SCREENS ARE STEALING A GENERATION’S JOY & WELL-BEING
We are fighting back.

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Our Kids’ Lives Are on the Line

the number of notifications most teens receive on their phone per day.
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of teens reported first seeing pornography at age 10 or younger.
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million youth are currently experiencing severe major depression.
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of teens ages 13 to 17 use social media, with more than 1 in 3 reporting that they use it almost constantly.
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hours a day of social media use is enough to double the risk for teens of experiencing poor mental health outcomes.
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cause of death for children ages 10 to 14 is suicide, outpacing the mortality rates from every type of cancer combined.
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seconds is the average adult attention span on a screen. That’s down from 2.5 minutes in 2004.
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minutes is the length of time it takes for children to refocus on a task after attention is diverted.
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saw the largest-ever decline in U.S. teens’ reading and math scores.
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number of teen girls who seriously consider attempting suicide – up nearly 60% from a decade ago.
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We Are MAMA

If you’re a parent, you’ve been stuck between an industry making billions through addictive design and a pro-tech society that values speed and profit above all else.

MAMA is a grassroots movement of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other allies standing up against media addiction. We’re taking action because we believe that real-life experiences and interactions belong at the heart of a healthy childhood.

Get Involved

A Movement for Parents, 
Founded by Parents

Like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, we are standing up to a massive public health threat and making change in our homes, our communities and across the nation. Founded by Julie Scelfo, a former New York Times staff writer, media ecologist, and mother of three, MAMA is bringing parents and allies together, from across the country and all walks of life, who see the effects social media and other addictive technologies are having on children.

“A mother’s love for her child... knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.”

—Agatha Christie

What Parents Are Saying

“Just like mothers helped dismantle the gun lobby, they also must fight back against a special interest that is cravenly exploiting and endangering children for their own financial gain. The work that MAMA is doing to protect our children's emotional and mental health is imperative.”
Shannonwatts (1)
Shannon WattsHost of Firestarters podcast, mother of five, Founder of Moms Demand Action
“The Internet gives kids constant access to the whole world, including hate, violence and stress. It was a mistake to let tech companies access our children before their products were made safe. Everyone, everywhere, needs to push back, now. Our children are counting on us to protect them. Isn’t that what parents do?”
Brandon Guffey
SC State Rep. Brandon GuffeyFather of 3 including son Gavin, forever 17, who died after being sextorted
“Those of us who are parents see the deleterious impact excessive device usage and social media is having on young people. Algorithms are literally thinking for us and pushing us to extremes without us even knowing it. MAMA is doing urgent work to try to ensure that our kids can grow up safely and be truly connected to their fellow humans. It is human connection that is key to our thriving and having sound mental health.”
20220110 lisaling (1)
Lisa LingJournalist, author, mom of two
“After the ‘wait until eighth’ pledge and watching The Social Dilemma, there were no other resources for our family to make informed media choices. I’m so grateful MAMA is making sure families everywhere get the practical steps, tools and education we all need.”
Alysiareiner
Alysia ReinerActress and mom, MAMA member, NYC
“I've been in the 'digital wellness' and 'kids vs. screens advocacy' world for over a decade. I've listened to all the experts but the first time I listened to Julie it sent an electric shock through my body. YES. THIS. FINALLY.”
Jessicaelefante.lookingawayoption (1)
Jessica ElefanteMom to kids ages 12, 2, Penguin/Random House author, MAMA chapter leader
“My kids don’t have social media accounts but it creeps into their lives anyway through friends and even school work. Thank goodness for MAMA. Now I feel like I’m not fighting this on my own.”
Jocogan
Jo CoganJo Cogan, Mom to kids ages 16, 15, 13, 11, MAMA member, NYC
“Social media is causing a serious mental health crisis in our youth and thankfully MAMA is giving parents the opportunity to start protecting our kids and stand up to big tech companies!”
Juliettedecarlo
Juliette DeCarloMom to kids ages 10, 12, MAMA member, NYC
“As parents to a beautiful 14 year-old daughter, who lost her life to suicide, we both feel MAMA is urgently needed to educate and protect families from social media harms. We don't want any other family to experience the pain that we go through every day.”
Roberts.toneybrandy.together
Brandy & Toney RobertsParents of Englyn, forever 14, MAMA members, LA
“I was stunned to learn the shocking evidence of ‘big media’’s cold indifference to innocent kids’ wellbeing. MAMA is precisely what is needed to fight for the safety and rights of our children, and of our society, frankly.”
Mamacircle
StacyMom to kids ages 4 and 7, VP of Communications at a major national Foundation, MAMA member, NYC
“Parents raising children in today’s online world desperately need a place to find a supportive community with other like-minded parents to learn how to best protect their children from the multitude of online harms, dangers and addictions. I am thankful to Julie Scelfo for founding MAMA (Mothers Against Media Addiction) so that the next generation of parents can be stay informed on how to raise healthy children in this challenging world.”
Krisitin
Kristin BrideMother of Carson, forever 16, MAMA member, AZ

If you or someone you 
love is having a mental health crisis:

Dial 988

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. For crisis chat services or more information visit 988lifeline.org.

Text SAVE to 741741

The Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

Important Note

As an organization of parents, MAMA is unable to make treatment referrals and is not qualified to diagnose or give any type of medical advice. For assistance with clinical disorders, we encourage you to reach out to your local care provider.

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information contained on this website, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If your child is experiencing negative consequences of problematic media and technology use, we encourage you to speak with your pediatrician.