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The courtroom doors are open—and the stakes couldn’t be higher. In this Week 1 recap of The Heat is On…Big Tech on Trial, we take you inside the very beginning of what some are calling the tobacco trials of our generation: the first case in the social media addiction litigation, where some of the most powerful companies in the world—Meta and YouTube—are facing off against a child. This week was all about jury selection. But don’t let the term fool you—some trials are effectively decided here. From the courthouse, hosts Nicki Petrossi (of Scrolling 2 Death) and Sarah Gardner (of Heat Initiative) break down what actually happened during the week, why it matters, and what an “impartial juror” even looks like in a world saturated by social media. We’re joined by: Attorney Laura Marquez Garrett (SMVLC), with legal context on jury selection, the TikTok and Snap settlements, and what Big Tech fears most as this trial moves forward.Julianna Arnold, founding member of Parents RISE and mom to Coco, who passed awayat 17 from social media harms—and now a plaintiff in the consolidated case—sharing what it feels like to finally be this close to the truth. In this episode, you'll hear: What stood out emotionally and ethically inside the courtroomHow 450 potential jurors were narrowed down—and why that process can make or break the caseWhy media access is already a fight, with only 10 seats available for pressThe growing comparisons between these trials and Big Tobacco—and what history tells usWhat survivor parents are bracing for as testimony begins Plus: what’s coming next, including opening statements, witness testimony, and the anticipated appearance of Mark Zuckerberg. We’re inside the courtroom so parents everywhere don’t have to guess what’s happening behind closed doors. Because this trial—and the ones that follow—will shape the future of child safety online. Next week: Final jury selection and Opening Statements. Stay with us. Share this episode. And keep paying attention.

The Calm Before the Storm — What This Trial Means for Parents What happens when families finally take Big Tech to court—and win the right to be heard? In the premiere episode of The Heat Is On… Big Tech on Trial, hosts Nicki Petrossi and Sarah Gardner take parents inside what some are calling the trial of the century: consolidated lawsuits brought by thousands of families, school districts, and 29 states against Meta, Snap, TikTok, and YouTube for allegedly addicting and harming children. Sitting in the courtroom so you don’t have to, we will break down what this trial is really about—addiction, internal knowledge, and accountability—and why it matters for how you parent right now. You’ll hear from attorneys working the case, who explain how these cases came together and what’s at stake, and from parents whose children have been harmed (or lost) to harms instigated by social media. This episode sets the stage for what’s coming next: the first bellwether trial (KGM), the judge, the jury, the defense tactics, and what parents should be watching for as CEOs prepare to take the stand. This isn’t about screen time. It’s about accountability. And it’s about protecting our children. New episodes drop weekly as the trial unfolds. Sign up for trial updates at https://www.scrolling2death.com/heat Thank you to our special guests on this episode, Laura Marquez-Garrett of the Social Media Victims Law Center, Previn Warren of Motley Rice and Lori Schott, mom of Annalee (forever 18).

In this episode of Scrolling 2 Death, I’m joined by Emily Cherkin, known as The Screentime Consultant—a leading voice pushing back against the digitization, commodification, and gamification of childhood. Emily is a best-selling author, professor, speaker, and lead plaintiff in lawsuits challenging EdTech’s exploitation of children’s privacy. This week, she’s taking that fight straight to Washington, DC—testifying before the U.S. Senate. We start by tackling the questions parents ask me every day: Is there a real link between screen time and declining literacy?What does the NIH’s ABCD brain study actually show about changes to kids’ brains?How do you enforce age ratings when everyone else’s kid has access to mature games?What can parents do about screens at school beyond 1:1 devices—from Smartboards to YouTube to GoNoodle?And how do you push back when schools say, “The program requires X minutes to be effective”? Then we shift to what’s happening in the Senate: Why this hearing is different from past conversations about screen timeWhy EdTech is finally being put under the microscopeWhat parents should know about the Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA)And what real takeaways families can use right now Finally, we talk about one of the most powerful—and intimidating—tools parents have: lawsuits. Emily shares updates on her EdTech cases, breaks down how the legal process works, and explains how parents can get involved without feeling overwhelmed. This is a must-listen for parents who know something is wrong—but are ready to do something about it. 🔗 Resources mentioned: Full Senate hearingFind out more about taking legal action against EdTech companies: edtech.lawEmily's Substack: First Fish ChroniclesUnplug EdTech ToolkitThe Digital Delusion (book) by Jared Cooney Horvath

