuing similar claims?
Nicki and Sarah take listeners inside the courtroom, sharing firsthand updates from the first week of jury selection, including what prospective jurors are being asked about social media use, addiction, mental health, and their own children’s technology habits. They also discuss Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel’s upcoming testimony, the potential trial timeline, and why this case could have major implications for the future of social media accountability.
Here's a link to the actual jury questionnaire (PAGE 33) so you can read the questions prospective jurors were asked.
This trial matters far beyond Shawna and Kadence. What happens in this courtroom could help shape accountability for an entire industry and the future of how we protect children online.
We stand with Shawna, Kadence, and every family fighting for change.
The Heat Is On…Big Tech on Trial: Pre-Trial Special — Shawna (16) & Kadence (18) vs. Meta & Snap, Inc.
Two teenage girls. Two of the biggest tech companies in the world. And a courtroom battle that every parent should be paying attention to.In this pre-trial special, Nicki Petrossi and Sarah Gardner break down …
Shownotes
Two teenage girls. Two of the biggest tech companies in the world. And a courtroom battle that every parent should be paying attention to.
In this pre-trial special, Nicki Petrossi and Sarah Gardner break down everything you need to know before Shawna and Kadence take on Meta and Snap, Inc. in the latest landmark social media addiction trial. With more than 3,000 related cases consolidated in litigation, this case puts the design of social media platforms—and the harm to young users—under the microscope.
We explain who Shawna and Kadence are, what their lawsuit alleges, why this trial is different from the previous case against Meta and YouTube, and why Snapchat’s presence in the courtroom is so significant. We also break down the platform features at the center of the case, including infinite scroll, autoplay, notifications, and Snapstreaks, and explain why the focus is on product design rather than the content users see.
Plus, we preview the high-profile witnesses expected to testify, including Mark Zuckerberg, Instagram head Adam Mosseri, and Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel. What might the companies’ internal documents reveal about what they knew, when they knew it, and the decisions they made about keeping young users engaged?
The trial is about two individual plaintiffs, but the questions it raises matter to families everywhere. Join us as we go inside the courtroom, follow the evidence, and examine what this legal battle could mean for the future of social media and child safety.
The trial begins October 28. The Heat Is On...Big Tech on Trial. Let's go to trial.
Parents Ask, We Answer: Phones, Screens & Social Media (ft. Titania Jordan)
How much screen time is too much? Should you let your sixth grader get Snapchat? Can you really opt your kindergartner out of school technology? And what do you do when your kid is the only one without an …
Shownotes
How much screen time is too much? Should you let your sixth grader get Snapchat? Can you really opt your kindergartner out of school technology? And what do you do when your kid is the only one without an iPhone?
On this episode of Scrolling 2 Death, Nicki brought in Titania Jordan of Bark Technologies for a no-judgment, straight-talk parent Q&A tackling the questions families are actually struggling with right now. From YouTube Shorts and addictive algorithms to online bullying, oversharing kids’ photos, and the pressure to give children unrestricted access to devices, we’re getting into the real-life dilemmas that make parenting in the digital age so hard.
Plus, we discuss how to set boundaries around phones and social media, push back against unnecessary tech in schools, and create a home where kids can connect, play, and hang out without screens taking over. If you’ve ever felt like you’re the only parent saying no to more tech, this conversation is your reminder that you’re not alone—and that protecting your kids doesn’t have to mean parenting in fear. It means getting informed, holding your boundaries, and remembering that you’re the parent, and you still get to decide.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
- Tech-Safe Learning resources for parents
- Schools Beyond Screens
- Book Reco: The Digital Delusion by Dr. Jared Cooney-Horvath
Choose a safer device!
Is AI really going to kill us all? ft. Sarah Gardner
AI experts are warning us that the risks are real—and that we may be running out of time to get this right. So why are we racing to build it faster, and why are the people creating AI asking for guardrails …
Shownotes
AI experts are warning us that the risks are real—and that we may be running out of time to get this right. So why are we racing to build it faster, and why are the people creating AI asking for guardrails while our government backs away from regulation?
Nicki Petrossi brought in Sarah Gardner of the Heat Initiative to unpack the AI headlines keeping parents up at night, from a whistleblower’s warning that AI could threaten humanity to reports of AI agents working together to break into computer systems. They discuss why tech CEOs say we need safeguards but continue racing ahead, what Trump’s push to “win” AI really means, and why voluntary promises from tech companies may not be enough.
And what does all of this mean for our kids? From AI chatbots designed to act like friends to concerns about children losing the ability to think critically, Nicki and Sarah explore the risks parents should understand, why AI in schools deserves a closer look, and what families can do now.
Because the question isn't just what AI can do. It's what we're willing to risk to build it—and what kind of future we're leaving our kids.
Resources Mentioned in the Episode:
Frances Haugen: The Woman Behind The Social Reckoning
Five years ago, Frances Haugen walked away from Facebook and exposed what the company knew about the harms its platforms were causing—including the impact on children. Now, with The Social Reckoning bringing …
Shownotes
Five years ago, Frances Haugen walked away from Facebook and exposed what the company knew about the harms its platforms were causing—including the impact on children. Now, with The Social Reckoning bringing her story to the screen, Frances joins Scrolling 2 Death for a powerful conversation about what has changed, what hasn’t, and where we go from here.
