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MAMA - Mothers Against Media Addiction

@_wearemama

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We’re a grassroots movement of parents fighting back against media addiction so real-life experiences remain the heart of a healthy childhood. Join us

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Seriously, @google?

According to a new report from The New York Times, Google will turn off AI tools for K–12 students early next year unless school administrators opt-in to keep them. But there’s a catch: schools that restrict AI entirely will automatically lose access to Google search.

Parents and educators rightly have been asking for more control over AI in classrooms. Tying a widely used research tool to acceptance of AI undermines child safety — and demonstrates why schools should never overly rely on any single tech company.

This ultimatum shows how little Google actually cares about child safety and learning. If they want to go down this road, schools need to start thinking now about ditching Google for alternative web browsers that protect privacy, don’t track user activity and don’t prioritize AI over our kids’ well-being. by @_wearemama

📣 Chatbots can no longer impersonate humans when they’re interacting with kids in New York!

New York @govkathyhochul signed two bills that will address safety concerns for children of all ages. The first establishes a nation-leading standard in protecting anyone under age 18 from the most dangerous features of AI chatbots by prohibiting sexually-explicit content and the promotion of suicide, self harm, eating disorders and drug or alchohol use. The bill was sponsored by state @sengonzalezny and Assemblymember @alexbores, who recently spoke at MAMA’s Fall Benefit.

The second bill requires warning labels and built-in safety features on internet-connected baby monitors to ensure hackers cannot access the digital audio and video feeds.

By enacting this legislation, Governor Hochul — who recently won MAMA’s Defender of Children Award — has put Big Tech on notice: children’s basic safety will NOT be sacrificed for corporate profit. We are grateful to the Governor for listening to the MAMA members all over New York who advocated diligently for these critical protections for children. 👏👏 by @_wearemama

The scariest things in childhood shouldn’t be products marketed to kids. 👻

Addictive algorithms. AI “friends.” Tech companies treating children’s attention, relationships, and insecurities as opportunities for profit.

Parents shouldn’t have to navigate a haunted house of hidden risks just to let their kids learn, play, and connect. And protecting children shouldn’t be an optional setting.

At MAMA, we’re organizing to hold Big Tech accountable and protect what childhood needs: real connection, room to imagine, and freedom to grow.

Join us at wearemama.org by @_wearemama

Nothing says confidence in your products like wanting less of them in your own child’s classroom. 👀

According to a new report in The Guardian, Silicon Valley parents, including tech workers, are choosing screen-free private schools and pushing public schools to reduce classroom technology. Experts warn that children in underfunded districts could be left with more screens and less human connection.

All children deserve conversation, creativity, hands-on learning, and teachers who have the time and resources to connect with them.

Want more say in your child’s school day? Join MAMA and explore our new Parents Guide to Ed Tech for know what questions you should be asking. Visit wearemama.org/resource by @_wearemama

A victory for childhood in Pennsylvania! 🎉

Governor Josh Shapiro has signed bipartisan legislation establishing bell-to-bell phone-free schools, giving students more time to learn, build friendships, and connect with the world around them.

Beginning in the 2027–2028 school year, students’ phones will be put away throughout the school day — including lunch and recess — with exceptions for medical needs and required educational accommodations.

Hearty thank yous to Governor @joshshapiropa, the bipartisan lawmakers who advanced this legislation, and the parents, educators, and advocates who worked tirelessly to make this victory possible. We are especially grateful for the leadership shown by MAMA’s Chapter leaders in Mt. Lebanon @kristinesorensengriffin and Jane Casella, Philadelphia @abirdbecker and Pittsburgh @csmwalsh, @klucks26 and @kristenbeddard.

Every child deserves a school day free from the pull of digital distractions and addictive technology design. Let’s keep this movement growing! 💪 by @_wearemama

What a night! The MAMA community came together at @48WallSt this week and we’re still celebrating!

To special guests who joined us, you turned a single evening into a moment for the movement: MAMA Advisor Andrew Postman, son of Neil Postman, fashion designer @ullajohnson, @Bluenote recording artist @officialmeshell, cultural steward @yahdonisrael, Assemblymember @AlexBores, actor and child champion @beneaththesheetz, @halfthestory founder @livinlikeliarz, author and surgeon @drdanasuskind, entrepreneur and women’s advocate @deepoku, yoga teacher @HeidiKristoffer, public health leader @drchethansathya, @theMatthewRhys, and NM Attorney General @RaulToreznm.

This magical night came to life because of the people behind it ✨💛

Deepest thanks again to our incredible host committee and to our sponsors @48wallst, @mmeink, @brock_recovery_group, @incendiilaw, @theavantski, and Keyphone. Gratitude, too, to @stemmefatale and @theroundsnyc for making every detail beautiful.

Pro photos by @mtcphotography via @gettyimages
Bonus BTS photos by our team 1, 2, 3, 4 , 7, 8, 10, 18 by @_wearemama

Parents, community leaders, and advocates came together at @48wallst on Tuesday evening for MAMA’s Fall Benefit to defend childhood and ensure that all kids are protected from the harms of addictive tech, while raising critical funds to scale our movement.