What happens when artificial intelligence stops acting like a tool—and starts acting like a friend? In this episode of Scrolling 2 Death, I’m joined by Sam Hiner, founder of Young People's Alliance, a national youth-led organization organizing across 55 college campuses to take on Big Tech and protect the next generation. Sam began cold-calling lawmakers as a high school student during COVID—and today, he’s helping lead state and federal policy fights against social media addiction and the rise of human-like AI companions that are quietly targeting children. We unpack: Why lawmakers still don’t understand how algorithms—and AI companions—actually workHow companies like Character.ai, Replika, and others are intentionally designing bots to simulate love, pride, and emotional attachmentWhy kids are forming deep emotional bonds with AI—and what that means for mental health, community, and developmentThe disturbing reality of AI companions engaging sexually with minors while hiding behind legal disclaimersWhy states—not Congress—may be our best chance to protect kids right nowThe new Human-Like AI Framework and what parents can do today to push for real safeguards This conversation is a wake-up call: AI isn’t just changing how kids learn—it’s changing who they connect with, who they trust, and who they turn to when they’re lonely. And unless we act, the future being built for our children may look a lot darker than we realize. Action Step for Listeners: Send this Model Bill to your State Lawmakers (Protecting Kids from Manipulative AI Chatbots)

What happens when a school-issued Chromebook starts talking to your child—without permission? In this episode of Scrolling 2 Death, Nicki is joined by Julie Frumin, a mental health professional, mom, and education safety advocate in Southern California, who shares her shocking experience navigating school-issued devices, hidden AI chatbots, and a system that told her she had only two choices: accept AI on her children’s devices—or turn them in entirely. Julie walks us through: How her elementary-aged daughter was exposed to inappropriate content during school recessHow an AI chatbot appeared unprompted on her middle schooler’s Chromebook, offering to do his homeworkWhy schools claim parents cannot legally opt out of devices in CaliforniaThe hidden data collection, surveillance, and lack of transparency inside EdTech platformsThe intimidation parents face when raising concerns with districts and school boardsWhy “teaching kids to use tech responsibly” ignores brain development and addiction science We also dig into the bigger picture: Why EdTech is replacing teachers, how school budgets are being diverted to software contracts, and why parents deserve transparency, consent, and the right to refuse technology that doesn’t serve their children. Julie shares practical advice for parents who want to push back—starting with teachers, navigating principals and school boards, and getting involved in statewide policy efforts, including proposals to: Require full transparency and parental consent for EdTechPause AI use in K–8 classroomsRestore paper-and-pencil learning and assessmentsMove toward distraction-free, developmentally appropriate schools This is an essential conversation for any parent who’s been told, “This is just how school works now.” Because it doesn’t have to be. ‍ Resources, research, and advocacy links mentioned in this episode are available here: Parent Templates to start conversations with your school, organized by Tech-Safe LearningFit for Purpose by Faith BonningerDistraction Free Schools CaliforniaDistraction Free Schools (US)Interviews with neuroscientist Jared Cooney-Horvath here and hereSchools Beyond Screens (LAUSD Coalition)Book Reco: Screen DamageBook Reco: Digital Delusion by Jared Cooney-HorvathJoin The Heat is On parent group to take action

