Ep.48 - Nicki Reisberg on The Hidden Dangers of Social Media for Kids | Digital Safety | Parental Advocacy | Ed Tech Harms| Screen Time Awareness

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In this episode of the Virtuous Leaders Podcast, Dr. Johann D'Souza engages in an enlightening conversation with Nicki Reisberg, a former social media manager turned digital safety advocate.

Key Discussion Points:

• Nicki's transition from being a social media manager to a digital safety advocate after researching the harmful effects of social media on children

• The importance of delaying access to smartphones and social media for as long as possible, and choosing safer devices for children

• Nicki's personal policy of no individual devices for her young children, focusing on a "tech together" approach and monitoring their screen time

• The concerning situation of school-issued technology exposing children to inappropriate content and the need for parents to advocate for safer tech use in schools

• The biased research funded by EdTech companies and the negative impact of one-to-one devices on children's learning, mental health, and well-being

• The importance of open communication and building a relationship with children so they feel comfortable coming to parents when they encounter harmful content online

• The emerging threat of AI chatbots and the need for parents to educate themselves and monitor their children's interactions with these platforms

• The potential for change through lawsuits, legislation, and public awareness, as well as the hope that the generation growing up with these devices will make safer choices for their own children

Timestamp:

00:12 - Discussing Nicki's journey from being a social media manager to a digital safety advocate

02:49 - Exploring the definition of social media and the dangers of platforms like YouTube for children

05:11 - Addressing the concern of social isolation when children are kept off social media

07:26 - Examining the role of maternal anxiety and paternal passivity in giving children access to smartphones and social media

09:30 - Discussing the link between social media use and the alarming rates of depression, self-harm, and suicide among teenagers

11:44 - Exploring the importance of allowing children to develop independence without devices and the movement towards independent play 14:49 - Discussing the challenges of persuading parents to delay their children's access to social media and smartphones

17:03 - Sharing Nicki's personal policy of no individual devices for her young children and the "tech together" approach

19:03 - Recounting the disturbing incident of Nicki's daughter being served a pro-self-harm video on her school-issued iPad

21:59 - Examining the disconnect between the decision-makers promoting one-to-one devices and the reality of their impact on children 23:01 - Discussing Nicki's decision to restructure her life to fight against the harmful effects of technology on children

26:27 - Comparing the pros and cons of various safer phone options for children, such as Gab Phone, Wise Phone, and Bark Phone

29:14 - Addressing the argument of using parental controls on iPhones and the limitations of these measures

31:33 - Exploring the emerging threat of AI chatbots and the need for parents to educate themselves and monitor their children's interactions

33:00 - Discussing the optimistic developments of parents advocating for safer technology use in schools and the importance of continuing the conversation

Resources and Links:

• Watch this episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Listen to this episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Dr. Johann D'Souza

Clinical Psychologist

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Values First Therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X(Twitter)⁠⁠

Nicki Reisberg

Digital Safety Advocate and Founder of.css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}