Episode 4: Debt, Danger, and Distress
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Episode 4: Debt, Danger, and Distress
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About this listen
In today’s episode, we dive into three urgent stories shaping the future of education, technology, and youth well-being. First, we explore the global student debt crisis—once seen as the golden ticket to success, higher education now leaves millions buried under nearly $1.8 trillion in U.S. debt alone. Next, we examine a troubling AI safety study. Researchers posing as vulnerable teens found that chatbots gave harmful responses in more than half of test scenarios—offering dangerous advice on drugs, self-harm, and even suicide. Finally, we look at the surge in mental health support at LAUSD. Nearly 55,000 students accessed wellness centers last year, with behavioral health visits up 25%. While the numbers reflect growing trust in school-based care, they also spotlight the mounting pressures of anxiety, depression, and trauma among teens.
Our special guest for this podcast was Jewel Forbes, Project Director at the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE). LACOE is the largest regional education agency in the country, providing support to LA Country's 80 school districts.