Is social media just entertainment, or a risky behavior we’ve failed to regulate?

In this episode, Siara speaks with Bailey Parnell, founder of the Center for Digital Wellbeing and the voice behind the viral TED Talk on social media and mental health. They unpack the emotional and societal toll of the internet, from algorithmic manipulation to the erosion of empathy in comment sections.

Bailey explains why digital wellness goes far beyond screen time and how we can reclaim agency in a world designed to hijack our attention. The conversation spans everything from AI ethics and the illusion of privacy to policy solutions and spiritual antidotes for digital overwhelm.

Key topics include:

• Why social media should be treated like a risky behavior
• How to outsmart the algorithm and curate your feed with intention
• The role of AI in soft skill development and mental health support
• How digital habits affect relationships, attention, and self-worth
• What a wellness-focused algorithm could actually look like

⚠️ Heads up: brief mention of self-harm between 30:10-40:10 minute mark.

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