S6 Ep70: How Social Media Addiction is Harming Our Youth – A Conversation With Julie Scelfo Former NY Times Journalist and Founder of WeAreMama.org

Latinas From The Block To The Boardroom

In this urgent and deeply concerning conversation, host Theresa E. Gonzales sits down with former NY Times journalist, author, and activist Julie Scelfo. She is now the founder and executive director of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA).
Together, Julie and Theresa's combined knowledge of these social media platforms begin to pull back the curtain on the hidden harms of modern technology—particularly how unregulated social media platforms and AI-powered algorithms are targeting, addicting, and endangering children. Julie also discusses how she and Mothers Against Media Addiction, helped to create the first kids cell phone policy in NY schools, the "Bell To Bell" policy, which is the largest state legislation to help kids become more engaged in school and to limit phone screen time.
Julie brings to the table years of investigative reporting, alarming statistics (including a 92.3% increase in suicide among Hispanic children), and heartbreaking stories of young lives lost due to harmful content exposure online. She details how media addiction has been normalized, how schools are becoming battlegrounds for attention, and what it means to fight for systemic safeguards and legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). She has help create 35 chapters across 22 states in just over a year, which is a testament to wearemama.org, and how they are mobilizing parents across the country to reclaim control, and change the future of digital safety.
If you’re a parent, teacher, activist—or someone who simply cares about the next generation—this episode will give you the tools and awareness to act. Resources listed below.
If you enjoyed this episode and found it informative, you can support us by making a donation here . This helps us keep bringing you these amazing guests!
Episode 70 Resources:

• wearemama.org
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy's call for warning labels on social media platforms
• KOSA (Kids Online Safety Act)
• Social Media Victims Remembrance Day (June 23)
• Meta Gets Approval To Build 10 Billion Dollar Data Center In Louisiana Dec. 2024.

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