Australia's Social Media Ban: Are We Solving the WRONG Problem? (Part 1 of 2)

Australia's Social Media Ban: Are We Solving the WRONG Problem? (Part 1 of 2)

On December 10, 2025, Australia becomes the first country in the world to ban social media for under-16s, with tech companies facing fines up to $49.5 million. But groundbreaking research from UNSW reveals we might be solving the wrong problem when it comes to protecting children online.

In Part 1 of this two-part series, Dr. Mark Yeowell shares findings from his year-long study following 11-year-olds through their first smartphone ownership. What parents feared versus what actually happened will surprise you—and change how you think about digital parenting.

*WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER IN PART 1:*
→ Why the social media ban might be targeting the wrong threat
→ What parents feared most (predators, content, cyberbullying)
→ What actually happened in Mark's year-long research study
→ The real problem: time displacement, not online dangers
→ Why vulnerable groups (LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, rural kids) face unintended consequences
→ The young creator who's about to lose her mental health platform
→ How schools and communities can support families through this transition

*KEY RESEARCH FINDING:*
"I think probably the biggest question is what is the problem we're actually trying to solve? And I'm not sure that's being clearly defined." - Dr. Mark Yeowell

Parents in the study went in worried about online predators and inappropriate content. They came out battling something completely different: "Concern from parents about things that were not happening that were before, like reading, and playing with their siblings and going outside."

The real hack wasn't someone breaking into the phone—it was the phone breaking into childhood.

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*⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:*

0:00 - Introduction: Australia's Historic Social Media Ban
1:05 - What Problem Are We Actually Solving?
4:20 - The Vulnerable Groups We're Forgetting
5:00 - The 14-Year-Old Creator Losing Her Platform
6:00 - Understanding the Tech Company Responsibility
9:00 - Mark's Research: Following 11-Year-Olds for a Year
17:35 - The Study Methodology and Participants
18:25 - What Parents Expected vs. Reality
20:00 - The Biggest Problem: Time Displacement
21:00 - Short-Form Video and Text Message Overload
24:00 - "I Feel Addicted But Don't Know How to Stop" - Age 11
27:00 - Why This Isn't Just About Social Media
30:00 - The Role of Schools and Community Support
32:49 - Schools Have an Opportunity Here

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*🎯 TO BE CONTINUED...*
Part 2 drops THIS THURSDAY with practical solutions you can implement tonight, including:
✅ The ONE thing that makes the biggest difference (the bedroom rule)
✅ The "not yet" conversation framework
✅ How to assess if your child is ready for a smartphone
✅ Mark's personal experience with his own teenage sons
✅ Co-monitoring strategies that build trust, not surveillance

Subscribe and hit the bell so you don't miss Part 2!

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*ABOUT OUR GUEST:*

Dr. Mark Yeowell is a digital parenting researcher from UNSW and founder of Digital Tweens. His doctoral thesis examined the impact of initial smartphone ownership on 9-11 year olds, following families for over a year to understand real-world challenges. With a background as a teacher and school principal, Mark combines educational expertise with rigorous research to help parents navigate the digital landscape.

🌐 Digital Tweens: https://digitaltweens.com.au/
💼 Connect with Mark:   / mark-yeowell-31569b28  

*A huge thank you to Dr. Mark Yeowell for sharing his invaluable research and insights with us. His work is helping thousands of Australian families make informed decisions about technology and childhood. If you're a parent navigating these challenges, visit Digital Tweens for practical resources and support.*

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*ABOUT DUMB WAYS TO GET HACKED:*

We make cybersecurity accessible and entertaining. From digital parenting to business security, we break down complex threats into practical protection strategies. Because the best defence is knowing what you're actually defending against.

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*JOIN THE CONVERSATION:*
What's your biggest concern about Australia's social media ban? Are we solving the right problem? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

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#SocialMediaBan #DigitalParenting #AustraliaBan2025