Today on Scrolling 2 Death, Nicki sits down with Congressman Chris Deluzio—a dad of four and a fierce advocate for safer, healthier schools—to unpack one of the most urgent issues facing American families: screens in the classroom. Rep. Deluzio recently released a major report on smartphone use in schools after months of research and conversations with teachers, administrators, and parents across Western Pennsylvania. He breaks down what he found, why phone-free schools are gaining bipartisan momentum nationwide, and why Pennsylvania has struggled to pass similar legislation. Nicki and the Congressman go deeper, expanding the conversation beyond smartphones to the overlooked risks of school-issued devices, lack of oversight, and the growing push to introduce AI chatbots into middle-school classrooms. From data privacy to compulsive design to tech companies lobbying to stop states from regulating AI, this episode exposes the full ecosystem of digital harm entering our children’s schools—often without parents’ knowledge. The conversation ends with a call for bipartisan cooperation and real accountability: parents, educators, and lawmakers working together to ensure that technology in schools actually supports learning instead of undermining it. If you care about what your kids are exposed to at school, this is an episode you can’t miss. Elected in 2022 and re-elected in 2024, Congressman Chris Deluzio is serving his second term in Congress representing the people of Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District—where he serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Pennsylvania’s 17th district includes all of Beaver County and parts of Allegheny County. Congressman Deluzio is a native of Thornburg and lives with his family in Allegheny County. Congressman Deluzio is an Iraq War veteran, voting rights attorney, and union organizer. He graduated from Bishop Canevin High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree with merit from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis.

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 Initiative ‍ Expert Guests:  Kelly Stonelake - Former Meta executive and whistleblower Arturo Bejar - Former Meta executive and whistleblower Paul Raffile - Cyber analyst and sextortion expert Jonathan Haidt - Author of The Anxious Generation ‍ Expert 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 Initiative Expert Guests:  Kelly Stonelake - Former Meta executive and whistleblower Arturo Bejar - Former Meta executive and whistleblower Paul Raffile - Cyber analyst and sextortion expert Jonathan Haidt - Author of The Anxious Generation ‍ Resources mentioned in the episode: Instagram Teens research by Parents TogetherNY Times: The Men Who Use Instagram to Groom Child Influencers by Michael Keller Expert 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/heat‍ This 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.

The Heat is On is a new investigative series by Scrolling 2 Death, in partnership with The Heat Initiative. Sarah Gardner, Founder and CEO of The Heat Initiative, joins Nicki (S2D) to expose the truth Big Tech doesn’t want you to hear – and our next episode is all about Snapchat. In Part 1, we revealed how Snapchat built its empire by marketing a sexting app to kids, fueling addiction, exploitation, and harm. Today, in Part 2, we uncover what happens inside Snapchat when employees raise the alarm. The truth: executives routinely dismiss internal warnings and ignore grieving parents. The company hides behind ineffective parental controls that almost no one uses: fewer than 1% of parents activate them. And it’s not because employees didn’t try. Internal emails show trust and safety staff had “little contact with upper management” and faced pushback whenever they proposed in-app safety features because CEO Evan Spiegel “prioritized design. According to Snap’s own internal documents, proactively identifying and protecting minors from sexual content or predators would “overburden moderators,” “create disproportionate admin costs,” and should not be Snap’s responsibility. Snapchat isn’t just failing to prevent harm; it resists cooperation even after tragedies occur. In this episode, you’ll hear how the company obstructs law enforcement and leaves devastated families without support. This episode isn’t just about what Snapchat has done—it's about what they refuse to do, and what it will take to force change. Lawsuits and legislation matter, but real progress requires collective action and public pressure. Here are three simple steps parents can take to demand child protections from Snapchat: 1.     Join our email list for real-time actions you can take. 2.     Set a family rule: no Snapchat for minors—and don’t use it yourself. So basically, no Snapchat ever. 3.     Share what you learned with one friend or family member. This episode was expertly edited by Jacob Meade. Thank you to our incredible guests: Laura Marquez-Garrett - Attorney, Social Media Victims Law Center Amy Neville - Parent survivor, founder of Alexander Neville FoundatonJonathan Haidt - Author of The Anxious Generation Paul Raffile - Sextortion expert (featured in Part 1)Aaron Ping - Survivor parent and host of the Superhuman podcastJim & Kate Sullivan - Survivor parent Anna McAdams - Affected parentPaul Solotaroff of Rolling Stone Sarah Gallagher Trombley, ex-Snapchat executive and founder of Digital Mom Media

