Scrolling 2 Death

Nicki Petrossi

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.

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Monday · 44 min
Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition (Part 3)
Part 3 with Dr. Jared Cooney-Horvath Is classroom technology actually helping children learn—or have we accepted a massive educational experiment without the evidence to support it? In Part 3 of our Ask the Experts: School Tech Edition mini-series, I'm joined by neuroscientist Dr. Jared Cooney-Horvath to examine what decades of brain science actually tell us about screens, AI, and learning. Using questions submitted by parents, we tackle some of the biggest debates in education today: Are devices improving student outcomes? How much classroom screen time is too much? Does AI help students learn—or replace critical thinking? And what is all this technology doing to children's attention, memory, reading comprehension, and developing brains? We also discuss Dr. Cooney-Horvath's groundbreaking review of i-Ready, one of the most widely used EdTech platforms in the United States, and why he believes parents and schools should demand stronger evidence before adopting products that shape millions of children's education. If you've ever been told that "kids need technology because it's the future," this conversation will challenge assumptions, unpack the research, and give you the science you need to make informed decisions for your family. 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. Jared's Substack: Why AI schools can't tell us why AI works Scimago Journal Ranking Tool Schools Beyond Screens - Parent Teacher Coalition Ed Zitron Substack 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.
August 17 · 33 min
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.
August 10 · 36 min
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 technology Whether AI belongs in schools—and why he says no How parents can advocate for less screen time without making teachers' jobs harder Whether you can opt your child out of Chromebooks, AI tools, and digital learning platforms Why schools rely so heavily on EdTech, and what parents should ask before accepting it What rights parents have to review classroom technology and digital curriculum The growing concerns around student privacy, online testing, and Responsible Use Agreements How 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.
July 27 · 48 min
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!
July 21 · 31 min
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
July 6 · 31 min
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.
June 29 · 26 min
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 friends Sexualized comments on videos featuring children Drug sellers and explicit creators suggested to minors Content promoting self-harm, violence, and disordered eating Concerns 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
June 22 · 36 min
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!
June 15 · 33 min
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 iCloud Why child safety advocates supported Apple's abandoned 2021 detection plan The scale of online child sexual abuse material and its impact on survivors Apple's App Store, AI nudify apps, and deepfake child exploitation concerns The direct-action campaigns pressuring Apple to change A breakdown of Apple's newly announced parental controls and safety features What 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.
May 25 · 24 min
New Data Exposes the School Tech Crisis (with Titania Jordan)
When schools hand children Chromebooks, iPads, Google accounts, and Microsoft Teams access, what’s really happening behind the screen? In this eye-opening conversation, Titania Jordan joins Nicki Petrossi to reveal alarming new data from Bark Technologies’s monitoring of school-issued technology used by millions of students across the U.S. The findings are staggering: 12% of children encountered cyberbullying 3.74% encountered instances of depression 7.46% encountered discussion or content related to suicidal ideation, imminent suicide or self-harm 39.83% of students encountered violent content 22% were exposed to drug-related content 10.77% encountered sexual content 11.64% encountered medically-concerning content 2.69% encountered hate speech 0.23% encountered body image content 1.79% encountered anxiety-related content They discuss how students are using Google Docs like disappearing-message apps, why schools are struggling to keep up, and what parents can do right now to better protect their children. This episode is a wake-up call for parents, educators, school administrators, and policymakers about the unintended consequences of putting addictive, poorly protected technology into children’s hands. Get Bark for Schools (for free!) Get the Bark Phone Parents Templates and Resources at Tech-Safe Learning
May 18 · 56 min
The Heat is On...Big Tech on Trial: Beyond the Headlines (with Kaley’s lead attorney Mark Lanier)
Legendary trial attorney Mark Lanier joins Nicki and Sarah for an emotional, behind-the-scenes look at the landmark social media addiction trial that ended in a jury verdict against Meta and YouTube. For nearly two months, we sat inside the Los Angeles courtroom documenting every moment — filling 589 pages of notes as grieving parents, advocates, reporters, jurors, and teams of attorneys battled over one central question: did these platforms knowingly build products that addict children, like Kaley? In this deeply personal interview, Mark breaks down exactly how the case was won, why Snapchat and TikTok settled just before trial, and what the jury ultimately decided about Kaley, the young woman at the center of the case. He also reveals shocking moments the public never saw — defense witnesses backing out, chaos inside the courthouse, the strategy behind avoiding a billion-dollar “runaway verdict,” and the cross-examinations that changed everything. The episode also revisits some of the most unforgettable lines from the trial, responding directly to claims made in court by executives and attorneys from Meta and YouTube. But this conversation is bigger than one verdict. It’s about children, addiction, grief, corporate power, and the parents fighting back against trillion-dollar tech companies. Mark shares what he believes this case means for the future of Big Tech accountability, why he calls it a defining trial of the 21st century, and the message he hopes families around the world take away from Kaley's story. The episode closes with a powerful discussion about parenting, love, and why human connection may be the strongest defense families have against platforms designed to exploit vulnerability. If you followed this trial in real time — or if you’re just beginning to understand what these platforms are doing to children — this is an episode you won’t forget. Here's a link to the actual verdict forms that the jury completed. Video Editing expertly provided by Jacob Meade.