Frances opens up about what it was really like inside Facebook, why she decided to become a whistleblower, and the fear that came with knowing she might only have one chance to make a difference. We talk about what newly surfaced court documents reveal about child safety, unwanted sexual messages from adults to kids, and the lack of meaningful oversight on these platforms.
But this conversation isn’t just about Frances’ courage. It’s about ours.
What does her decision to speak out have to do with a parent saying no to a smartphone? How do we push back when we're told social media is simply “the world our kids live in”? And can we actually build a healthier, less addictive version of social media?
Frances’ message to parents is both sobering and hopeful: we have more power than we think—and one person’s decision to push back can matter.
For those looking to access internal documents from social media companies like Meta, click here.
Your Attention Please: The Stories Behind the Film (ft. Kristin Bride and Sara Robin)
What happens when the technology designed to connect us starts pulling us away from our humanity?In this deeply personal conversation, I’m joined by Your Attention Please director Sara Robin and parent survivor …
Shownotes
What happens when the technology designed to connect us starts pulling us away from our humanity?
In this deeply personal conversation, I’m joined by Your Attention Please director Sara Robin and parent survivor Kristin Bride to talk about the story behind the film—and the movement it captures.
Kristin’s son Carson’s experience with cyberbullying became one of the threads connecting this documentary, and her advocacy for safer online spaces has continued to shape the fight for change. Sara shares how Carson’s story changed the direction of the film, what she discovered while filming over three years, and why she came to see these issues as much bigger than individual screen-time choices.
We talk about the connection between social media and emerging AI harms, the fight for legislation and corporate accountability, the growing movement toward phone-free schools, and the young people designing a different kind of digital future.
And ultimately, this conversation is about hope: what happens when parents, survivors, young people, lawmakers, educators, and technology reformers refuse to accept that the current system is inevitable—and start imagining what technology could look like if it actually served us.
Your Attention Please is available October 6 on Apple TV+, Amazon Prime, and other platforms.
Visit this link to find out if there's a screening of Your Attention Please in your area (or host your own!).
We saw The Social Reckoning [MINI-EPISODE]
We saw The Social Reckoning—and we have a lot to say.Sarah Gardner (of Heat Initiative) and I got an early look at The Social Reckoning, and even after everything we thought we knew about Meta, we walked away …
Shownotes
We saw The Social Reckoning—and we have a lot to say.
Sarah Gardner (of Heat Initiative) and I got an early look at The Social Reckoning, and even after everything we thought we knew about Meta, we walked away with a deeper understanding of how Facebook became so powerful, addictive, and harmful. We talk about what surprised us, the bravery of Meta whistleblower Frances Haugen, what the film reveals about Meta’s decisions, and why this story matters so much to parents right now.
Stay tuned for a direct conversation with Frances Haugen on Scrolling 2 Death (coming soon).
Your Child’s First Device: A Psychologist Weighs In (ft. Dr. Carrie Mackensen & Titania Jordan)
When is your child ready for their first phone or watch—and how do you make that transition without handing over too much, too soon? In this episode, I’m joined by psychologist Dr. Carrie Mackensen and Titania …
Shownotes
When is your child ready for their first phone or watch—and how do you make that transition without handing over too much, too soon?
In this episode, I’m joined by psychologist Dr. Carrie Mackensen and Titania Jordan of Bark Technologies for a very real conversation about giving our kids their first devices.
We talk about the iPad that often comes before the first phone, why “educational” screen time isn’t necessarily harmless, and how devices can quietly become a crutch for both kids and parents.
I also get personal about my own daughter and her Bark Watch—and whether being able to reach me when she feels uncomfortable might actually be keeping her from developing confidence and independence. Dr. Carrie has some powerful advice for parents navigating that exact tension.
We also tackle the questions parents are asking right now: Bark Watch vs. Apple Watch. Bark Phone vs. iPhone. How much should we monitor? Should we track our kids? What happens when co-parents have completely different tech rules? And what do you do when your child desperately wants the same smartphone all their friends have?
Most importantly, we talk about how to introduce a device as a tool—not a portal to the internet—and how to protect the parent-child relationship as our kids gain more independence.
Because there is no perfect age or one-size-fits-all answer. But there is a way to be thoughtful about this transition—and to give our kids the tools they need without giving them more technology than they’re ready to handle.
⭐️ Phone Agreement Template from Dr. Carrie
When it's time for your child to have a device, please choose the safest option for kids -- a Bark device:
Big Tech's Education Playbook: Exposed (ft. NY Times journalist Natasha Singer)
What happens when Big Tech gets to decide what our kids learn?Technology companies have worked their way into our schools—not just providing the devices and software, but influencing curriculum, training …
Shownotes
What happens when Big Tech gets to decide what our kids learn?
Technology companies have worked their way into our schools—not just providing the devices and software, but influencing curriculum, training teachers, lobbying lawmakers, and shaping what educators are told our kids need to succeed.
In this episode, I sit down with NY Times journalist Natasha Singer, author of Coding Kids, to unpack how the tech industry sold America on the idea that every child needed to code—and how that same playbook is now being used to push AI into our classrooms.
We talk about the viral video featuring Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates that helped launch the coding movement, the billions of dollars and political influence behind computer science education, tech companies recruiting teachers as brand ambassadors, and what happens when the companies building the technology also help decide how it's taught.
And then we get to AI. Are we asking whether AI actually benefits kids—or are we simply being told that an “AI-first future” is inevitable and our schools need to prepare for it.
