One Young Mind

How Australia Changed the Rules on Social Media with Greg Atwells and Michael “Wippa” Wipfli

15 Dec 2025

Audio

Description

In this special episode of One Young Mind, we speak with Greg Atwells and Michael “Wippa” Wipfli, two of the dads behind 36 Months, the movement that helped Australia introduce a world-first minimum age for social media. Recorded just after Australia’s under-16 law came into force, this conversation explores how a simple question, “What if no one was on it?”, sparked a national shift, and what New Zealand parents and policymakers can learn from it. Greg and Wippa share what it took to turn parental concern into political action, how social norms rather than perfect enforcement drive lasting change, and why this moment matters far beyond Australia. They also speak candidly about parenting through the transition. The grief some young people feel when social media is removed. The relief many parents experience. And the opportunity this creates to reclaim real-world independence, boredom, creativity and connection. This is a hopeful, practical conversation about courage, leadership and why protecting children online should not rest on parents’ shoulders alone. In this episode, we discuss: How the 36 Months campaign began and why parents felt “damned if they do, damned if they don’t” What changed once social media access became a legal issue rather than a parenting battle Why age limits are about social norming, not punishment How Australia moved quickly and what New Zealand can learn from that Why tech companies can enforce age limits despite what they claim Supporting children through the transition off social media Practical ideas for parents navigating the off-social phase together This episode is essential listening for parents, educators and anyone interested in how evidence, public will and leadership can come together to protect young minds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcription

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Help us prioritize this episode for transcription by upvoting it.

0 upvotes

🗳️ Sign in to Upvote

Popular episodes get transcribed faster

Other recent transcribed episodes

Transcribed and ready to explore now

13:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

10:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

12:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

2ª PARTE | 06 ENE 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

01 Jan 1970

El Partidazo de COPE

3ª PARTE | 22 ENE 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

01 Jan 1970

El Partidazo de COPE

3ª PARTE | 04 MAR 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

01 Jan 1970

El Partidazo de COPE

Comments

There are no comments yet.

Please log in to write the first comment.

Report any issue

One Young Mind

How Australia Changed the Rules on Social Media with Greg Atwells and Michael “Wippa” Wipfli

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other recent transcribed episodes

13:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

10:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

12:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

2ª PARTE | 06 ENE 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

3ª PARTE | 22 ENE 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

3ª PARTE | 04 MAR 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

Sign in to Audioscrape

Share this moment