Below are the reflections of Tracy Foster, co-founder and Executive Director of Screen Sanity, after attending The Lost Screen Memorial, an installation and memorial honoring the lives of fifty children lost to the dangers of social media.
Last week, I had the profound honor of representing Screen Sanity at the unveiling of the Lost Screen Memorial in New York City, a powerful tribute created by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s nonprofit organization, The Archewell Foundation, and its courageous Parents’ Network. I’m still processing the experience…
Fifty illuminated lock screens.
Fifty beautiful children, ages 11 to 19, lost to the harms of social media.
Fifty families, bravely sharing their stories so that no other family has to endure what they have.
Their children died in ways that no parent should have to imagine: from a viral “pass-out” challenge, a person on Snapchat offering to help reduce anxiety with a single Xanax…that was actually laced with fentanyl, relentless cyberbullying, or the slow erosion of mental health worsened by self-harm content fed to them through algorithms.
As I stood in front of these glowing portraits, not just images, but memories shared by grieving parents and siblings, I was struck by the gravity of this moment. These families are turning unspeakable tragedy into an unignorable call for change. Their courage demands our action.
At Screen Sanity, we are deeply committed to amplifying their voices. We were honored to be a part of this initiative, and we stand in full support of the No Child Lost to Social Media campaign calling for safer platforms, trauma-informed education, and shared strength for parents navigating this complex digital world.
To all parents:
If this feels heavy, you’re not alone.
If you’re struggling with when or how to let your child use social media, you are not alone.
And if you feel overwhelmed by the risks, we are here to help you feel more equipped — not more afraid.
Let’s turn heartbreak into hope.
Let’s talk to our kids. Let’s advocate for safer design.
Let’s read even just one of these stories — and let it move us to act.
Explore the digital memorial.
And if you need community or resources, we’re here.
