The new social media minimum-age laws have landed — and parents are feeling everything from relief to rage. Eight weeks in, are our kids safer… or has nothing changed? In this episode, Justin Coulson unpacks what’s working, what’s failing, and the 3 essential things families must do now to navigate the digital world without losing connection.

KEY POINTS

• Why the ban isn’t about cutting friendships — it’s about removing algorithmic manipulation from kids’ brains
• What big tech didn’t see coming (and why they’re closing youth accounts fast)
• The unexpected wins for kids: less anxiety, more freedom, real play
• The losses: platform migration, VPNs, fake ages, and parent-enabled workarounds
• Why this is a parent problem, not just a kid problem
• The 3 actions every family needs to take now

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“We’re not banning friendships. We’re protecting kids from big tech systems designed to manipulate their brains.”

 RESOURCES

• GMee Phone (parental control phone)
• Rebecca Sparrow's free resource for parents: Beginner phones
• Landline/feature phones as alternative communication strategies
• Face-to-face play and offline gaming suggestions

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

1. Have the WHY conversation — Kids don’t comply with “because I said so.” Explain algorithms, manipulation, and wellbeing.
   2. Offer real alternatives — Phones without cameras, offline gaming, playdates, landlines, outdoor time.
   3. Model digital discipline — If parents doom-scroll, kids will too. Show healthy device habits.

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE IF:

• You’re confused or frustrated by the social media ban
• Your child is begging for social media access
• You want safer digital habits without isolating kids
• You want less anxiety, more connection, and more play