Press Release
South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) has announced the second installment of its show, SCETV Safe Space, to highlight the role social media plays in today's teen culture. The conversational-style program bringing together teens and professionals to discuss issues facing South Carolina's youth will premiere on Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. on ETV-HD. Viewers can also watch the broadcast on the SCETV website, YouTube channel or Facebook. Additionally, SCETV Safe Space will re-air on ETV World on Sept. 30 at 10 p.m.
The award-winning SCETV Safe Space program will delve into the intricate relationship between teenagers and social media. Recent surveys have shown that 90 percent of teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 have used social media platforms. On average, teenagers spend nearly nine hours a day online, not including time dedicated to homework. These platforms provide unprecedented opportunities, but they can also have adverse effects on young minds. While they offer connectivity, self-expression and access to a wealth of information, they can also be a source of distraction, disrupt sleep patterns and expose young individuals to bullying and other online threats.
Entrepreneur and actor Brittney Brackett will serve as the guest host to facilitate the conversation featuring teens and professionals who each bring a unique perspective to the discussion. Author of My Safe Place a mindfulness activity book for kids, Brackett visits bookstores, churches and schools for sensory and mindfulness workshops to empower kids with affirmations. She is also a past correspondent for SCETV’S Palmetto Scene and host of the traveling South Carolina food show Backroad Bites, produced by SCETV Digital.
The panel welcomes a host of teens and knowledgeable experts, including Rep. Brandon Guffey, representing District 48 in the South Carolina House of Representatives. Rep. Guffey has dedicated himself to combating cybercrime, driven by the tragic loss of his son, Gavin, in 2022 due to sexual extortion. Joining him on the panel is Ka'Bria Drummond, a school-based mental health therapist at the South Carolina Department of Mental Health in Columbia. Additionally, Gabby Goodwin, the teenage CEO behind Confidence by Gabby Goodwin, will share insights. Goodwin boasts accolades such as the 2015 South Carolina Young Entrepreneur of the Year, the 2018 Black Enterprise Teenpreneur of the Year and the 2022 U.S. Small Business Administration Young Entrepreneur of the Year for South Carolina. Completing the panel are local business owners and students, bringing a diverse range of perspectives to the discussion.
The first installment of SCETV Safe Space was broadcast live last year and included open discussions around stigmas about mental health, rising suicide rates among youth and the additional resources needed to bring awareness to support programs. Viewers can watch a recording of the first installment of SCETV Safe Space on the SCETV website, YouTube channel or social medi