May 11 · 24 min
The Canvas Breach: 275 Million People at Risk (with attorney Andy Liddell)
When parents log into Canvas, they expect homework assignments and grades — not ransom notes. In this urgent episode, I spoke with attorney Andrew Liddell about the massive alleged breach involving Instructure and its learning management platform, Canvas, reportedly affecting thousands of schools and millions of students, teachers, and college faculty worldwide. Here's a full list of the 8,000+ schools which were affected. Andy breaks down: What Canvas is and why it’s used in so many schools How enormous amounts of student data are collected and shared What allegedly happened in the breach Why hackers targeted this information What exposed school data could mean for families long-term Why schools are becoming “soft targets” for cyberattacks What parents should do right now if their child’s school uses Canvas The conversation also goes beyond this single breach and explores a larger question: Have schools quietly normalized mass surveillance of children through EdTech? Andy explains why privacy isn’t just about secrecy — it’s about childhood itself. “Privacy is the soil in which we grow.” This episode is essential listening for parents, teachers, school administrators, and anyone concerned about the growing role of Big Tech in education. Contact Andy's team at edtech.law to find out more about this lawsuit and others. Here's a direct link to their lawsuit against Instructure.
May 4 · 32 min
This Isn't a Parenting Problem (with Glen Pounder of Scouting America)
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 dangerous How exploitation actually happens, even in attentive households The hidden cost of shame, silence, and misplaced responsibility And why this is not a parenting failure—it’s a systems failure In 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
April 27 · 29 min
Does i-Ready Work? A Neuroscientist Weighs In (with Dr. Jared Cooney-Horvath)
In this eye-opening conversation, Nicki Petrossi sits down with neuroscientist Jared Cooney-Horvath to unpack the claims behind i-Ready—one of the most widely used EdTech tools in U.S. classrooms. What starts as a discussion of Nicki’s data privacy lawsuit quickly expands into a deeper investigation: does i-Ready actually help kids learn? Jared breaks down the startling lack of credible, peer-reviewed research supporting i-Ready’s effectiveness, explaining how most claims rely on weak comparisons or company-backed studies. He reveals why “time on task” can be misleading, how EdTech companies shape persuasive narratives without solid evidence, and why human-led instruction consistently outperforms digital tools when it comes to real learning. Together, they connect the dots between data privacy concerns and academic outcomes—arguing that if a product isn’t meaningfully improving learning, schools must question why it’s being used at all. The episode also explores the growing national momentum among parents, teachers, and districts pushing back on excessive screen time and demanding accountability from EdTech companies. If you’ve ever wondered what’s really behind the tools your child is required to use in school, this conversation gives you the data—and the questions—you need to start pushing for answers. Jared's Substack: i-Ready: 13 Million Students, Zero Meaningful Evidence Parent-Teacher i-Ready Resource
April 22 · 7 min
MINI EPISODE: LAUSD Passes Landmark School Screen Policy (with Lila Byock)
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 here Sign up at Schools Beyond Screens
April 6 · 17 min
I've sued i-Ready | Answering your questions (with attorney Andy Liddell)
So…I’ve sued another EdTech company. Here's a direct link to information on the lawsuit. This time, it’s Curriculum Associates — the multi-billion-dollar maker of i-Ready, used by more than 14 million children in grades K–8, including my own. In this episode, I break down why we’ve filed a lawsuit alleging that Curriculum Associates’ core business model depends on harvesting massive amounts of student data, monetizing it, and allegedly sharing children’s personal information with dozens of third parties for commercial purposes. We further allege the company builds deeply invasive psychological and behavioral profiles on students — profiles that can follow them and potentially harm them. I never consented to this. And neither did millions of parents. Sending our children to public school is a legal right. We should not have to expose them to commercial data trafficking just to get an education. With the average school district using thousands of EdTech tools each year — and each child accessing dozens — the question isn’t whether this is happening. The question is whether parents ever gave meaningful, informed consent. Joining me is Andy Liddell, attorney with the EdTech Law Center, to answer the questions flooding in from parents and teachers: What exactly are we alleging? What data is actually being collected? Is academic growth tracking the same as data mining? Can parents opt out? Is this a class action? What can teachers do? And what do we say to critics who claim this is just fear-mongering? If you’re a parent, teacher, or school leader, this conversation is one you cannot afford to miss. If you’re interested in learning more or potentially joining an EdTech-related lawsuit, visit: edtech.law. Because this isn’t just about i-Ready. It’s about whether our children’s data belongs to them — or to corporations.
