Scrolling 2 Death

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
Scimago Journal Ranking Tool
Schools Beyond Screens - Parent Teacher Coalition
Ed Zitron Substack

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.

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.

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.

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
Learn about Sammy's Law
‍‍Get the Bark Phone! 
Monitor your child's iPhone with the Bark App.
Get the Bark Watch!

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 Social Media Evidence Library