This week, Australia made global headlines — and parents everywhere felt it. Justin shares the emotional, history-making moment inside Kirribilli House as the new social-media age laws rolled out, the families whose stories shaped the legislation, and why this shift matters more than most people realise. Plus: the behind-the-scenes chaos of a family holiday that turned into a resilience masterclass. A powerful mix of emotion, insight, and laugh-so-you-don’t-cry parenting moments.

KEY POINTS
Inside the Kirribilli House event announcing Australia’s new age restrictions for social media.
The heartbreaking parent stories that pushed lawmakers to act — and why the room was filled with tears.
A rare moment of political unity that left Justin with goosebumps.
What this new law actually means for teens, parents, and tech platforms in the months ahead.
A family holiday disaster (expired passports, food poisoning, meltdowns, gale-force winds)… turned into a resilience-building win.
Why doing hard, screen-free things is the secret ingredient to family connection.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

"This isn’t about politics. This is about our kids." — Prime Minister Albanese

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Heads Up Alliance
Let Them Be Kids campaign
Go Rail Trail (Queenstown)

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Talk to your teen about Australia’s new age rules and what they mean for your family.
Watch how platforms respond over the next few months — enforcement will evolve.
Create screen-incompatible moments: activities that pull kids away from devices naturally.
Normalise hard things — help your kids practise choosing helpful thoughts when challenges arise.

Lean into connection: shared struggle (and shared laughter) builds family closeness faster than comfort ever will.

This week, Australia made global headlines &mdash; and parents everywhere felt it. Justin shares the emotional, history-making moment inside Kirribilli House as the new social-media age laws rolled out, the families whose stories shaped the legislation, and why this shift matters more than most people realise. Plus: the behind-the-scenes chaos of a family holiday that turned into a resilience masterclass. A powerful mix of emotion, insight, and laugh-so-you-don&rsquo;t-cry parenting moments.
KEY POINTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Inside the Kirribilli House event announcing Australia&rsquo;s new age restrictions for social media.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The heartbreaking parent stories that pushed lawmakers to act &mdash; and why the room was filled with tears.</li>
<li aria-level="1">A rare moment of political unity that left Justin with goosebumps.</li>
<li aria-level="1">What this new law actually means for teens, parents, and tech platforms in the months ahead.</li>
<li aria-level="1">A family holiday disaster (expired passports, food poisoning, meltdowns, gale-force winds)&hellip; turned into a resilience-building win.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why doing hard, screen-free things is the secret ingredient to family connection.</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
"This isn&rsquo;t about politics. This is about our kids." &mdash; Prime Minister Albanese
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Heads Up Alliance</li>
<li aria-level="1">Let Them Be Kids campaign</li>
<li aria-level="1">Go Rail Trail (Queenstown)</li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Talk to your teen about Australia&rsquo;s new age rules and what they mean for your family.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Watch how platforms respond over the next few months &mdash; enforcement will evolve.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Create screen-incompatible moments: activities that pull kids away from devices naturally.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Normalise hard things &mdash; help your kids practise choosing helpful thoughts when challenges arise.</li>
</ol>
Lean into connection: shared struggle (and shared laughter) builds family closeness faster than comfort ever will.

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Raising Kids in a Post-Social-Media World

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/3dab5f4a-8ccc-4c40-a4d0-b3a200d1c7f2/transcript

Advertisement