Mothers Against Media Addiction

Who could have predicted that AI could cause massive harm to humans? Turns out, the tech companies themselves. Google ignored its own researchers who warned in April 2024 about AI chatbots targeting minors and driving vulnerable users to suicide. Rather than hitting pause and waiting to grow the product until safety measures were in place, Google instead raced ahead and invested $2.7 billion into Character.AI. Big Tech companies are fully aware of the risks that their products pose for kids, but they continue to prioritize profit over the safety and well-being of our children. They aren’t going to stop unless we make them. Join the fight at WeAreMAMA.org. https://lnkd.in/eQAX3jY5

In the spirit of “the more technology the better” schools for over a decade have been incorporating ed-tech and now AI into their curriculum. This is despite increasing evidence of the harms of excessive screen time for kids. Tech companies are pushing these products to schools because they make money by collecting kids' information and keeping them online for as long as possible to target ads at them. Schools largely ignore the problem. But now something finally happened that hopefully will give schools a pause. Parents recently sued PowerSchool - an ed-tech company - over a data breach of students' information. The judge's ruling on a motion to dismiss indicated that collecting and exploiting kids' information without parents notice or consent is plausibly a violation of privacy laws. Why does this preliminary decision matter? It matters because schools have not been paying attention. They have been incorporating one ed-tech program after another and now pivoting to AI. Schools do not seem to realize that doing so may violate privacy laws. While I am not a great believer in consent as a solution to data collection (after all, we consent all over the Internet), I do think that once schools must entertain the need to get parents' consent, they may finally pause; take stock; and re-assess. I also believe that any restriction on the collection of data makes the business model that uses our children’s time and data as a resource less lucrative and profitable for the tech industry. This matters a lot because use of screens in school trickles into the home and opens the door to a childhood of excessive screen time and related online harms. This is a preliminary decision, but an important step. Please pay attention. Thank you to Julie Liddell, Andrew Lidell, Gretchen Shanahan. Kim Whitman. Emily Cherkin, Amy Warren and everyone who worked on these lawsuits. For those interested in reading the legal decision it is below. https://lnkd.in/eeQRYm-C

?? Spring is officially here, and it’s the perfect time for a digital reset! Looking for simple ways to reset your family’s relationship with tech? Download MAMA’s free House Rules fridge poster for easy, practical steps to set healthy digital boundaries at home, such as: ? - No screens before breakfast - Tech-free time outdoors every day - No devices at the dinner table - A full 24-hour unplugged day once a month Get your copy now at?WeAreMAMA.org/resorce ?

Meta claims its recent flood of disturbing content was just an "error," but users say AI-generated shock videos and violent posts are still infiltrating their feeds and their children's feeds -- even with parental controls on. https://lnkd.in/eBu6kV94

Check out this great article by one of MAMA’s Seattle Chapter Leaders, Meghan Kaul, that makes the case for bringing back the landline to help kids build independence, stay connected, and delay smartphone reliance. Filled with lots of helpful tips! ??? https://lnkd.in/emWFeuTm

MAMA is in Austin for SXSW! Let us know if you're here -- we'd love to connect!

MAMA gathered this week with other advocates, educators, school staff, and healthcare workers in Melville for NYSUT’s Disconnected conference, diving into the urgent impact of cellphones and social media on learning. As New York considers a bell-to-bell cellphone ban in schools, we had powerful conversations about student well-being, digital addiction, and policies that put kids first. https://lnkd.in/esTE_Urd

Friendly reminder that tonight’s Expert Insights Series event with Jo Frost has been postponed due to a scheduling conflict. Stay tuned for updates!

MAMA was honored to be a part of NYSUT's Disconnected NY conference tour, supporting educators on the front lines of addressing the harmful consequences of cellphones, social media, and technology on our kids. ?? We heard from incredible panelists and had powerful conversations about the mental health effects of screen time, declining attention spans, and policies that help students thrive — because balancing digital and real-world learning has never been more important. A huge thank you to Sheetal Sheth, who represented MAMA as an ambassador at yesterday’s Long Island conference, and to Muna Heaven, who represented MAMA in Syracuse last week ?? MAMA team member Elizabeth Mitchell kicked things off last month in Plattsburgh. To the teachers, social workers, nurses, aides, principals, and other professionals who spend every day on the front lines doing what’s best for our kids—we see you, we appreciate you and we stand with you in putting kids before endless profits for tech companies! ?? Jamal Walcott, Principal Bayport-Blue Point High School w MAMA’s Fiona Zeman; Raj Goyle, founder Phone Free New York, with actress, author and MAMA Ambassador Sheetal Sheth; YONDR rep Kelvin Tirado shows off his MAMA cap; Muna Haven, child welfare attorney and MAMA Chapter Leader, MAMA Founder Julie Scelfo, Melinda Person, President, NYSUT, and Lonnie Threatte, Asst to the NYSUT President; Julie Scelfo w NYSUT’s TK;, Julie with NY State School Counselor Association President Lysa Mullady.

Georgia's House has passed HB 340, a bill requiring local school districts to ban student phones in schools at least through eighth grade, aiming to reduce distractions and cyberbullying in classrooms. The bill must pass the Senate before the legislative session ends on April 4 in order to potentially become law. https://lnkd.in/enBXEJba