Natasha also introduces a powerful alternative: Tech Civics—teaching kids not just how to use technology, but how to question it. Who built it? Who profits? Who benefits? Who could be harmed? And what happens when technology becomes too powerful to challenge?
This conversation isn't about keeping technology out of schools. It's about making sure kids—not technology companies—are at the center of decisions about their education.
I gave my kid their first device (ft. Sarah Gardner & Titania Jordan)
What happens when two parents who have spent years saying “not yet” to devices finally decide their kids are ready?In this conversation, Nicki Petrossi and Sarah Gardner share their very personal experiences …
Shownotes
What happens when two parents who have spent years saying “not yet” to devices finally decide their kids are ready?
In this conversation, Nicki Petrossi and Sarah Gardner share their very personal experiences giving their oldest children a first device — the Bark Watch — and why they chose a tool designed for communication without opening the door to social media, browsers, games, or endless scrolling.
Joined by Bark Technologies’ Titania Jordan, they talk honestly about what parents are really trying to solve when they give a child a device: staying connected, managing anxiety around pickups and activities, traveling apart, and giving kids a little more independence — without handing them a smartphone.
But the conversation goes much deeper. They explore whether constant access to parents can actually get in the way of building resilience, when a watch should become a phone, why delaying smartphones is becoming more normalized, and the uncomfortable reality that even adults struggle to resist addictive technology.
They also discuss Apple, addictive design, the need for regulation, and what a healthier relationship with technology could look like for both kids and parents.
Most importantly, the three moms share the advice they would give before handing a child their first device — including one message every child should hear: If something goes wrong online, come talk to me. I won't be mad.
Because the goal isn't to keep our kids away from technology forever. It's to give them the least amount of technology necessary to solve the problem at hand.
Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition (Part 4)
What can parents actually do when their child's school is using too much technology?In the final episode of our Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition back-to-school series, I'm joined by Emily Cherkin, The …
Shownotes
What can parents actually do when their child's school is using too much technology?
In the final episode of our Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition back-to-school series, I'm joined by Emily Cherkin, The Screentime Consultant, a former middle school teacher, parent, author, and longtime advocate for healthier technology use in schools.
Using questions submitted by parents, we tackle some of the biggest challenges families are facing: excessive screen time, school-issued laptops, i-Ready and other EdTech platforms, YouTube access, AI embedded in school devices, opting out, student privacy, and what to do when a school simply says no.
Emily offers practical advice for parents who want to push back without making teachers' jobs harder—and challenges us to rethink the way we approach school technology.
Instead of asking schools, "Can I opt out?", she suggests a different approach:
"I decline this technology until you can show me that it is effective, safe, legal, and better than teacher-led instruction—and that the evidence is independent, verifiable, and replicable."
We also talk about why hearing "no" from your school doesn't have to be the end of the conversation, how parents can organize with other families, when to take concerns to the school board, and why incremental change matters.
And Emily makes an important distinction: she isn't anti-technology. She's pro–technology education, not educational technology. Children need to learn how technology works, how to think critically about it, and how to use it responsibly—but that doesn't mean they need unrestricted access to technology throughout their childhood.
As Emily puts it, "The best preparation for a digital future is an analog childhood."
If you've been wondering how to protect your child's childhood and education in an increasingly digital school environment, this episode is for you.
Emily's Substack: First Fish Chronicles
Emily's Unplug EdTech Toolkitl
How to Vet Screentime Research: A 7-Step Checklist from Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath
Substack: What a Recent FTC Amicus Brief Means for EdTech
How to Vet Screentime Research: A 7-Step Checklist from Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath
The Reckoning-- essay about Alpha
Get your copy of The Digital Delusion by Dr. Jared Cooney-Horvath here.
7 Ways to Advocate for a Tech-Safe School Year (A Parent Action Guide)
You can find dozens of parent templates for school tech advocacy at Tech-Safe Learning.
This is the final episode of our four-part Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition mini-series, where we've brought your biggest back-to-school questions to leading experts in neuroscience, education, online safety, and child development.
This special series is made possible through a generous donation from Buckets Over Bullying, a nonprofit organization committed to eliminating cyberbullying among children and teens. For additional resources, parent guides, and tools to help you advocate for healthier technology in schools, visit techsafelearning.org.
Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition (Part 3)
Part 3 with Dr. Jared Cooney-HorvathIs classroom technology actually helping children learn—or have we accepted a massive educational experiment without the evidence to support it?In Part 3 of our Ask the …
Shownotes
Part 3 with Dr. Jared Cooney-Horvath
Is classroom technology actually helping children learn—or have we accepted a massive educational experiment without the evidence to support it?
In Part 3 of our Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition mini-series, I'm joined by neuroscientist Dr. Jared Cooney-Horvath to examine what decades of brain science actually tell us about screens, AI, and learning.
Using questions submitted by parents, we tackle some of the biggest debates in education today: Are devices improving student outcomes? How much classroom screen time is too much? Does AI help students learn—or replace critical thinking? And what is all this technology doing to children's attention, memory, reading comprehension, and developing brains?
We also discuss Dr. Cooney-Horvath's groundbreaking review of i-Ready, one of the most widely used EdTech platforms in the United States, and why he believes parents and schools should demand stronger evidence before adopting products that shape millions of children's education.