Ava Smithing, Advocacy Director at the Young People’s Alliance, returns to Scrolling 2 Death to share an exciting new project. If you missed her previous episodes, Ava is a leading youth voice for nonpartisan policy solutions for safer technology development. Growing up in the early days of social media, she experienced firsthand how harmful algorithms can shape young users’ lives - even contributing to her own struggle with an eating disorder. Now, she’s turned that experience into a mission to raise awareness and drive change. In this episode, Ava dives into two key concerns: The dangers of engagement algorithms and the harmful content they amplify.The erosion of privacy, as tech companies quietly collect and share user data across apps and sites to influence what we see and buy online. To elevate youth perspectives, Ava has launched a new podcast, Left to Their Own Devices, which explores the real stories of young people navigating life online. But the show doesn’t just highlight the harms; it imagines what a healthier, more ethical digital world could look like. Tune in as Nicki from Scrolling 2 Death and Ava discuss why young people shouldn’t just be consulted about technology’s future -  they should be guiding us all

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 all about Snapchat. From a disappearing-nude app in 2011 to a social media giant in 2025, Snapchat’s story is one of innovation, imitation, and controversy. When it comes to digital harms and kids, Snapchat ranks among the worst—which is why this story expands two parts. In Part 1, we’re exposing how Snapchat’s “innovations” have put profits ahead of our children’s safety.  Snapchat’s culture was flawed from the start. The FTC sanctioned the company early on for misleading users about how ‘private’ disappearing snaps really were. Since then, features like Discover and AR filters have been designed to keep kids endlessly engaged, regardless of the consequences. Today, nearly half of all U.S. teens use Snapchat. Yet the platform continues to enable drug poisonings, connect minors with predators, and drive addictive use. As psychologist Jonathan Haidt warns, Snapchat is harming children on an industrial scale - and insiders admit the company knows but fails to act. Online drug dealing, especially fentanyl-laced pills, has fueled a 350% rise in teen deaths over the past three years. Snapchat’s Quick Add feature helps dealers find young users, exposing an estimated 700,000 people to drug content daily. Even when dealers are reported, only one in four accounts is removed. Sextortion is another growing crisis. Snapchat receives about 10,000 reports each month— numbers employees say barely scratch the surface. Predators exploit the app’s disappearing messages, and with Snap Map, digital threats increasingly turn into real-world harm. Rather than designing for safety, Snapchat keeps doubling down on engagement. Features like Snapstreaks drive compulsive use; 45% of teens now use the app “almost constantly.” Your child’s attention keeps them profitable. In this episode, Sarah and Nicki hear from parents and experts who’ve seen the damage firsthand. Their message is clear: these aren’t accidents - they’re design choices. The question is...can Snapchat fix this? Or is Snap a lost cause? Video Editing expertly provided by Jacob Meade. Thank you to our featured guests: Laura Marquez-Garrett - Attorney, Social Media Victims Law CenterAmy Neville - Parent survivor, founder of Alexander Neville Foundation‍Jonathan Haidt - Author of The Anxious GenerationPaul Raffile - Cyber-analyst and worldwide sextortion expertAaron Ping - Survivor parent of Avery Ping and host of the Superhuman podcastJim & Kate Sullivan - Survivor parent of Jack SullivanAnna McAdams - Online safety advocate and mom of EllistonPaul Solotaroff - Senior Writer at Rolling StoneMike Neff - Attorney, Neff Injury LawSarah Gallagher Trombley - former Snapchat Exec and Founder of Digital Mom Media

This episode discusses youth suicide and social media harm; listener discretion is advised. London was bright, goofy, empathetic, brilliant. She played soccer year-round, read nonstop, danced through the kitchen, and filled her Michigan home with laughter. But during the pandemic, when she was just eight, a smartphone and social media entered her life. What followed was a years-long battle with algorithmic addiction that Charay—like millions of parents—never saw coming. In this raw and devastating interview, London’s mom Charay Gadd shares the truth no parent should ever have to live through: TikTok pushing self-harm and suicide content when London searched for harmless topics… Snapchat teaching her to hide messages… multiple secret accounts… emotional manipulation from streaks and scores… and a child who didn’t understand the permanence of death because of what she saw online. Charay takes us through London’s hospitalizations, the cries for help, and the night everything changed. Her message is one every parent must hear: This wasn’t London. This was addiction. This was social media. Today, Charay fights for justice—alongside more than 1,000 families in the national lawsuit against Big Tech—and honors London’s life through a scholarship that empowers teens to make a difference in the world. This episode is not entertainment.It’s a warning.And it will save lives. You can donate to a scholarship program in London's name, here.