Scrolling 2 Death

This is not a hypothetical. This is not science fiction. This is happening right now. Today, multiple families across the U.S. and Canada filed lawsuits against OpenAI, alleging that ChatGPT triggered psychosis, isolated vulnerable users from loved ones, and—even worse— encouraged suicide . Four families lost their sons. A 17-year-old. A 23-year-old. A 26-year-old. A 48-year-old. All believed they...

In Part 1 of The Heat is On Apple, we exposed how Apple’s ecosystem puts kids at risk — from iMessage to iCloud to the App Store. In Part 2, we’re asking the only question that matters:  What could Apple do to protect children — and how do we get them to do it? We break down real solutions Apple could deploy tomorrow: device-based age verification, real App Store safeguards, proactive CSAM detecti...

In Part 1 of The Heat is On Apple, we exposed how Apple’s ecosystem puts kids at risk — from iMessage to iCloud to the App Store. In Part 2, we’re asking the only question that matters:  What could Apple do to protect children — and how do we get them to do it? We break down real solutions Apple could deploy tomorrow: device-based age verification, real App Store safeguards, proactive CSAM detecti...

On October 1, 2023, one family woke up to every parent’s nightmare — their daughter’s phone was blowing up with messages from friends. Someone had taken innocent photos from her Instagram, run them through an AI app called  DNGG , and created fake, nude images that quickly spread through her high school. This chilling episode of  Scrolling 2 Death  exposes the disturbing rise of  AI-powered nudify...

The Heat is On  is a new investigative series by  Scrolling 2 Death , in partnership with  Heat Initiative . Co-hosts Sarah Gardner, Founder and CEO of  Heat Initiative , and Nicki Petrossi, Host of  Scrolling 2 Death , are exposing the truth Big Tech doesn’t want you to hear – and this episode is all about  Apple. ‍ Apple revolutionized personal computing and their products didn’t just change tec...

Today, Character. AI shocked the world by announcing a ban on users under 18 from using its chatbots. But when you read the fine print, the story gets murky. Is this real protection for kids — or another Big Tech PR spin? Nicki Petrossi breaks it down with Sarah Gardner of Heat Initiative and attorney Laura Marquez-Garrett from the Social Media Victims Law Center. Parents can join us in putting pr...

In a world where screens have taken over classrooms, one superintendent decided to push pause. Dr. Mike Swan, leader of Burke County Public Schools, joins us to share how his district took a bold, low-tech approach to learning — and what happened next. From teachers rediscovering the joy of teaching to parents seeing calmer, more focused kids, Dr. Swan opens up about the wins, the backlash, and th...

What happens when a parent discovers that video games aren’t just a harmless pastime—but a trap that can derail a child’s future? In this powerful conversation,  ScreenStrong  founder Melanie Hempe shares her personal journey of watching her oldest son spiral into video game addiction, and how that painful experience reshaped her parenting choices for her three younger children. Melanie explains w...

In this Q&A episode, Nicki brought in Titania Jordan — Chief Parenting Officer at Bark Technologies — to tackle your biggest tech parenting challenges. From first phones to firewalls, social media to screen time, Titania shares honest, practical advice every parent needs right now. This episode is sponsored by Bark Technologies, the best option for kid-safe devices.  ‍ Learn about the Bark Pho...

Today on  Scrolling 2 Death , Meta whistleblower and dad Arturo Bejar joins me to expose the truth about Instagram’s so-called “Teen Accounts.” From his years inside Facebook and Instagram leading safety efforts, to his 2021 warning to leadership that went ignored, Arturo reveals what Meta doesn’t want parents to know.  We’re also joined by Sarah Gardner of The Heat Initiative, who brings new insi...

When the pandemic pushed school into our homes, screens became the new classroom and we never went back. But what has this shift cost our kids? In this episode, Nicki Petrossi sits down with writer and parent Lila Byock to talk about the hidden consequences of remote learning, the influence of EdTech companies, and the mental health toll of too much screen time.  Lila shares her personal journey n...

It’s not too late to reset the screen-time limits and boundaries you've set for your kids—and the reasons to take action are becoming increasingly clear. In this episode, Dr. Carrie Mackensen joins host Nicki Petrossi to unpack the science behind interactive screens and short-form media and how they impact children's brain development. Her clear, accessible approach helps parents understan...