If you've ever been told that "kids need technology because it's the future," this conversation will challenge assumptions, unpack the research, and give you the science you need to make informed decisions for your family.
This episode is part of our four-part Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition mini-series, where we're bringing your biggest back-to-school questions to leading experts in neuroscience, education, online safety, and child development.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Get your copy of The Digital Delusion by Dr. Jared Cooney-Horvath here.
Jared's Substack: Why AI schools can't tell us why AI works
Schools Beyond Screens - Parent Teacher Coalition
You can find dozens of parent templates for school tech advocacy at Tech-Safe Learning.
A special thank you to Buckets Over Bullying who provided a generous donation in support of this mini-series.
Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition (Part 2)
Part 2: Chris McKenna of Protect Young EyesCan your child access YouTube, AI chatbots, or the open internet on their school-issued device? And if so, who is responsible for keeping them safe?In Part 2 of our …
Shownotes
Part 2: Chris McKenna of Protect Young Eyes
Can your child access YouTube, AI chatbots, or the open internet on their school-issued device? And if so, who is responsible for keeping them safe?
In Part 2 of our Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition mini-series, I'm joined by Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes and one of the nation's leading experts on digital safety for children.
Using questions submitted by parents, we tackle the biggest concerns families have about school technology, including student privacy, AI, YouTube access, Google Classroom, Minecraft for Education and what children can actually access during the school day.
Chris explains what schools are doing well, where the biggest risks still exist, and—most importantly—what parents can do to better protect their children. We also discuss whether parents can opt out of certain technologies, what rights families have when it comes to student data, and the practical questions every parent should ask before signing a school technology agreement.
If you've ever wondered whether your child's school device is as safe as you think it is, this episode will leave you better informed and better prepared for the school year ahead.
This episode is part of our four-part Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition mini-series, where we're bringing your biggest back-to-school questions to leading experts in neuroscience, education, online safety, and child development.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
6 Tech Questions to Ask Your Principal
The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Routers
My interview with Dr. Jared Cooney-Horvath about i-Ready
Bark for Schools - Free monitoring for school-issued devices!
You can find dozens of parent templates for school tech advocacy at Tech-Safe Learning.
A special thank you to Buckets Over Bullying who provided a generous donation in support of this mini-series.
Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition (Part 1)
Part 1 with superintendent Dr. Greg TarantoSchools were promised that more technology would improve education. But did it?In this episode of Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition, Superintendent Dr. Greg Taranto …
Shownotes
Part 1 with superintendent Dr. Greg Taranto
Schools were promised that more technology would improve education. But did it?
In this episode of Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition, Superintendent Dr. Greg Taranto shares why his district made the bold decision to eliminate screens in K–2 classrooms, reduce technology use across all grade levels, and move away from EdTech platforms like IXL in favor of teacher-led instruction.
Together, we tackle questions from parents:
- Why his district decided to reverse course on classroom technology
- Whether AI belongs in schools—and why he says no
- How parents can advocate for less screen time without making teachers' jobs harder
- Whether you can opt your child out of Chromebooks, AI tools, and digital learning platforms
- Why schools rely so heavily on EdTech, and what parents should ask before accepting it
- What rights parents have to review classroom technology and digital curriculum
- The growing concerns around student privacy, online testing, and Responsible Use Agreements
- How to work with teachers, principals, school boards, and legislators to create meaningful change
If you've ever felt dismissed by your school, wondered whether all this technology is really helping your child learn, or wanted practical advice on how to advocate for healthier classrooms, this conversation is for you.
This episode is part of our four-part Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition mini-series, where we're bringing your biggest back-to-school questions to leading experts in neuroscience, education, online safety, and child development.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Get your copy of The Digital Delusion by Dr. Jared Cooney-Horvath here.
You can find dozens of parent templates for school tech advocacy at Tech-Safe Learning.
A special thank you to Buckets Over Bullying who provided a generous donation in support of this mini-series.
How AI Is Impacting Kids: What Every Parent Needs to Know (with Titania Jordan)
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already woven into nearly every part of our children's digital lives—from Google searches and school-issued devices to Snapchat, Instagram, voice assistants, and AI chatbots. In …
Shownotes
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already woven into nearly every part of our children's digital lives—from Google searches and school-issued devices to Snapchat, Instagram, voice assistants, and AI chatbots. In this episode, Nicki Petrossi brings in Bark Technologies' Titania Jordan to unpack where kids are accessing AI, the growing risks parents should understand, and how families can navigate this rapidly changing technology.
Together, they explore the rise of AI companions like Character.AI and PolyAI, the concerns surrounding tools such as Snapchat's My AI and Meta AI, and the impact AI may have on critical thinking, creativity, emotional development, and real-world relationships. They also discuss how schools are introducing AI into classrooms, what parents should know about AI on school-issued devices, and why children may be particularly vulnerable to misinformation and emotional manipulation from AI systems.
Most importantly, Nicki and Titania share practical steps families can take today—from delaying access and setting boundaries to having ongoing conversations that help kids use technology as a tool rather than a replacement for human connection.
