Scrolling 2 Death

When kids are harmed online, the first question people ask is: “Where were the parents?”In this episode of Scrolling 2 Death, we challenge that instinct—and expose why it is doing more harm than good.Scrolling 2 Death host Nicki Petrossi is joined by Glen Pounder, Executive Vice President and Chief Safeguarding Officer at Scouting America, to unpack one of the most persistent myths in child safety: that better parenting can prevent online harm.Drawing from his 30-year career combating crimes against children—and his recent article “The Comfort of Blame – and the Limits of Even the Best Parenting”—Glen shares what he’s seen firsthand: families who did everything right… and still had children targeted, groomed, and exploited online.This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice and into the uncomfortable truth:Why parent blame is so appealing—and so dangerousHow exploitation actually happens, even in attentive householdsThe hidden cost of shame, silence, and misplaced responsibilityAnd why this is not a parenting failure—it’s a systems failureIn the wake of major legal battles involving Meta and YouTube, this episode asks a harder question:Who really benefits when we keep blaming parents instead of holding platforms accountable?Because while families are being told to “do more,” tech companies continue to design environments that make harm easier—and harder to detect.If we want to actually protect kids, we have to move beyond blame… and start demanding better systems.#MyFriendToo Resource for Youth

In this mini-episode of Scrolling 2 Death, Nicki brought in Lila Byock to break down a major victory: the Los Angeles Unified School District has unanimously passed a sweeping new technology policy that limits screen use for students. After months of relentless advocacy from parents and teachers, the district is eliminating devices for its youngest learners, restricting platforms like YouTube, and setting clear screen time boundaries. They discuss what passed and how this moment could spark a nationwide shift in how schools use technology—and how you can bring these changes to your own district.LAUSD's new policy linked hereSign up at Schools Beyond Screens

On March 25, 2026, after eight days of deliberation, the jury reached a verdict in the first bellwether trial against Meta and YouTube.The verdict: The jury ruled in favor of Kaley on all counts. Scroll down to the bottom of this description for the full verdict.This week, we take you inside the final, nerve-wracking days in the hallway and courtroom — the jury questions about expert testimony, deleted accounts, Instagram usage, punitive damages, and the moment they told the judge they were deadlocked with one defendant.We walk through what each question meant, what it revealed about the jury’s thinking, and how both sides responded. You’ll hear what happened in real time as families waited, attorneys speculated, and the stakes became crystal clear.We’re joined by Laura Marquez-Garrett of the Social Media Victims Law Center to break down:What the verdict actually meansWhether an appeal is likelyWhy early bellwether cases often shape — but don’t decide — the larger warWhat happens next in the thousands of cases still moving forwardBecause this was never just about one family.It the most powerful tech companies in the world… versus families. And this verdict is the accelerator of justice.The trials continue. Thousands of families. Dozens of states. School districts. The pressure is building. We’ll continue to be inside the courtroom translating it all for parents everywhere.The Heat is On...Big Tech on Trial is an investigative mini-series by Scrolling 2 Death, in partnership with Heat Initiative.Video Editing expertly provided by Jacob Meade.Are you willing to take action against Big Tech? Join us in D.C.! Fill out this form.THE VERDICTMETAWas Meta negligent in the design or operation of Instagram? YESWas Meta’s negligence a substantial factor in causing harm to KGM? YESDid Meta know or should it reasonably have known that the design or operation of Instagram was dangerous or was likely to be dangerous when used by a minor in a reasonably foreseeable manner? YES‍Did Meta know or should it reasonably have known that users would not realize the danger? YESDid Meta fail to adequately warn of the danger? YESWould a reasonable platform designer or operator under the same or similar circumstances have warned of the danger or instructed on the safe use of the platform? YESWas Meta's failure to adequately warn or instruct a substantial factor in causing harm to KGM? YESYOUTUBEWas YouTube negligent in the design or operation of YouTube? YESWas YouTube's negligence a substantial factor in causing harm to KGM? YESDid YouTube know or should it reasonably have known that the design or operation of YouTube was dangerous or was likely to be dangerous when used by a minor in a reasonably foreseeable manner? YES‍Did YouTube know or should it reasonably have known that users would not realize the danger? YESDid YouTube fail to adequately warn of the danger? YESWould a reasonable platform designer or operator under the same or similar circumstances have warned of the danger or instructed on the safe use of the platform? YESWas YouTube's failure to adequately warn or instruct a substantial factor in causing harm to KGM? YES‍THE DAMAGESA. What are KGM's damages? $3,000,000B. What percentage of responsibility for K.G.M.’s harm do you assign to each of the following? 70% Meta30% YouTubeC. Do you find that K.G.M. proved by clear and convincing evidence that Meta acted with malice, oppression, or fraud in conduct upon which you base your finding of liability? YESD. Do you find that K.G.M. proved by clear and convincing evidence that YouTube acted with malice, oppression, or fraud in conduct upon which you base your finding of liability? YESPUNITIVE DAMAGES: $3,000,000 ($2.1M to Meta, $900K to YouTube)

