Scrolling 2 Death

Nicki Petrossi
  • 4.7 (55)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 1h ago

    Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition (Part 2)

    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.

  2. Aug 10

    Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition (Part 1)

    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 technologyWhether AI belongs in schools—and why he says noHow parents can advocate for less screen time without making teachers' jobs harderWhether you can opt your child out of Chromebooks, AI tools, and digital learning platformsWhy schools rely so heavily on EdTech, and what parents should ask before accepting itWhat rights parents have to review classroom technology and digital curriculumThe growing concerns around student privacy, online testing, and Responsible Use AgreementsHow 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.

  3. Jul 27

    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 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!

  4. Jul 21

    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 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

    The Heat is On...Big Tech on Trial: The Evidence (with attorney Previn Warren)

  5. Jul 6

    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 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...DC: How many more? (with parent survivor Amy Neville)

  6. Jun 29

    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 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 friendsSexualized comments on videos featuring childrenDrug sellers and explicit creators suggested to minorsContent promoting self-harm, violence, and disordered eatingConcerns 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. THE REPORT: One Week on Snapchat as a 7th Grader PETITION: Stop Teen Exploitation & Abuse on Snapchat

    The Heat is On...Snapchat (One Week on Snapchat as a 7th Grader)

  7. Jun 22

    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 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:  Get the Bark Phone!  Monitor your child's iPhone with the Bark App. Get the Bark Watch!

  8. Jun 15

    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 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 iCloudWhy child safety advocates supported Apple's abandoned 2021 detection planThe scale of online child sexual abuse material and its impact on survivorsApple's App Store, AI nudify apps, and deepfake child exploitation concernsThe direct-action campaigns pressuring Apple to changeA breakdown of Apple's newly announced parental controls and safety featuresWhat 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.

    The Heat is On...Apple (powered by child sexual abuse)
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4.7
out of 5
55 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Nicki Petrossi
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    325
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Nicki Petrossi
  • Show Website
    Scrolling 2 Death

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