This isn't a conversation about fear—it's a conversation about preparation. As AI becomes an increasingly permanent part of modern life, parents have an opportunity to help shape how the next generation engages with it safely, thoughtfully, and responsibly.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
WATCH: The AI Doc
Join our email list: scrolling2death.com/heat
The Heat is On...Big Tech on Trial: The Evidence (with attorney Previn Warren)
The courtroom battles are still unfolding, and the evidence continues to grow.In this episode of The Heat is On: Big Tech on Trial, Nicki Petrossi and Sarah Gardner chat with attorney Previn Warren, co-lead …
Shownotes
The courtroom battles are still unfolding, and the evidence continues to grow.
In this episode of The Heat is On: Big Tech on Trial, Nicki Petrossi and Sarah Gardner chat with attorney Previn Warren, co-lead counsel on thousands of federal lawsuits brought against TikTok, YouTube, Meta, and Snap. They discuss the landmark case brought by Kayley (KGM), who won her lawsuit after evidence showed that Meta and YouTube contributed significantly to her anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, as well as the recent settlement in the Brethitt County Schools case just days before trial.
As more families, school districts, and states take social media companies to court, one thing has become clear: the evidence uncovered through these lawsuits is too important to stay buried in court filings. Previn joins the show to make a major announcement about a new effort to organize and make this evidence more accessible to the public.
What did these companies know about the harms their products could cause?
What have years of litigation revealed?
And how can parents, educators, journalists, and policymakers learn from the growing body of evidence?
The trials are continuing, the stakes couldn't be higher, and the evidence is finally coming into view.
The Heat is On...DC: How many more? (with parent survivor Amy Neville)
This week, Nicki Petrossi and Sarah Gardner take listeners to Washington, D.C., following an emotional and powerful Social Media Victims Remembrance Day (SMVRD)—a day dedicated to honoring the children lost to …
Shownotes
This week, Nicki Petrossi and Sarah Gardner take listeners to Washington, D.C., following an emotional and powerful Social Media Victims Remembrance Day (SMVRD)—a day dedicated to honoring the children lost to social media harms and the families fighting to prevent more names from being added to the memorial each year.
The episode explores why families, advocates, and lawmakers gathered on Capitol Hill to demand action, and why so many parents believe the burden of protecting children online can no longer rest on families alone. Nicki and Sarah reflect on the growing national awareness of social media harms, the momentum created by the ongoing addiction trials, and the frustration of watching meaningful reform continue to stall.
They also break down two major developments in Washington: reports that tech CEOs may avoid a highly anticipated Senate hearing on social media harms, and the passage of the controversial Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act), which critics say prioritizes Big Tech interests over child safety.
Later, parent survivor and Alexander Neville Foundation founder Amy Neville joins the show to share why she and Kristen Bride created SMVRD, what this year’s event meant to impacted families, and why keeping courthouse doors open and holding platforms accountable remains critical to protecting future generations.
Plus, Nicki and Sarah discuss the growing global movement to raise the age of social media access, why age-gating alone won’t solve the problem, and the one change experts believe would make the biggest difference: eliminating the addictive features that keep children hooked.
Because remembrance without action isn’t enough.
Here's a letter-writing tool to contact your Senators. Ask them to Vote "No" on the KIDS Act that passed in the House of Representatives.
The Heat is On is an investigative mini-series by Scrolling 2 Death in partnership with Heat Initiative. Thank you to our expert editor, Jacob Meade.
The Heat is On...Snapchat (One Week on Snapchat as a 7th Grader)
What really happens when a 13-year-old joins Snapchat?In this episode, we break down a disturbing new investigation from ParentsTogether Action and Heat Initiative that followed two avatar accounts posing as …
Shownotes
What really happens when a 13-year-old joins Snapchat?
In this episode, we break down a disturbing new investigation from ParentsTogether Action and Heat Initiative that followed two avatar accounts posing as 7th graders on Snapchat for just one week — and what researchers found is deeply alarming.
The report claims Snapchat recommended hundreds of unsafe videos to the teen accounts, including drug content, sexual material, self-harm videos, violent content, and connections to strangers who appeared to be adults. Researchers say the accounts were shown unsafe content at an average rate of about one video per minute, often without searching for it.
We unpack the most shocking findings:
- Adult strangers recommended as friends
- Sexualized comments on videos featuring children
- Drug sellers and explicit creators suggested to minors
- Content promoting self-harm, violence, and disordered eating
- Concerns around live location sharing for young teens
This episode explores what the report reveals about algorithmic recommendation systems, platform safety promises, and the growing concerns parents are raising about social media and children.
Is the iPhone Finally Safe for Kids? (with Titania Jordan & Chris McKenna)
Apple wants parents to celebrate its latest parental control updates. But child safety advocates aren't buying the hype.In this episode, I brought in Titania Jordan of Bark Technologies and Chris McKenna of …
Shownotes
Apple wants parents to celebrate its latest parental control updates. But child safety advocates aren't buying the hype.
In this episode, I brought in Titania Jordan of Bark Technologies and Chris McKenna of Protect Young Eyes to separate PR from reality. They discuss why Apple's changes arrived only after mounting lawsuits and legislative pressure, what the company still isn't doing to protect children, and why many of the announced features amount to little more than shifting responsibility back onto parents.
If Apple truly prioritizes child safety, why can children still receive explicit content, easily workaround parental controls and use a device designed primarily for adults?
Before you trust the headlines, listen to what the experts have to say.
Safer options for your child:
The Heat is On...Apple (powered by child sexual abuse)
Apple has built its brand on privacy, trust, and innovation. But when it comes to protecting children, has the company done enough?In this episode of The Heat Is On, hosts Nicki Petrossi and Sarah Gardner …
Shownotes
Apple has built its brand on privacy, trust, and innovation. But when it comes to protecting children, has the company done enough?
