Preventing social media harm with Michael (Wippa) Wipfli

In this episode of Untidy, Hannah and Matilda are joined by Michael (Wippa) Wipfli, the much-loved Australian radio presenter and co-host of the Fitzy, Wippa & Kate Ritchie breakfast show on Nova 96.9 Sydney. Wippa is the co-founder of 36 Months, a petition to raise the threshold for kids to legally join social media from 13 to 16 years of age in Australia.  Statistics show we are raising ‘the anxious generation’ with young people facing a ‘mental health epidemic’ attributed to the rise in social media usage. Wippa is determined to petition the Australian government to change policy and protect children from social media harm. He maintains that kids need that 36 months between 13 and 16 for crucial brain development to develop a greater sense of self and secure identity before being exposed to the ‘likes’, rankings, and addictive features social media use presents.  Wippa discussed conversations with Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and the leader of the opposition, Peter Dutton, who are verbally supportive of policy change. Matilda and Hannah asked what they could do to support the movement in New Zealand, and the great race to parliament began with a direct message to Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, to make policy changes to give the young people of Aotearoa better mental health outcomes.  Find Wippa’s 36 Months petition here and follow on Instagram  @36months.com.au and @wippa1. If you enjoy this episode of Untidy, please support the show by subscribing in your podcast app and tapping the ‘+ follow’ button. That way, you’ll never miss an episode. Help us to keep building this supportive community – subscribe, share an episode with a mate, and chuck us a 5-star review. Thank you for listening and supporting our independent production. Untidy is made for you – the people right at the heart of this steaming hot mess we call parenthood! Follow the show and DM us on Instagram @untidypodcast or email [email protected]. Your stories and ideas to help us shape the show! Find us online at Untidy podcast. Find Matilda at @matootles and get your copy of The Feel Good Guide. Find Hannah at @hannahedavison and her My Big Moments children’s books at @mybigmoments. Enter code UNTIDY at checkout for 10% off your order.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.