This week inside the courtroom, science took center stage — and the stakes were higher than ever.Dr. Kara Bagot, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist who helped develop the NIH’s landmark ABCD brain study, spent five days on the stand. She testified that to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, Kaley developed social media addiction — and that YouTube acted as the “gateway,” beginning at just six years old. She walked the jury through the platform features that fuel compulsive use: infinite scroll, autoplay, algorithms, notifications, likes, filters, Shorts, Reels, and the lack of meaningful age verification.Under intense cross-examination from Meta and YouTube’s attorneys, Dr. Bagot held her ground — insisting on context over yes-or-no soundbites. Jurors watched closely. When she was finally excused, there as a quiet applause.Then came former Meta safety executive and whistleblower Arturo Bejar. He testified that by 2019, Meta researchers had identified addiction as a serious issue — but leadership discouraged even using the word, replacing it with “problematic use.” He described internal knowledge of harmful design choices, ineffective safety tools, and what he called “dark patterns,” including the infamous “blue button” that discouraged user reporting.Arturo also testified that age verification is not technically difficult — and that Meta could remove millions of under-13 users if it chose to.Next up was child safety expert and mom, Brooke Istook. Brooke powerfully described the generational tech gap, Instagram's growth team promoting FINSTAs, misleading safety promises, and the no-win position families face trying to supervise platforms designed to outmaneuver them.By week’s end, the Plaintiffs rested their case and the Defense began calling witnesses in the form of video depositions.Meanwhile, outside this courtroom, the pressure is mounting. Big tech lobbyists have infiltrated important online safety legislation and 33 new families across 19 states have joined the consolidated JCCP litigation, with Roblox newly added to the complaints.Thousands of families. Dozens of states. And now jurors — everyday people — watching some of the richest companies in the world fight a single family over what caused a young girl’s harm.These are the tobacco trials of our generation.We’re inside the courtroom translating it all in real time — joined this week by Christine Almadjian, legislative consultant and courtroom observer, and Lennon Torres of Heat Initiative — bringing you the moments that mattered, the legal context behind the strategy, and what it means for families everywhere.Because this fight isn’t abstract.It’s about the apps in our kids’ pockets.It’s about truth, justice and accountability.And it’s about whether these companies will finally be forced to change.We stand with families.The Heat is On...Big Tech on Trial is an investigative mini-series by Scrolling 2 Death, in partnership with Heat Initiative.Video Editing expertly provided by Jacob Meade.