In this episode of The Heat Is On, hosts Nicki Petrossi and Sarah Gardner examine Apple's long and controversial history with child safety. While Apple recently announced new parental controls and family safety features at WWDC 2026, critics say the company continues to ignore one of the most urgent child protection issues on its platform: the presence of known child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in iCloud.
Sarah shares her decade-long experience pushing Apple to address the problem, including behind-the-scenes conversations with the company, Apple's abandoned 2021 CSAM detection initiative, and the ongoing debate between privacy and child protection. The discussion also explores Apple's role in hosting AI nudify apps, concerns about App Store safety, and the direct-action campaigns that have brought survivors, advocates, and national media attention to Apple's doorstep.
Sign the petition asking Apple to detect, report and remove child sexual abuse material.
The hosts break down Apple's latest child safety announcements, what they could mean for families, and why advocates say parents should wait for independent testing before assuming the new protections will work as promised.
If one of the world's most powerful technology companies can't find a way to protect both privacy and children, what does that mean for the rest of the tech industry?
In this episode:
- Apple's history of refusing to detect known CSAM in iCloud
- Why child safety advocates supported Apple's abandoned 2021 detection plan
- The scale of online child sexual abuse material and its impact on survivors
- Apple's App Store, AI nudify apps, and deepfake child exploitation concerns
- The direct-action campaigns pressuring Apple to change
- A breakdown of Apple's newly announced parental controls and safety features
- What parents should know before trusting Big Tech's safety promises
The Heat is On is a Scrolling 2 Death production in partnership with Heat Initiative.
Editing provided by Jacob Meade.
New Data Exposes the School Tech Crisis (with Titania Jordan)
When schools hand children Chromebooks, iPads, Google accounts, and Microsoft Teams access, what’s really happening behind the screen?In this eye-opening conversation, Titania Jordan joins Nicki Petrossi to …
Shownotes
When schools hand children Chromebooks, iPads, Google accounts, and Microsoft Teams access, what’s really happening behind the screen?
In this eye-opening conversation, Titania Jordan joins Nicki Petrossi to reveal alarming new data from Bark Technologies’s monitoring of school-issued technology used by millions of students across the U.S.
The findings are staggering:
- 12% of children encountered cyberbullying
- 3.74% encountered instances of depression
- 7.46% encountered discussion or content related to suicidal ideation, imminent suicide or self-harm
- 39.83% of students encountered violent content
- 22% were exposed to drug-related content
- 10.77% encountered sexual content
- 11.64% encountered medically-concerning content
- 2.69% encountered hate speech
- 0.23% encountered body image content
- 1.79% encountered anxiety-related content
They discuss how students are using Google Docs like disappearing-message apps, why schools are struggling to keep up, and what parents can do right now to better protect their children.
This episode is a wake-up call for parents, educators, school administrators, and policymakers about the unintended consequences of putting addictive, poorly protected technology into children’s hands.
Get Bark for Schools (for free!)
The Heat is On...Big Tech on Trial: Beyond the Headlines (with Kaley’s lead attorney Mark Lanier)
Legendary trial attorney Mark Lanier joins Nicki and Sarah for an emotional, behind-the-scenes look at the landmark social media addiction trial that ended in a jury verdict against Meta and YouTube.For nearly …
Shownotes
Legendary trial attorney Mark Lanier joins Nicki and Sarah for an emotional, behind-the-scenes look at the landmark social media addiction trial that ended in a jury verdict against Meta and YouTube.
For nearly two months, we sat inside the Los Angeles courtroom documenting every moment — filling 589 pages of notes as grieving parents, advocates, reporters, jurors, and teams of attorneys battled over one central question: did these platforms knowingly build products that addict children, like Kaley?
In this deeply personal interview, Mark breaks down exactly how the case was won, why Snapchat and TikTok settled just before trial, and what the jury ultimately decided about Kaley, the young woman at the center of the case. He also reveals shocking moments the public never saw — defense witnesses backing out, chaos inside the courthouse, the strategy behind avoiding a billion-dollar “runaway verdict,” and the cross-examinations that changed everything.
The episode also revisits some of the most unforgettable lines from the trial, responding directly to claims made in court by executives and attorneys from Meta and YouTube.
But this conversation is bigger than one verdict. It’s about children, addiction, grief, corporate power, and the parents fighting back against trillion-dollar tech companies. Mark shares what he believes this case means for the future of Big Tech accountability, why he calls it a defining trial of the 21st century, and the message he hopes families around the world take away from Kaley's story.
The episode closes with a powerful discussion about parenting, love, and why human connection may be the strongest defense families have against platforms designed to exploit vulnerability.
If you followed this trial in real time — or if you’re just beginning to understand what these platforms are doing to children — this is an episode you won’t forget.
Here's a link to the actual verdict forms that the jury completed.
Video Editing expertly provided by Jacob Meade.
The Canvas Breach: 275 Million People at Risk (with attorney Andy Liddell)
When parents log into Canvas, they expect homework assignments and grades — not ransom notes.In this urgent episode, I spoke with attorney Andrew Liddell about the massive alleged breach involving Instructure …
Shownotes
When parents log into Canvas, they expect homework assignments and grades — not ransom notes.
