We often hear the most extreme stories - eating disorders, overdoses, suicides – linked to social media.  But in reality, many kids are struggling in silence, even while appearing to be okay. Gabriela Nguyen, a recent Harvard graduate and founder of Appstinence, is working to shed light on this issue.  

Raised in the Silicon Valley during the rise of social media, Gabriela was hooked from a young age. Her father, shaped by his experiences during the Vietnam War, warned her of the power of media to manipulate and control. His words stuck – especially when he asked, “I understand that you want to take hundreds of selfies for Snapchat, but do you want to want that?  She soon realized how social media was distorting her sense of self.

It took six years to fully quit, a testament to how addictive these platforms are, but now she’s given up social media and doesn’t even use a smartphone.  Every part of her life has improved - and she wants others to know they can step away too.

Tune in as Nicki from Scrolling 2 Death and Gabriela discuss how Appstinence, a Gen Z–led initiative, is helping people understand the subtle harms of social media and how to take steps towards a healthier digital life.