Guests enjoyed a delightful evening of jazz tunes, cocktails, canapes, enchanting florals by @stemmefatale and delectable savory cookies by @theroundsnyc, while sharing their work and exploring an assortment of smartphone substitutes, such as event sponsor Keyphone, at an alternative device showcase.

Actress, author and child champion, Sheetal Sheth @beneaththesheetz emceed an incredible program featuring Assemblymember @AlexBores, the New York legislator leading the charge on strict AI safety legislation and Larz May @livinlikeliarz, youth advocate and founder of @HalfTheStory and @HeyGinko. A powerful keynote by @drdanasuskind, pediatric surgeon and author of Human Raised, addressed the defining issue of this moment: how we can protect childhood in the age of AI. @deepoku, founder and CEO of @TheWieSuite, touched on her experience as a mother, reminding us why all children deserve to be protected, while MAMA Founder and Executive Director, @JulieScelfo, shared the major impact we’ve made this year at both the state and national levels.

MAMA’s inaugural Chapter Leader In Action Award was given to South Carolina Leader @kimbocarolina, Harlem Leader @munaheaven and Conejo Valley Leader @healthier.tech for their extraordinary leadership advancing MAMA’s mission to protect childhood. New Mexico’s 32nd Attorney General @raultorreznm received MAMA’s 2026 Guardian Award for outstanding service in advancing Big Tech accountability. The 57th Governor of NY State @govkathyhochul, won MAMA’s Defender of Children Award, for exceptional leadership in safeguarding technology to protect youth.

A huge thank you to our entire host committee, event sponsors @48wallst, @mmeink, @brock_recovery_group, @incendiilaw, @theavantski, special guests, and all who contributed to such a powerful night!

📸 by @mtcphotography for @gettyimages by @_wearemama

Another major victory for Big Tech accountability came yesterday in New Mexico. 🎉

A judge has ordered Meta to pay $25 billion after a jury found the company responsible for *43 million* violations of state consumer protection law tied to the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The ruling comes after New Mexico secured a $375 million penalty and a separate $567 million award against Meta earlier this year in a case involving the platform’s harm to children.

These victories reflect the tireless work of New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, who has been leading the charge to hold Meta accountable for putting its profits ahead of people, and especially children.

We applaud Attorney General Torrez @raultorreznm
@nmdoj for his leadership and commitment to protecting families and demanding accountability from Big Tech.

For too long, tech companies have been allowed to exploit personal data, endanger children, and evade responsibility for the harm caused by algorithmic design. New Mexico is showing that these companies are not above the law, and that, in the absence of federal standards, state law enforcement will protect our kids.

@governors_nga by @_wearemama

Looks like Big Tech is following the Big Tobacco playbook yet again.

M*ta just released a personal AI agent named Muse, which has an adorable design and a friendly face. But just because powerful technology got a cute makeover so it feels harmless and irresistible, the risks to kids haven’t disappeared.

Children shouldn’t rely on AI products to problem-solve, imagine, and build relationships. While Muse may carry an 18+ label, its toy-like design suggests M*ta knows EXACTLY who this aesthetic will appeal to.

Making AI seem cute and kid-friendly risks normalizing dependence on technology — while drawing young people closer to chatbots and an online world that still lacks adequate safeguards for children.

Trust us: kids don’t need AI companions disguised as toys. by @_wearemama

Last fall’s benefit was one of our favorite nights ever. Next Tuesday, we’re running it all back with a star line up and a room full of parents and allies who refuse to hand childhood over to Big Tech.

Tickets are going fast, so don’t sleep on this one.

Tuesday, October 20
48 Wall Street, NYC
Reception: 6pm | Program: 7pm

Tickets: wearemama.org by @_wearemama

MAMA Founder Julie Scelfo spoke and rallied alongside workers and advocates outside City Hall Thursday in support of the POWER Act, which would expand New York City’s protections against unfair business practices. The legislation would also give New Yorkers new avenues to file lawsuits against companies, including Big Tech, when they cause harm and abuse.

“If a company designs a toy that can cause physical harm to a child – even accidentally – no one would argue about whether that company should be held accountable. The same should be true for the mental and emotional harm that social media companies are inflicting on children – often intentionally, and knowingly — in an effort to monopolize kids’ attention and boost corporate revenues,” Julie said. by @_wearemama

Aaron Sorkin’s new film, the legal thriller The Social Reckoning, dramatizes the decision by real-life data engineer & former Facebo*k employee Frances Haugen, to become a whistleblower and reveal her employer’s horrific prioritization of profits over people to investigative journalist Jeff Horowitz at the @wsj. Our founder, @juliescelfo, who was also a journalist (former @nytimes), sat down with Frances at a @sonypictures screening earlier this month to discuss the difficult choices the engineer faced, the reasons she decided to speak out, and the challenge still in front of us all today: demanding that lawmakers require tech products to be safe by design just like all other consumer products.

Thanks to @frances.haugen for your bravery and standing up for all our children, and to @sonypictures for inviting MAMA and Julie to be part of the film’s early release. @thesocialreckoning is in theaters nationwide now and not to be missed.

#kidsbeforetech
#thesocialreckoning
#wearemama
#aaronsorkin
#franceshaugen
#teamhuman by @_wearemama