Scrolling 2 Death

Nicki Reisberg
  • 4.8 (38)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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. The Heat is On Apple: Part 1

    2D AGO

    The Heat is On Apple: Part 1

    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 technology — they changed childhood: putting powerful, addictive devices directly in kids’ hands. 88% of teens now own an iPhone.  Apple has convinced us that parental controls keep iPhones and iPads “safe”, but that is an illusion.  In this episode, Sarah and Nicki dig into the core apps and platforms available to children through Apple devices: iMessage, Screen Time, The App Store, and iCloud. Disclaimer: This episode includes discussion of child sexual abuse and online child exploitation. If you or someone you know is a victim of exploitation, contact the CyberTipline at NCMEC: report.cybertip.org. Or text Hello to 741741 for immediate assistance. Here's what you can do to put pressure on Apple: Sign up for our campaign updates at scrolling2death.com/heat.Share this episode with a friend and family member. Choose a child-safe device. In Part 2, you will learn about changes that Apple can make to better protect kids, and how we pressure Apple to act. ‍  Thank you to our expert guests: Jonathan Haidt - Author of The Anxious Generation Paul Raffile - Cyber analyst and sextortion expert Chris McKenna – Digital safety advocate and founder of Protect Young Eyes Video Editing by Jacob Meade

    42 min

  2. 3D AGO

    BREAKING: Character.AI Teen Experience (Progress or PR?)

    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 pressure on Big Tech by signing up here: scrolling2death.com/heat

    19 min

  3. 5D AGO

    Less Tech, More Teaching: A Superintendent’s Bold Move (with Dr. Mike Swan)

    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 the lessons learned along the way. This conversation is a roadmap for every community wondering: What if we put education — not technology — back at the center of our schools? Burke County: A RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING BALANCED INSTRUCTION THROUGH REDUCED SCREEN USE Tech-Safe Learning: Resources for parents to help engage with your school district Reach out to Dr. Mike Swan with questions at his email: mswan@burke.k12.nc.us

    28 min

  4. OCT 20

    When Video Games Take Over: A Mother’s Story (with Melanie Hempe)

    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 why screen addiction isn’t just “too much screen time” but a chemical dependency that rewires a child’s brain. She unpacks the hidden dangers of smartphones, excessive gaming, and constant digital entertainment—and why parents must understand the science behind it. But this episode isn’t about fear—it’s about freedom. Melanie offers practical steps for breaking free from the screen trap, building resilience, and fostering healthy development through real-life experiences, critical thinking, and independence. She also highlights the importance of community, reminding parents they’re not alone in the fight to raise kids who thrive without screens. If you’ve ever worried about your child’s relationship with technology—or questioned whether “everyone has a phone” is a good enough reason to give in—this is an episode you can’t afford to miss. You can get access to all of the resources by ScreenStrong at: https://screenstrong.org

    53 min

  5. OCT 13

    Your Tech Questions Answered (with Titania Jordan)

    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 Phone.‍Learn about the Bark App for iPhones and Androids.  *Use code SCROLLING2DEATH FOR 10% OFF‍Learn about the Bark Watch.

    40 min

  6. OCT 9

    Teen Safety or PR Stunt? Meta's False Promise to Parents (with Arturo Bejar)

    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 insights from teens themselves. Teen Accounts: Broken Promises (the full report published September 25, 2025) Heat Teen Safety Report TIME Magazine: Instagram Promised to Become Safer for Teens, Researchers Say It's Not Working Arturo Bejar's Written Senate Testimony (November 7, 2023) BBC Report: Instagram Eating Disorder Content "Out of Control"

    42 min

  7. OCT 6

    "I'm just a mom who got really mad." Parents Unite Against Tech Overuse at School (with Lila Byock)

    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 navigating her children’s experience with tech at school, and why she believes parents must speak up to demand real safeguards.  Lila Byock is an Emmy-winning television writer and the founder of Schools Beyond Screens, a grassroots coalition of parents and teachers fighting for safer tech in LA's public schools. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two tween boys, and one scruffy rescue mutt. Resources and templates for parents by Schools Beyond Screens can be found here.

    44 min

  8. SEP 29

    Screen Time & the Developing Brain (with Dr. Carrie Mackensen)

    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 understand what's happening neurologically and how to make informed choices. Our brains operate using two key systems: the emotional center, which rewards us with dopamine when something feels good, and the thinking brain, where we analyze, reflect, and make decisions. Activities like riding a bike or climbing a tree provide healthy dopamine boosts through effort and engagement. But scrolling social media or watching endless YouTube Shorts floods kids’ brains with 100 to 200 times the dopamine—without any effort—bypassing the thinking brain entirely. Over time, this leads to an underdeveloped thinking brain and an overstimulated emotional center. The result? Kids who are increasingly anxious, withdrawn, emotionally dysregulated, and lack critical thinking skills.  The good news: It’s not too late to make a change. Thanks to the brain’s neuroplasticity, you can help rewire these patterns and restore balance at home. Dr. Mackensen, a clinical psychologist, parent coach, and mom of two boys, shares her proven approach in conversation with Nicki from Scrolling 2 Death. Together, they offer practical tools and clear screen-time guidelines to help families create healthier digital boundaries. This is an episode every parent needs to hear. Dr. Carrie Mackensen is a clinical psychologist turned parent coach, author, and founder of Successful Parent. With a PhD in Individual, Family, and Child Psychology and experience as an attending psychologist at Cedars-Sinai and later as Clinical Director of a high-end residential addiction treatment program in Beverly Hills, she now helps families navigate the challenges of raising kids in a digital world. Drawing on both her clinical expertise and her own journey as a mom of two boys, Dr. Carrie blends neuroscience, attachment theory, and practical tools to empower parents to set healthy tech boundaries and strengthen family connection.

    41 min
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Trailer

4.8
out of 5
38 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 Reisberg
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    281
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Nicki Reisberg
  • Show Website
    Scrolling 2 Death

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