In this urgent episode, I spoke with attorney Andrew Liddell about the massive alleged breach involving Instructure and its learning management platform, Canvas, reportedly affecting thousands of schools and millions of students, teachers, and college faculty worldwide.
Here's a full list of the 8,000+ schools which were affected.
Andy breaks down:
- What Canvas is and why it’s used in so many schools
- How enormous amounts of student data are collected and shared
- What allegedly happened in the breach
- Why hackers targeted this information
- What exposed school data could mean for families long-term
- Why schools are becoming “soft targets” for cyberattacks
- What parents should do right now if their child’s school uses Canvas
The conversation also goes beyond this single breach and explores a larger question: Have schools quietly normalized mass surveillance of children through EdTech?
Andy explains why privacy isn’t just about secrecy — it’s about childhood itself.
“Privacy is the soil in which we grow.”
This episode is essential listening for parents, teachers, school administrators, and anyone concerned about the growing role of Big Tech in education.
Contact Andy's team at edtech.law to find out more about this lawsuit and others. Here's a direct link to their lawsuit against Instructure.
This Isn't a Parenting Problem (with Glen Pounder of Scouting America)
When kids are harmed online, the first question people ask is: “Where were the parents?”In this episode of Scrolling 2 Death, we challenge that instinct—and expose why it is doing more harm than good.Scrolling …
Shownotes
When kids are harmed online, the first question people ask is: “Where were the parents?”
In this episode of Scrolling 2 Death, we challenge that instinct—and expose why it is doing more harm than good.
Scrolling 2 Death host Nicki Petrossi is joined by Glen Pounder, Executive Vice President and Chief Safeguarding Officer at Scouting America, to unpack one of the most persistent myths in child safety: that better parenting can prevent online harm.
Drawing from his 30-year career combating crimes against children—and his recent article “The Comfort of Blame – and the Limits of Even the Best Parenting”—Glen shares what he’s seen firsthand: families who did everything right… and still had children targeted, groomed, and exploited online.
This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice and into the uncomfortable truth:
- Why parent blame is so appealing—and so dangerous
- How exploitation actually happens, even in attentive households
- The hidden cost of shame, silence, and misplaced responsibility
- And why this is not a parenting failure—it’s a systems failure
In the wake of major legal battles involving Meta and YouTube, this episode asks a harder question:
Who really benefits when we keep blaming parents instead of holding platforms accountable?
Because while families are being told to “do more,” tech companies continue to design environments that make harm easier—and harder to detect.
If we want to actually protect kids, we have to move beyond blame… and start demanding better systems.
Does i-Ready Work? A Neuroscientist Weighs In (with Dr. Jared Cooney-Horvath)
In this eye-opening conversation, Nicki Petrossi sits down with neuroscientist Jared Cooney-Horvath to unpack the claims behind i-Ready—one of the most widely used EdTech tools in U.S. classrooms. What starts …
Shownotes
In this eye-opening conversation, Nicki Petrossi sits down with neuroscientist Jared Cooney-Horvath to unpack the claims behind i-Ready—one of the most widely used EdTech tools in U.S. classrooms. What starts as a discussion of Nicki’s data privacy lawsuit quickly expands into a deeper investigation: does i-Ready actually help kids learn?
Jared breaks down the startling lack of credible, peer-reviewed research supporting i-Ready’s effectiveness, explaining how most claims rely on weak comparisons or company-backed studies. He reveals why “time on task” can be misleading, how EdTech companies shape persuasive narratives without solid evidence, and why human-led instruction consistently outperforms digital tools when it comes to real learning.
Together, they connect the dots between data privacy concerns and academic outcomes—arguing that if a product isn’t meaningfully improving learning, schools must question why it’s being used at all. The episode also explores the growing national momentum among parents, teachers, and districts pushing back on excessive screen time and demanding accountability from EdTech companies.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s really behind the tools your child is required to use in school, this conversation gives you the data—and the questions—you need to start pushing for answers.
Jared's Substack: i-Ready: 13 Million Students, Zero Meaningful Evidence
MINI EPISODE: LAUSD Passes Landmark School Screen Policy (with Lila Byock)
In this mini-episode of Scrolling 2 Death, Nicki brought in Lila Byock to break down a major victory: the Los Angeles Unified School District has unanimously passed a sweeping new technology policy that limits …
Shownotes
In this mini-episode of Scrolling 2 Death, Nicki brought in Lila Byock to break down a major victory: the Los Angeles Unified School District has unanimously passed a sweeping new technology policy that limits screen use for students. After months of relentless advocacy from parents and teachers, the district is eliminating devices for its youngest learners, restricting platforms like YouTube, and setting clear screen time boundaries. They discuss what passed and how this moment could spark a nationwide shift in how schools use technology—and how you can bring these changes to your own district.
LAUSD's new policy linked here
I've sued i-Ready | Answering your questions (with attorney Andy Liddell)
So…I’ve sued another EdTech company. Here's a direct link to information on the lawsuit.This time, it’s Curriculum Associates — the multi-billion-dollar maker of i-Ready, used by more than 14 million children …
Shownotes
So…I’ve sued another EdTech company. Here's a direct link to information on the lawsuit.
This time, it’s Curriculum Associates — the multi-billion-dollar maker of i-Ready, used by more than 14 million children in grades K–8, including my own.
