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 driving families toward unsafe choices. Why do so many parents give in to the iPhone hype—and what’s really at stake when they do? This candid conversation exposes how Apple prioritizes privacy over child safety, how peer pressure fuels early tech adoption, and why it’s time for a new standard in kids’ digital wellbeing. If you're a parent wondering what phone is truly safest for your child, this episode is your guide.
March 2024 Episode: Safer for kids? iPhone or Bark Phone
This episode is sponsored by Bark Technologies.
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 what drove them to make the film, what impacted them most, and what they learned. “We thought the dangers of social media were already well known,” they say. “But what we discovered was far worse than we imagined. That’s when we knew this story had to be told."
Matthew and Perri also share practical advice for parents on how to help keep kids safe online—insights gained from their deep dive into the world of youth social media use.
Based on Olivia Carville’s investigative reporting for Bloomberg, Can’t Look Away follows the Social Media Victims Law Center in its fight for justice on behalf of families devastated by social media’s dark side.
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 grounds for predators. Even more disturbing, a recent survey revealed that online algorithms are actually creating predators by serving them illicit content before they even seek it out.
Tech companies have the power to remove this harmful content, but they continue to avoid accountability. As new threats like AI and deep fakes emerge, it’s more important than ever for parents to take action through education, vigilance, and open communication.
Tune in to hear Mary and Nicki of Scrolling 2 Death dive deeper. This episode is a must-listen for anyone raising kids in the digital world.
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 school, the findings are impossible to ignore. Nicki covers it all: data privacy, inappropriate content on school-issued devices, and the growing disconnect between parent values and EdTech policy. If you’ve ever felt powerless watching your child glued to a Chromebook or iPad— this episode will inform, empower, and equip you to start changing the conversation at your school.
Full survey summary + email template for school outreach available here.
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 harms are becoming harder to ignore.
British actress and children’s advocate, Sophie Winkleman, noticed how agitated her kids became after hours of screen-based learning. She gave them permission to read books instead. Her instinct was right – and the research backs her up: too much screen time in schools is harming students’ focus, memory, and academic performance.
Sweden has become the first country to reverse its digital-first education policy– replacing screens with printed textbooks and handwriting, especially for young learners. Sophie hopes more countries will follow.
In this episode of Scrolling 2 Death, Sophie joins Nicki to explore the data behind screen harm and why parents need to start asking schools tough questions: Is EdTech really helping our kids learn? Or is it putting them in danger?
Jenna Poste, a former tech executive, was once at the forefront of innovation at Blackberry, helping to build products during the rise of the “always on” movement – a time that felt brimming with excitement and productivity. However, as engagement metrics and data collection became the true engines of tech growth, Big Tech extended its reach beyond businesses and into childhood. The consequences are now all too clear: addiction, isolation, anxiety, depression, and more.
With deep insight into how these platforms are designed, Jenna has made a deliberate choice to keep her young children offline and prioritize real-world connections. As a co-founder of the Nova Scotia chapter of Unplugged Canada, she’s advocating for healthier childhoods by delaying smartphone use and encouraging mindful technology habits–for kids and parents alike. “If I am on my phone in front of them, I tell them why…like, ‘I’m looking up a recipe for dinner or answering an important work call’.”
In this episode, Jenna and Nicki of Scrolling 2 Death share their perspectives on raising kids in a hyper-connected world, why they chose a different path, and how families can reclaim balance in their lives.
About Jenna Poste
Jenna Poste is a tech executive, mom of two and co-founder of the Nova Scotia chapter of Unplugged Canada—a national parent-led movement working to raise awareness about the impacts of smartphones and social media on kids' mental health and development and advocating for parents to delay.
With nearly two decades of experience in the tech industry, Jenna has built products at BlackBerry, led safety initiatives in social media and developed tools focused on well-being. Today, she's using that experience to advocate for healthier childhoods - delaying smartphones, promoting real-world connection, and pushing for policy change across Canada.
The Big Tech Gut Check is a weekly update for parents on all things social media and Big Tech.