This week, we’re joined by Meta whistleblower Brian Boland, who appeared as a witness in this trial, and law student Christine Almadjian, who has spent hours inside the courtroom watching this case unfold. Christine is also a legislative consultant with END OSEAC.Thousands of families, school districts, and dozens of states have filed consolidated lawsuits against TikTok, YouTube, Meta, and Snap Inc., alleging their platforms were deliberately designed to addict and harm children. Some are calling this “the tobacco trial of our generation.”The first case centers on Kaley — a child like yours and mine — facing the most powerful companies in the world.This week, YouTube’s VP of Engineering defended the algorithm as internal documents revealed research linking excessive use to addiction, sleep disruption, anxiety, depression, and body image issues — along with features like autoplay designed to increase watch time. We heard testimony that kids using YouTube while logged out are treated like adults, with no safety features enabled.A data expert challenged Meta and YouTube’s reported ad revenue from minors, citing “significant errors and contradictions,” followed by testimony from Kaley's therapist.Then Kaley took the stand.She described creating multiple accounts to like her own videos and posts, sneaking her phone at night, spending up to 16 hours a day on Instagram, feeling panic without her device — and still, at 20 years old, struggling to stop. When asked whether she had addiction, anxiety, depression, or body dysmorphia before social media, her answer was simple: no.Meta and YouTube pushed back hard, pointing to family conflict and school bullying. In just a few weeks, the jury will decide if social media was a subsantial factor in her mental heath struggles.This case isn’t just about one family. It’s about millions of kids — and what happens next affects all of us.The Heat is On...Big Tech on Trial is an investigative mini-series by Scrolling 2 Death, in partnership with Heat Initiative.Video Editing expertly provided by Jacob Meade.

Week 3 marks a turning point inside the courtroom: opening statements begin, the first witnesses take the stand, and the stakes become unmistakably real. Hosts Nicki Petrossi and Sarah Gardner (of Heat Initiative) bring you inside the proceedings as plaintiffs and defense lay out competing narratives about what happened to Kaley—and what responsibility tech giants bear.Plaintiff attorney Mark Lanier delivers what attendees call a “masterclass” opening, previewing internal records from YouTube and Meta suggesting early-age targeting and engineering for addiction. Defense attorney Paul Schmidt counters with a starkly different claim: that social platforms can benefit vulnerable teens and that responsibility lies elsewhere - on parents. YouTube counsel Louis Lee insists repeatedly: YouTube is not social media.The first expert witness, addiction psychiatrist Dr. Anna Lembke of Stanford University, author of Dopamine Nation, walks jurors through the neuroscience of compulsive use—arguing that platform design features can function like addictive stimuli, especially for adolescents. Cross-examinations grow tense as attorneys challenge her comparisons and conclusions.Midweek brings the highly anticipated testimony of Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, questioned about past statements on social media addiction, teen safety, and whether growth incentives conflict with child protection. Outside the courthouse, grieving parents—including featured guest John DeMay—camp overnight for seats, hold direct actions targeting Snapchat, and remind the world what this trial is really about: children.You’ll hear:Real-time courthouse reflectionsParent voices from the steps outsideKey courtroom exchanges that could shape the verdictLegal context explaining what jurors must decideNext week’s witnesses raise the stakes even higher, with expected testimony from Mark Zuckerberg and Neal Mohan.Because this isn’t just a trial. It’s a reckoning. And we’re translating every moment that matters for families everywhere.

Week 2 inside the courtroom didn’t unfold the way anyone expected.Just as jury selection was set to continue, the judge announced a sudden pause—triggered by illness, followed by a denied request from Meta to delay the trial for 30 days. What does a delay really mean in a case like this? And who benefits when time is bought?In this episode of The Heat is On…Big Tech on Trial, hosts Nicki Petrossi (of Scrolling 2 Death) and Sarah Gardner (of Heat Initiative) break down what happened behind the scenes, why jury selection may be the most important phase of the entire trial, and how defense strategies are already taking shape.You’ll hear legal context from veteran trial attorney Michael Quade, along with firsthand perspective from affected parents Toney and Brandy Roberts, who lost their 14-year-old daughter Englyn and are suing Meta, Snap, and TikTok for wrongful death and negligence.This week was grounded not by legal maneuvering—but by the parents.Survivor parents from around the world gathered in Los Angeles to witness the trial. Together, they held a vigil on the courthouse steps, honoring their children and demanding accountability. Nearly 20 media outlets showed up to hear their stories—not corporate talking points, but the human cost behind them.This case isn’t just about evidence or arguments. It’s about children.It’s about who controls the narrative.And it’s about which side of history we choose to stand on.We’re inside the courtroom—so parents everywhere don’t have to rely on headlines alone.Subscribe to The Heat is On miniseries here.

The Calm Before the Storm — What This Trial Means for ParentsWhat 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/heatThank 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).

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 safeguardsThis 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)

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.

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

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/heat‍This 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.

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