On September 22nd, a landmark court ruling allowed expert testimony exposing the harm social media products cause children. From Meta to TikTok, Snap, and YouTube, these companies have long argued it’s content—not their addictive designs—that hurts youth. But experts in psychiatry, neuroscience, and tech safety say otherwise. In this episode, I break down their testimony, revealing how features li...

Live from Central Park, NYC! This week on  Scrolling 2 Death , attorney  Laura Marquez-Garrett  from Social Media Victims Law Center (SMVLC) joins Nicki to unpack a major legal battle unfolding against AI chatbots. Laura’s firm just filed three new lawsuits on behalf of families whose children were harmed by the app Character. AI—while Congress simultaneously held a Senate hearing on the dangers o...

"Together, we can get our kids back." We live in a world where childhood is being rewritten by screens—and the consequences are showing up in our kids’ mental health, sleep patterns, and ability to thrive in the real world. In this episode, psychologist and researcher Dr. Jean Twenge joins us to unpack her groundbreaking book  10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World . Dr. Twenge d...

We spend so much time stressing about our kids’ screen time — but have you ever stopped to ask,  what about mine?  The truth is, our kids are watching us way more than we realize. Every time we pick up our phones at the dinner table or scroll while they’re talking to us, we’re showing them what “normal” tech use looks like. In this episode, I brought in Titania Jordan from Bark Technologies to hav...

What happens when your child chats with an AI “friend”? You might think it’s harmless fun—but new research shows otherwise. In this gripping conversation, Sarah from The Heat Initiative uncovers disturbing findings about Character AI and its impact on teens. The evidence is chilling: AI bots are exposing kids to sexual grooming, violent content, and other dangers at an alarming rate. Find the full...

The digital age has brought incredible conveniences for modern parents—but along with them come some unintended consequences. If screens are your go-to for tantrums or boredom, you may be interfering with your child’s ability to regulate emotions and develop essential coping skills. With over two decades of experience in education, Shona Schwartz has emerged as a crucial voice addressing technolog...

By now, most people have heard of the “Anxious Generation” — but Laura Morton is expanding Jonathan Haidt’s narrative. As the creator of the award-winning documentary  Anxious Nation , Laura believes it’s not just youth who are struggling — it’s all of us. A little anxiety is natural – even helpful for performance – but we’re seeing a sharp rise in the chronic, debilitating kind. In 2019, as a sin...

“This is the first generation in a millennium to be worse off than their parents.” Neuroscientist, educator, and author Jared Cooney Horvath issues a powerful warning: the rapid rise of technology in education is contributing to a sharp decline in intelligence across key metrics—including IQ, memory, critical thinking, creativity, and more.  For generations, we've seen steady progress in IQ fr...

In this eye-opening episode of  Scrolling 2 Death , host Nicki Petrossi sits down with Titania Jordan of Bark Technologies to unpack the high-stakes decision many parents face: what should your child’s first phone be? From the hidden risks of iPhones to the powerful parental controls offered by alternatives like the Bark phone, they dive into the pressures, misconceptions, and cultural norms drivi...

We’ve talked about the devastating impact of social media and how tech companies’ “profit over people” mindset has harmed countless families. This powerful new documentary,  Can’t Look Away , delivers the wake-up call the world needs: the time for industry reform is now. In this episode of Scrolling 2 Death, host Nicki speaks with  Can’t Look Away  directors, Matthew O’Neill and Perri Peltz, about...

Dr. Mary Pulido, Executive Director of  World Childhood Foundation USA , joins Scrolling 2 Death to talk about the evolving fight against child sexual abuse in the digital age. There was a time when parents only worried about their children’s safety while they were out. But now, even at home, danger can reach them through screens. Social media, gaming platforms and chatrooms have become hunting gr...

Over 1,500 parents spoke up — and the results are in. In this episode, Scrolling 2 Death host Nicki Petrossi breaks down brand-new national survey data that reveals what parents  really  think about technology, screen time, and AI in K–12 schools. From overwhelming concerns about excessive screen use and digital safety to a stunning 91% of parents saying they  don’t  want their kids using AI at sc...

Why are kids using so much tech at school? A hint: the year was 2020. It started when COVID shut the world down and EdTech became an emergency measure. One-to-one devices kept learning going while schools were closed. It was necessary. But the pandemic ended- and the screens stayed. At first, digital learning seemed full of promise. In a tech-driven world, it felt like the future. But now, the har...