Updates for this week:
Don’t feel guilty—get angry. And then turn that anger into action.
In this powerful episode, law professor and Unwired author Gaia Bernstein joins Nicki from Scrolling 2 Death to talk about the growing crisis of tech addiction—and how it’s impacting our kids. Gaia studied law and technology in the early 2000s, a time marked by great optimism about the promise of global connectivity. As social media gained traction, Gaia grew suspicious. She began raising alarms in 2017, long before most people realized the toll constant screen time and social media would take on mental health. Today, those warnings have become reality: teen depression has doubled, and suicide rates among young girls have quadrupled.
Now, instead of fixing the problem, Big Tech is pushing even more addictive tools, like AI chatbots, into our kids’ lives.
Gaia wants to remind parents that we’re not powerless and we’re not to blame. Real change won’t come from Silicon Valley. It starts with us: parents, educators, and communities acting from the ground up. Tune in to hear why the time to act is now—and how you can help protect the next generation.
Summer’s here—and that means more sunshine, more free time… and a lot more screen time.
In this episode, Nicki Petrossi sits down with Titania Jordan to talk about the ups, downs, and everything-in-between of parenting through summer break. They swap stories, explore why boredom is actually a gift, and share practical ways to help kids unplug, get outside, and build independence.
From setting healthy tech boundaries to using kid-friendly tools that actually work, this is a real talk on how to survive—and enjoy—summer with your kids (without letting devices take over).
This episode is sponsored by Bark Technologies.
Learn about the Bark App for iPhones and Androids. *Use code SCROLLING2DEATH FOR 10% OFF
What happens when a Big Tech insider turns child advocate and parent educator? In this powerful conversation, Sarah Gallagher Trombley — former Snapchat executive — joins Nicki Petrossi to pull back the curtain on the hidden dangers kids face on social media. From Snapchat to TikTok, YouTube to Instagram, no platform is safe. Sarah shares the uncomfortable truth about what parental controls can’t fix, why smart devices are riskier than most parents realize, and how platforms are failing our kids. If you're a parent, this episode has the facts you can't afford to miss.
Sarah Gallagher Trombley is digital parenting author, speaker and thought leader. Her mission is to help parents navigate the digital world with and for their kids by providing insight, advice and practical tips. Sarah helps parents with the “how” - how to manage parental controls, social media, choosing devices, video games & more.
Sarah has reached thousands of parents through her popular newsletter, Thoughts From A Digital Mom, as well as through speaking events and social accounts. She has two award winning on-demand courses for parents: Tweens and Tech: How to Deal with Group Chat, Social Media and Devices and All About Apple: How To Set Up Parental Controls For Any Apple Device.
Sarah currently holds a strategic advisor role on the Board of Wait Until 8th.
Lavanya Gupta, CEO and Founder of Silana Learning and a former Meta employee, is raising awareness about the hidden dangers of tech. With insight into the inner workings of Big Tech, she made the deliberate choice to keep her young daughters offline. But when the pandemic hit and remote learning became a necessity, she realized the inescapable - and often harmful - role that digital platforms can play, even in the classroom.
Many parents assume that school-approved apps are safe, but Lavanya warns otherwise. Her top concern? Data privacy. “Schools are consenting on behalf of parents without considering long-term consequences,” she says. Invited by her children’s school to help shape tech policies, she found her mission: empowering parents to protect their kids online.
Lavanya shares practical strategies for digital safety, rates apps based on the strength of their parental controls, and offers guidance on age-appropriate media use - all backed by research and real-world insights.
Don’t miss this conversation with Nicki from Scrolling 2 Death and Lavanya Gupta - packed with tips, best practices, and must-know advice to keep your kids safe online.
The Big Tech Gut Check is a super quick, weekly update on all things social media and Big Tech.
Social Media & Big Tech highlights for this week:
We often hear the most extreme stories - eating disorders, overdoses, suicides – linked to social media. But in reality, many kids are struggling in silence, even while appearing to be okay. Gabriela Nguyen, a recent Harvard graduate and founder of Appstinence, is working to shed light on this issue.
