If you asked a kid 20 years ago, what do you want to be when you grow up?

It was, I want to be a fireman, I want to be an astronaut, I want to be a nurse.

If you ask the average kid now what they want to be, they want to be influencers.

They want to be famous on social media.

Over the last few decades, we've seen social media's potential for good,

bringing communities together, fostering innovative new ideas,

and transforming our access to information.

But we've also seen its dark side, addiction, violence, depression, and loneliness.

Typically, most other platforms will simply drive you down whatever is the most engaging.

So if you're watching violent content all day,

you're just going to get more and more and more of that violent content.

They're never going to try to interrupt that behavior.

What roles should social media play in our lives?

Should tech companies have societal responsibilities?

And what does a positive alternative look like?

In this episode, I sit down with tech entrepreneur Nick Jinnicki.

He's the director of media relations for Gunging World,

a new family-friendly and g-rated digital platform.

This is American Thought Leaders, and I'm Janja Kellek.

Nick Jinnicki, such a pleasure to have you on American Thought Leaders.

It's a pleasure to be here. Thank you so much.

So Nick, first of all, congratulations on the grand opening of Gunging World here in Middletown,

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