The social media age ban is coming - and parents everywhere are freaking out. But here’s the truth: this isn’t the end of your child’s world. It’s a chance to reshape it. Justin and Kylie share five practical ways to help your teen navigate life beyond the screen - from rebuilding real-world friendships to resetting your family’s digital habits.

KEY POINTS:


Why banning social media isn’t enough — and what families can do instead


How to start calm, open conversations with your teen about the changes


The surprising benefits of going “old school” (yes, landlines are back!)


Why parents need to reconnect with their kids’ social circles


The power of modelling healthy tech boundaries as adults

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:

“If all we do is say ‘you can’t have this thing,’ something else will fill the void.” — Dr. Justin Coulson

RESOURCES MENTIONED:


The Parenting Revolution by Dr. Justin Coulson


The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt


Pediatric Research, July 2025: “Navigating Youth, Smartphones, and Policy”

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:


Start the conversation early - ask how your teen feels about the change.


Help them reconnect offline: swap phone numbers, plan hangouts, build community.


Fade out (or cut off) social media together - in solidarity.


Model it. Set your own tech boundaries.


Make it positive - this is an opportunity, not a punishment.

The social media age ban is coming - and parents everywhere are freaking out. But here&rsquo;s the truth: this isn&rsquo;t the end of your child&rsquo;s world. It&rsquo;s a chance to reshape it. Justin and Kylie share five practical ways to help your teen navigate life beyond the screen - from rebuilding real-world friendships to resetting your family&rsquo;s digital habits.
KEY POINTS:
<ul data-start="644" data-end="999">
<li data-start="644" data-end="720">
Why banning social media isn&rsquo;t enough &mdash; and what families can do instead
</li>
<li data-start="721" data-end="795">
How to start calm, open conversations with your teen about the changes
</li>
<li data-start="796" data-end="872">
The surprising benefits of going &ldquo;old school&rdquo; (yes, landlines are back!)
</li>
<li data-start="873" data-end="938">
Why parents need to reconnect with their kids&rsquo; social circles
</li>
<li data-start="939" data-end="999">
The power of modelling healthy tech boundaries as adults
</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
&ldquo;If all we do is say &lsquo;you can&rsquo;t have this thing,&rsquo; something else will fill the void.&rdquo; &mdash; Dr. Justin Coulson
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
<ul data-start="1174" data-end="1352">
<li data-start="1174" data-end="1226">
<a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/shop/product/the-parenting-revolution">The Parenting Revolution</a> by Dr. Justin Coulson
</li>
<li data-start="1227" data-end="1273">
<a href="https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&amp;ai=DChsSEwixnIe8uNmQAxWvo2YCHa5hJoUYACICCAEQBxoCc20&amp;co=1&amp;ase=2&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiA5abIBhCaARIsAM3-zFVaog2P-uhiRr51dTLqw-wDMRMPD-PyAvGO1CLbq-iAtQN6XXeVTyMaAqgaEALw_wcB&amp;ei=Q3AKaaK2GNC-seMP8ObjiAE&amp;cid=CAASZeRoQ2MsS92l5IcPTkfqtaU5y1UxwrT8onKeVIf86Q86yqlIRetbfLJRxaQnZDOObTi2s2oEg4X3uo3mpEYkWh4cysNZAnEzQm0GDTr7YGmeWjH5WXa2FOBfhuuDGUK0o-W2WScT&amp;cce=2&amp;category=acrcp_v1_32&amp;sig=AOD64_0M1nITCU0kMdzk0R0z9OIYxO-s3A&amp;q&amp;sqi=2&amp;nis=4&amp;adurl&amp;ved=2ahUKEwji44G8uNmQAxVQX2wGHXDzGBEQ0Qx6BAhFEAE">The Anxious Generation</a> by Jonathan Haidt
</li>
<li data-start="1274" data-end="1352">
Pediatric Research, July 2025: &ldquo;<a href="https://apple.news/Aw5Az3NvhTt-jLF-rn1vyZA">Navigating Youth, Smartphones, and Policy</a>&rdquo;
</li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:
<ol data-start="1390" data-end="1730">
<li data-start="1390" data-end="1467">
Start the conversation early - ask how your teen feels about the change.
</li>
<li data-start="1468" data-end="1553">
Help them reconnect offline: swap phone numbers, plan hangouts, build community.
</li>
<li data-start="1554" data-end="1619">
Fade out (or cut off) social media together - in solidarity.
</li>
<li data-start="1620" data-end="1664">
Model it. Set your own tech boundaries.
</li>
<li data-start="1665" data-end="1730">
Make it positive - this is an opportunity, not a punishment.
</li>
</ol>

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

The Social Media Ban: Why It’s Not the End of the World for Your Teen

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/ddc283c6-8d4b-4143-97aa-b386000dbe98/transcript