Raised in the Silicon Valley during the rise of social media, Gabriela was hooked from a young age. Her father, shaped by his experiences during the Vietnam War, warned her of the power of media to manipulate and control. His words stuck – especially when he asked, “I understand that you want to take hundreds of selfies for Snapchat, but do you want to want that? She soon realized how social media was distorting her sense of self.
It took six years to fully quit, a testament to how addictive these platforms are, but now she’s given up social media and doesn’t even use a smartphone. Every part of her life has improved - and she wants others to know they can step away too.
Tune in as Nicki from Scrolling 2 Death and Gabriela discuss how Appstinence, a Gen Z–led initiative, is helping people understand the subtle harms of social media and how to take steps towards a healthier digital life.
Sextortion scams targeting teen boys are on the rise — and they’re happening through platforms parents trust, like Instagram, Snapchat and even Apple’s iMessage. In this eye-opening conversation, Scrolling 2 Death host Nicki Petrossi and Sarah Gardner of Heat Initiative expose the devastating impact of these scams and the chilling truth about Apple’s inaction.
Why hasn’t Apple built better protections? Why are predators thriving in their ecosystem? Why is Apple ignoring the CSAM stored in iCloud? And what can parents do right now to safeguard their children? This is a must-listen for anyone who believes Big Tech should be held accountable for child safety.
Wall Street Journal: 'Sextortion' Scams Involving Apple Messages Ended in Tragedy for These Boys
About Sarah Gardner
Sarah Gardner is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Heat Initiative. Prior to launching Heat’s campaign to hold Apple accountable, Sarah spent 10 years at Thorn, an organization that builds technology to combat online child sexual abuse, where she was integral to its growth from a small, start-up effort to a multi-million dollar nonprofit. As Vice President of External Affairs, she helped develop a plan to eliminate child sexual abuse material from the internet which spurred a $63M investment in the organization through the TED Audacious Prize. Sarah also worked at Free the Slaves, an organization empowering local organizations to end modern forms of slavery.
"I’m convinced they hate us," says Luke Richey, co-founder of Gravity Jack, referring to gaming giants like Roblox and Fortnite - companies he believes knowingly endanger children for profit. His wife and co-founder, Jennifer Richey, adds that 63% of human trafficking involving Gen A and Gen Z now originates through gaming platforms. In 2023 alone, Roblox reported over 13,000 child exploitation incidents - a figure they admit is likely just the tip of the iceberg.
Maybe it’s not hate, but indifference that leads kids to trafficking and suicide feels like total disregard for human life.
Luke, one of the pioneers of augmented reality for Pokémon Go, recalls how early AR games helped lower suicide rates as kids went outside and connected in real life. But instead of building on that positive impact, many gaming companies adopted Big Tech’s “engagement at all costs” model, prioritizing time spent and revenue over safety.
Now, we're left with games and chat platforms rife with violence, profanity, and harm.
It’s a grim reality that Gravity Jack is determined to change. As Jennifer and Luke build safer alternatives, they offer three key guidelines for parents:
Resource: Family Gaming Database
In this episode, we dive into virtual reality, AI's role in gaming, and more. Don’t miss this vital conversation with Jennifer, Luke, and Nicki from Scrolling 2 Death.
Connect with Jen & Luke at Gravity Jack.
About Jen & Luke
Jennifer Richey is a tech entrepreneur, strategist, and co-founder of Gravity Jack, where she helps brands like Ford, Intel, and NASA create cutting-edge augmented and virtual reality experiences. With over a decade of leadership in emerging technologies, Jennifer is passionate about innovation, storytelling, and building solutions that connect people in new ways. She also holds multiple patents in the AR space.
Outside of work, Jennifer is a wife, mom, and proud grandma to three amazing grandchildren. She believes the best innovations come from a life filled with family, adventure, and a bit of fearless creativity.
Luke Richey is a veteran entrepreneur, technologist, and innovator.
