What if the world’s biggest social media company discovered its platforms were harming mental health… and then buried the evidence? Today, Justin and Kylie unpack explosive court documents about Meta’s secret research, the upcoming social media age-limit legislation, and what really happens when we step away from the online world. Then, we dive into your powerful responses to our most controversial episode of the year — including raw truths from parents who feel exhausted, confused, and desperate for answers. This episode will make you think differently about screens, kids, “normality,” and what families actually need.

KEY POINTS
Meta allegedly hid internal research showing users became less depressed after deleting Facebook.
Why this matters ahead of Australia’s new social media minimum-age legislation.
Justin’s own social media detox — and the surprising wellbeing shift.
Why young teens are the most vulnerable to social platforms.
The cultural shift toward labels, diagnoses, and pathologising behaviour.
Parents respond to the Sammy Tamimi episode: gratitude, confusion, frustration, exhaustion.
The power — and danger — of language when describing kids’ struggles.
Why the environment (screens, sleep, school, structure) often matters more than labels.
Reassurance: you can hold the nuance — be curious and compassionate without losing hope.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

"When we change our language, we change our experience." — Justin

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Meta court case reporting (news.com.au)
Searching for Normal by Dr. Sammy Tamimi
Previous Happy Families episode featuring Dr. Sammy Tamimi
Research on Facebook deactivation and mental health

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Audit your child’s digital environment — sleep, screens, stimulation, social pressure.
Create a family phone culture (including boundaries around late-night messaging).
Hold diagnoses lightly, not dismissively — take what helps, leave what harms.
Stay curious about what might be driving big emotions or behaviour.
Prioritise connection over correction when your child is struggling.
Remember progress > perfection — small steps make a big difference.

What if the world&rsquo;s biggest social media company discovered its platforms were harming mental health&hellip; and then buried the evidence? Today, Justin and Kylie unpack explosive court documents about Meta&rsquo;s secret research, the upcoming social media age-limit legislation, and what really happens when we step away from the online world. Then, we dive into your powerful responses to our most controversial episode of the year &mdash; including raw truths from parents who feel exhausted, confused, and desperate for answers. This episode will make you think differently about screens, kids, &ldquo;normality,&rdquo; and what families actually need.
KEY POINTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Meta allegedly hid internal research showing users became less depressed after deleting Facebook.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why this matters ahead of Australia&rsquo;s new social media minimum-age legislation.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Justin&rsquo;s own social media detox &mdash; and the surprising wellbeing shift.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why young teens are the most vulnerable to social platforms.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The cultural shift toward labels, diagnoses, and pathologising behaviour.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Parents respond to the Sammy Tamimi episode: gratitude, confusion, frustration, exhaustion.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The power &mdash; and danger &mdash; of language when describing kids&rsquo; struggles.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why the environment (screens, sleep, school, structure) often matters more than labels.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Reassurance: you can hold the nuance &mdash; be curious and compassionate without losing hope.</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
"When we change our language, we change our experience." &mdash; Justin
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Meta court case reporting (news.com.au)</li>
<li aria-level="1">Searching for Normal by Dr. Sammy Tamimi</li>
<li aria-level="1">Previous Happy Families episode featuring Dr. Sammy Tamimi</li>
<li aria-level="1">Research on Facebook deactivation and mental health</li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Audit your child&rsquo;s digital environment &mdash; sleep, screens, stimulation, social pressure.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Create a family phone culture (including boundaries around late-night messaging).</li>
<li aria-level="1">Hold diagnoses lightly, not dismissively &mdash; take what helps, leave what harms.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Stay curious about what might be driving big emotions or behaviour.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Prioritise connection over correction when your child is struggling.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Remember progress &gt; perfection &mdash; small steps make a big difference.</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

What Happens When You Stop Scrolling?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/1977c955-0cdc-47e3-b384-b3a200d11ec8/transcript