March 27 · 39 min
[THE VERDICT] The Heat is On...Big Tech on Trial
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 means Whether an appeal is likely Why early bellwether cases often shape — but don’t decide — the larger war What happens next in the thousands of cases still moving forward Because 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 VERDICT META Was Meta negligent in the design or operation of Instagram? YES Was Meta’s negligence a substantial factor in causing harm to KGM? YES Did 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? YES‍ Did Meta know or should it reasonably have known that users would not realize the danger? YES Did Meta fail to adequately warn of the danger? YES Would 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? YES Was Meta's failure to adequately warn or instruct a substantial factor in causing harm to KGM? YES YOUTUBE Was YouTube negligent in the design or operation of YouTube? YES Was YouTube's negligence a substantial factor in causing harm to KGM? YES Did 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? YES‍ Did YouTube know or should it reasonably have known that users would not realize the danger? YES Did YouTube fail to adequately warn of the danger? YES Would 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? YES Was YouTube's failure to adequately warn or instruct a substantial factor in causing harm to KGM? YES ‍ THE DAMAGES A. What are KGM's damages? $3,000,000 B. What percentage of responsibility for K.G.M.’s harm do you assign to each of the following? 70% Meta 30% YouTube C. 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? YES D. 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? YES PUNITIVE DAMAGES: $3,000,000 ($2.1M to Meta, $900K to YouTube)
March 15 · 1 hr 4 min
[WEEK 7 RECAP] The Heat is On...Big Tech on Trial: Final Witnesses. Closings. Deliberations Begin.
This week on The Heat is On…Big Tech on Trial, we reached a turning point. After weeks of testimony, we heard from the final witnesses — including Meta’s paid medical expert, internal researchers, and YouTube leadership. New details emerged about deleted watch history data, internal warnings about teen risk, and what company executives knew about under-13 enforcement. Then came closing arguments. Mark Lanier argued that platform design targeted Kaley from a young age. Attorneys for Meta and YouTube pushed back, claiming there is no proven causal link between social media and mental health struggles, for Kaley or anyone else. Friday morning, the jury began deliberating. Now nine jurors must decide: Were these platforms negligently designed in ways that substantially contributed to Kaley’s anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts? Or not? We’re inside the courtroom translating what this case means for parents everywhere — because these trials aren't just about one child. It could shape the future of accountability for TikTok, YouTube, Meta, and Snap Inc.. Verdict watch has begun. 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.
March 8 · 1 hr 12 min
[WEEK 6 RECAP] The Heat is On...Big Tech on Trial: A Psychologist, A Whistleblower + Plaintiff Rests Their Case
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.
March 5 · 49 min
[BONUS EPISODE] The Heat is On...Big Tech on Trial: Meta Whistleblower Brian Boland
What really happens inside one of the most powerful companies in the world? This week, we sit down with Brian Boland, a former senior leader at Facebook (pre-Meta), who spent more than a decade helping build and scale Facebook and Instagram's advertising systems — and later testified in court about what he saw. Brian was in the courtroom for nearly five hours. In this candid conversation, he pulls back the curtain on: What it feels like to testify under oath against your former company How Meta’s internal culture shifted after whistleblowers like Frances Haugen spoke out The reality of Mark Zuckerberg’s power inside the company — and why the board can’t remove him How algorithms are built, tested, and optimized — and why even engineers don’t fully understand their long-term impacts Whether Meta is truly incentivized to limit teen usage The truth about ad revenue from minors How accurate age-estimation technology really is — and why that matters What whistleblowing actually costs the people who do it Brian doesn’t call for the end of social media. In fact, he believes these platforms could be built to strengthen communities. But he’s clear: the current incentives — profit, growth, daily active users — drive decisions that put engagement above safety. He also shares what he told executives, including Mark Zuckerberg, before he left — and the response he received. If you’ve ever wondered: Are these platforms intentionally habit-forming? Do they really know how young users are? Could they reduce harm if they wanted to? Why don’t more insiders speak out? This episode is essential listening. It’s a rare, inside look at how power, profit, algorithms, and accountability collide — and what it might actually take to force change. 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. Research mentioned in the episode: Social media platforms generate billions of dollars in revenue from U.S. youth: Findings from a simulated revenue model (Raffoul article)

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