Julie Scelfo

Julie Scelfo is Founder and Executive Director of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA), a grassroots movement of parents fighting back against media addiction and creating a world in which real-life experiences and interactions remain at the heart of a healthy childhood. She is an award-winning journalist, a former New York Times staff writer, a media ecologist, and a parent. Scelfo was moved to start MAMA after learning that suicide is now the number two cause of death for U.S. 10 year-olds, and recognizing how a multitude of factors — including screen addiction and absent regulations — has created an unhealthy, unsafe media environment. Since its launch last year, Scelfo has helped MAMA establish 35 chapters across 22 states, with its initial advocacy wins including the passage of nation-leading online safety legislation in New York. In addition to her MAMA advocacy, Scelfo is the author of The Women Who Made New York, (Seal Press/Hachette), an inclusive collection of biographies revealing how it was women—and not just men—who built one of the world’s greatest cities. She is a frequent public speaker who has made numerous appearances on television, radio and podcasts, and invites you to join her coalition at JoinMAMA.org.