He began coding at 14, including early work with NASA, and went on to co-found multiple successful startups, including OpenEye (acquired by Alarm.com). As co-founder of Gravity Jack, he helped pioneer augmented reality and AI applications for Fortune 500 companies and major game brands like Pokémon GO and World of Tanks. With over two decades of experience and multiple exits, Luke now focuses on building new technologies that connect and empower the next generation.
In this powerful conversation, Nicki Petrossi and Rick Lane dive into the latest legislative moves to make the internet safer for kids. They break down the Take It Down Act, a critical step in fighting back against non-consensual explicit content and AI deepfakes. But the work isn't done.
Parents must continue the pressure to pass additional bills like The DEFIANCE Act, NO FAKES Act and the Kids Online Safety Act.
Nicki and Rick stress the vital role of parents, communities, and advocates in pushing these protections forward. They also tackle the growing threats posed by AI, highlighting how new tech can be exploited in harmful ways if left unchecked.
The conversation wraps with a clear and urgent message: Parents need to stay alert, get involved, and be a powerful force in shaping a safer digital world for their kids.
Contact your Representative in the House and your Senator.
*Tell them you support the NO FAKES Act and DEFIANCE Act.
*Tell them you do not support the moratorium on AI regulation that was included in the budget reconciliation bill.
Letter from 40 Attorneys General Opposing moratorium on AI regulation.
In this explosive episode, I connected with Kelly Stonelake, a former Meta insider who spent 15 years at the company witnessing firsthand how the tech giant prioritizes growth at the expense of user safety. From early roles shaping the Facebook product to leading teams behind major launches, Kelly shares what finally pushed her to speak out. Most recently, she was involved in the development of Horizon Worlds, Meta’s flagship VR game. Despite internal concerns over safety risks and product readiness, Kelly reveals how the company steamrolled ahead, driven by its relentless race to dominate the metaverse. This conversation is a sobering look at the human cost of tech ambition—and why insiders like Kelly are risking everything to tell the truth.
Content Warning: Includes discussion of internal company misconduct and safety failures affecting vulnerable users.
The Big Tech Gut Check is a super quick, weekly update on all things social media and Big Tech.
Social Media & Big Tech highlights for this week:
In this honest and heartfelt conversation, Nicki Reisberg sits down with Titania Jordan—chief parent officer at Bark—to talk about the emotional realities of navigating families changes and prioritizing mental health for both parents and children. Together, they unpack the pressures families face today, including rising rates of anxiety and depression among teens.
From personal stories to professional insights, Nicki and Titania explore the power of therapy, the importance of normalizing mental health conversations, and practical coping strategies that can truly make a difference. They also spotlight Bark’s new partnership with Talkspace, which is helping expand access to affordable, convenient mental health resources for families across the country.
Whether you're a parent going through a tough season or someone who cares deeply about the mental well-being of kids, this episode offers both comfort and concrete tools for support.
Learn about the Bark App for iPhones and Androids.
*Use code SCROLLING2DEATH FOR 10% OFF
Fifteen-year-old and co-founder of Lookupp, Atiksh Bhan, remembers when life was better. He and his friends would spend their afternoons biking, exploring the woods and playing games outside. But then, smartphones came along. =
Instead of adventures, they’d spend their time sitting around, scrolling through TikTok. "We’d be huddled around one phone, looking over someone’s shoulder. It just wasn't fun anymore," Atiksh says. And even though they were ‘connected’ through technology, he felt lonelier than ever.
Atiksh and his brother only had basic flip phones, but they started to notice a shift in their peers who had smartphones: increasing anxiety, depression and eating disorders. Adding phones to typical teen dilemmas, like breakups and friend drama, was like throwing gasoline on a fire.
Determined to make a change, they created LookUpp – an app that rewards you for staying off your phone when you’re with people you care about. The longer your screen is off, the more points you earn. And they’re teaming up with parents, communities, and local businesses to translate points into real-life rewards.
Tune in to hear directly from Atiksh, a teen navigating the digital age, as he and Nicki from Scrolling 2 Death talk about rebuilding connections, before it’s too late.
