Scrolling 2 Death

In Part 1, we revealed how Meta’s products are harming kids — not by accident, but by design.In Part 2, we uncover how Meta responds when confronted with these dangers. Spoiler: it’s manipulation, PR spin, and “safety features” that don’t actually keep kids safe.We break down Meta’s Teen Accounts rollout, the massive marketing campaign behind it, and the independent tests and new research showing that teens are still being pushed sexual content, violence, self-harm, predators, and more. We examine why experts say Meta’s fixes are performative — and why real change will only come from lawsuits, legislation, and collective public pressure.We also look at the major court cases underway, the growing protests, and what parents can do right now to demand real protections for kids.This episode isn’t just about what Meta has done — it’s about what they refuse to do, and how we force the change our kids deserve.The heat is on.‍Here's how you can take action today: Sign up for our email list at https://www.scrolling2death.com/heatSign the Petition asking Meta to make Instagram safer. Here's the Petition link.‍‍Hosts: ‍Nicki Petrossi – Host of Scrolling 2 Death Sarah Gardner – Founder & CEO of Heat Initiative‍Expert Guests: Kelly Stonelake - Former Meta executive and whistleblowerArturo Bejar - Former Meta executive and whistleblowerPaul Raffile - Cyber analyst and sextortion expertJonathan Haidt - Author of The Anxious Generation‍Expert editing provided by Jacob Meade.‍Other Resources mentioned in the episode: Design it for Us Report: Teen Accounts Fail to Deliver Promised Safety FeaturesTeen Survey by Heat Initiative: Instagram Teen Accounts are Missing the MarkResearch led by Arturo Bejar: Instagram Still Poses Risk to Children, Despite New Safety ToolsParents Together Action Report: Teen Accounts Sextortion Report

Neuroscientist and author Jared Cooney Horvath is back (check our first conversation here)—this time to tackle yourmost-asked questions about kids, learning, and technology. After a decade of research into tech-based education, his conclusion is stark and unapologetic: technology isn’t helping kids learn… it’s making them dumber.The pushback he hears most?“But won’t my child fall behind without tech?”According to the data: No.Drawing on ICMS measures of digital literacy across generations, Jared reveals a surprising pattern:‍Millennials outperform Gen Z,Gen Z outperforms Gen Alpha—despite Alpha growing up with devices (in their cribs), andGen X—our parents—perform just as well as Gen Z, even though many didn’t touch modern tech until their 30s or 40s.Jared also dives into the questions parents are asking right now:Should AI have a place in the classroom?Are short-form videos killing learning?Is there any truly educational content for toddlers?…and much more.Tune in as Nicki of Scrolling 2 Death and Jared share clear answers, data-backed insights, and a shocking look at what’s really happening to our kids’ brains. If you care about learning, focus, or your child’s future, this is an episode you cannot afford to skip.  And don’t forget to grab Jared’s new book, share this episode with your school and parent community, and join the movement to reclaim real learning.Get Jared's book here: The Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids’ Learning -- And How To Help Them Thrive

The Heat is On is an investigative series by Scrolling 2 Death, in partnership with Heat Initiative. Sarah Gardner, Founder and CEO of Heat Initiative, joins Nicki (S2D) to expose the truth Big Tech doesn’t want you to hear – and this episode is about Meta.Meta’s roots reveal a troubling origin story—from Facemash, where students were rated based on their appearance, to becoming one of the most powerful (and dangerous) tech companies in the world, with over 3.3 billion daily users. Behind the sleek apps and promise for connection lies a history of harmful design choices that target young users—fueling anxiety, depression, eating disorders, self-harm, and even suicide.In this episode, you’ll hear from former Meta executives and whistleblowers, cybercrime experts, and child-safety researchers who prove that the company knew how harmful its platforms were to kids—and did almost nothing to stop it.Today, over 40 U.S. states, thousands of school districts, and countless families have taken legal action. And yet, Meta continues to push untested, potentially dangerous features—like their new AI chatbot—on teens without parental consent. Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, weighs in to warn how these harms are reaching an industrial scale and legal action alone is not enough. We all need to work together to hold Big Tech accountable. It’s time to turn up the heat: Join our email list. Share this episode. Keep your kids off Meta platforms.Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or simply someone who cares about the well-being of kids, this episode will give you the facts, the tools, and the fire to demand change.‍Hosts: Nicki Petrossi – Host of Scrolling 2 Death Sarah Gardner – Founder & CEO of Heat InitiativeExpert Guests: Kelly Stonelake - Former Meta executive and whistleblowerArturo Bejar - Former Meta executive and whistleblowerPaul Raffile - Cyber analyst and sextortion expertJonathan Haidt - Author of The Anxious Generation‍Resources mentioned in the episode:Instagram Teens research by Parents TogetherNY Times: The Men Who Use Instagram to Groom Child Influencers by Michael KellerExpert editing provided by Jacob Meade.

Parents everywhere are wrestling with the same impossible question: How do you protect your kids from online harm without raising them in a bubble?In this episode, Nicki is joined by Titania Jordan, CMO of Bark Technologies, to take on one of the most common—and most misunderstood—parenting mindsets: “We supervise. We talk about safety. We don’t want our kids to be naïve… so we let them use these platforms.”We read real parent comments about giving kids access to Roblox, YouTube, phones, and social media despite knowing the risks. Together, we break down what this approach gets right—and where it unintentionally opens the door to serious online dangers.This episode is for every parent trying to thread the needle between keeping kids safe and letting them live in the world.You are not powerless. You don’t have to choose between protection and exposure—you can do both, intentionally.The goal isn’t perfection.The goal is raising kids who can navigate the digital world—not be consumed by it.Mentioned in the Episode: Bark's Connected Communities ProgramBark Drive-A-Logue CardsJoin parents taking action at https://www.scrolling2death.com/heat‍This 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% OFF‍Learn about the Bark Watch.

On this episode of Scrolling 2 Death, host Nicki Petrossi is joined by Clare Morell, author of The Tech Exit and fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.  Together, they tackle one of the biggest questions parents face today: Do kids really need smartphones and social media to thrive?Clare reveals why the conventional wisdom—just add parental controls or screen-time limits—is a lie parents have been sold. She introduces The Tech Exit, a bold but practical roadmap for families who want freedom from addictive digital technology. Drawing from expert research, stories of families who’ve gone tech-free, and her own policy work, Clare paints a hopeful picture: children can grow up happier, healthier, and more connected without smartphones in their pockets.This is a must-listen for any parent searching for a way out of the digital trap.Get your copy of The Tech Exit.