In this episode, I break down why we’ve filed a lawsuit alleging that Curriculum Associates’ core business model depends on harvesting massive amounts of student data, monetizing it, and allegedly sharing children’s personal information with dozens of third parties for commercial purposes. We further allege the company builds deeply invasive psychological and behavioral profiles on students — profiles that can follow them and potentially harm them.
I never consented to this. And neither did millions of parents.
Sending our children to public school is a legal right. We should not have to expose them to commercial data trafficking just to get an education.
With the average school district using thousands of EdTech tools each year — and each child accessing dozens — the question isn’t whether this is happening. The question is whether parents ever gave meaningful, informed consent.
Joining me is Andy Liddell, attorney with the EdTech Law Center, to answer the questions flooding in from parents and teachers:
- What exactly are we alleging?
- What data is actually being collected?
- Is academic growth tracking the same as data mining?
- Can parents opt out?
- Is this a class action?
- What can teachers do?
- And what do we say to critics who claim this is just fear-mongering?
If you’re a parent, teacher, or school leader, this conversation is one you cannot afford to miss.
If you’re interested in learning more or potentially joining an EdTech-related lawsuit, visit: edtech.law.
Because this isn’t just about i-Ready.
It’s about whether our children’s data belongs to them — or to corporations.
[THE VERDICT] The Heat is On...Big Tech on Trial
On March 25, 2026, after eight days of deliberation, the jury reached a verdict in the first bellwether trial against Meta and YouTube.The verdict: The jury ruled in favor of Kaley on all counts. Scroll down to …
Shownotes
On March 25, 2026, after eight days of deliberation, the jury reached a verdict in the first bellwether trial against Meta and YouTube.
The verdict: The jury ruled in favor of Kaley on all counts. Scroll down to the bottom of this description for the full verdict.
This week, we take you inside the final, nerve-wracking days in the hallway and courtroom — the jury questions about expert testimony, deleted accounts, Instagram usage, punitive damages, and the moment they told the judge they were deadlocked with one defendant.
We walk through what each question meant, what it revealed about the jury’s thinking, and how both sides responded. You’ll hear what happened in real time as families waited, attorneys speculated, and the stakes became crystal clear.
We’re joined by Laura Marquez-Garrett of the Social Media Victims Law Center to break down:
- What the verdict actually means
- Whether an appeal is likely
- Why early bellwether cases often shape — but don’t decide — the larger war
- What happens next in the thousands of cases still moving forward
Because this was never just about one family.
It the most powerful tech companies in the world… versus families. And this verdict is the accelerator of justice.
The trials continue. Thousands of families. Dozens of states. School districts. The pressure is building. We’ll continue to be inside the courtroom translating it all for parents everywhere.
The Heat is On...Big Tech on Trial is an investigative mini-series by Scrolling 2 Death, in partnership with Heat Initiative.
Video Editing expertly provided by Jacob Meade.
Are you willing to take action against Big Tech? Join us in D.C.! Fill out this form.
THE VERDICT
META
- Was Meta negligent in the design or operation of Instagram? YES
- Was Meta’s negligence a substantial factor in causing harm to KGM? YES
- Did Meta know or should it reasonably have known that the design or operation of Instagram was dangerous or was likely to be dangerous when used by a minor in a reasonably foreseeable manner? YES
- Did Meta know or should it reasonably have known that users would not realize the danger? YES
- Did Meta fail to adequately warn of the danger? YES
- Would a reasonable platform designer or operator under the same or similar circumstances have warned of the danger or instructed on the safe use of the platform? YES
- Was Meta's failure to adequately warn or instruct a substantial factor in causing harm to KGM? YES
YOUTUBE
- Was YouTube negligent in the design or operation of YouTube? YES
- Was YouTube's negligence a substantial factor in causing harm to KGM? YES
- Did YouTube know or should it reasonably have known that the design or operation of YouTube was dangerous or was likely to be dangerous when used by a minor in a reasonably foreseeable manner? YES
- Did YouTube know or should it reasonably have known that users would not realize the danger? YES
- Did YouTube fail to adequately warn of the danger? YES
- Would a reasonable platform designer or operator under the same or similar circumstances have warned of the danger or instructed on the safe use of the platform? YES
- Was YouTube's failure to adequately warn or instruct a substantial factor in causing harm to KGM? YES
THE DAMAGES
A. What are KGM's damages?
$3,000,000
B. What percentage of responsibility for K.G.M.’s harm do you assign to each of the following?
70% Meta
30% YouTube
C. Do you find that K.G.M. proved by clear and convincing evidence that Meta acted with malice, oppression, or fraud in conduct upon which you base your finding of liability? YES
D. Do you find that K.G.M. proved by clear and convincing evidence that YouTube acted with malice, oppression, or fraud in conduct upon which you base your finding of liability? YES
PUNITIVE DAMAGES: $3,000,000 ($2.1M to Meta, $900K to YouTube)
Hier stehen die neuesten 40 von 339 Folgen. Ältere Folgen findest du im Feed des Podcasts.
Ähnliche Podcasts
Mehr Kinder und Familie-Podcasts
Ist das dein Podcast?
Bestätige es mit einem Eintrag in deinem Feed: Du bekommst hier einen Code, trägst ihn als podcast:txt in den Kanal deines Feeds ein, und wir prüfen ihn. Danach steht dein Podcast als „verifiziert“ bei SoundNode.