In this special episode of One Young Mind, we speak with Greg Atwells and Michael “Wippa” Wipfli, two of the dads behind 36 Months, the movement that helped Australia introduce a world-first minimum age for social media.

Recorded just after Australia’s under-16 law came into force, this conversation explores how a simple question, “What if no one was on it?”, sparked a national shift, and what New Zealand parents and policymakers can learn from it.

Greg and Wippa share what it took to turn parental concern into political action, how social norms rather than perfect enforcement drive lasting change, and why this moment matters far beyond Australia.

They also speak candidly about parenting through the transition. The grief some young people feel when social media is removed. The relief many parents experience. And the opportunity this creates to reclaim real-world independence, boredom, creativity and connection.

This is a hopeful, practical conversation about courage, leadership and why protecting children online should not rest on parents’ shoulders alone.

In this episode, we discuss:


How the 36 Months campaign began and why parents felt “damned if they do, damned if they don’t”


What changed once social media access became a legal issue rather than a parenting battle


Why age limits are about social norming, not punishment


How Australia moved quickly and what New Zealand can learn from that


Why tech companies can enforce age limits despite what they claim


Supporting children through the transition off social media


Practical ideas for parents navigating the off-social phase together

This episode is essential listening for parents, educators and anyone interested in how evidence, public will and leadership can come together to protect young minds.

In this special episode of&nbsp;One Young Mind, we speak with Greg Atwells and Michael &ldquo;Wippa&rdquo; Wipfli, two of the dads behind&nbsp;36 Months, the movement that helped Australia introduce a world-first minimum age for social media.
Recorded just after Australia&rsquo;s under-16 law came into force, this conversation explores how a simple question, &ldquo;What if no one was on it?&rdquo;, sparked a national shift, and what New Zealand parents and policymakers can learn from it.
Greg and Wippa share what it took to turn parental concern into political action, how social norms rather than perfect enforcement drive lasting change, and why this moment matters far beyond Australia.
They also speak candidly about parenting through the transition. The grief some young people feel when social media is removed. The relief many parents experience. And the opportunity this creates to reclaim real-world independence, boredom, creativity and connection.
This is a hopeful, practical conversation about courage, leadership and why protecting children online should not rest on parents&rsquo; shoulders alone.
In this episode, we discuss:
<ul>
<li>
How the 36 Months campaign began and why parents felt &ldquo;damned if they do, damned if they don&rsquo;t&rdquo;
</li>
<li>
What changed once social media access became a legal issue rather than a parenting battle
</li>
<li>
Why age limits are about social norming, not punishment
</li>
<li>
How Australia moved quickly and what New Zealand can learn from that
</li>
<li>
Why tech companies can enforce age limits despite what they claim
</li>
<li>
Supporting children through the transition off social media
</li>
<li>
Practical ideas for parents navigating the off-social phase together
</li>
</ul>
This episode is essential listening for parents, educators and anyone interested in how evidence, public will and leadership can come together to protect young minds.

Our young people live in an increasingly digital world. While technology can improve our lives in many ways, we ask: do the benefits of social media for young people outweigh the harms? In this podcast, we explore why it is so hard for young people to put their phones down, and the mental health challenges rising alongside their online lives.

Through lived-experience, expert insights, and honest conversations, we aim to understand what is happening for our tamariki online and what we can do to protect their precious mind during those formative, developmental years.

This podcast is about listening, learning, and not shying away from the hard truths. Understanding what is really happening for young people online is the first step to keeping them safe.

Hosted by Matilda Green, content creator, presenter and mother of three, and Dr Maneesh Deva, paediatrician and health innovator working on the front lines of our hospitals and ICUs, One Young Mind brings together a compelling mix of voices and perspectives to explore the challenges, pressures and realities young people face on social media.

One Young Mind is brought to you by the team behind B416, with support from 2degrees and their Fairer Phones programme, and iHeartRadio.

Follow us @b416.nz or find out more at b416.co.nz

Our young people live in an increasingly digital world. While technology can improve our lives in many ways, we ask: do the benefits of social media for young people outweigh the harms? In this podcast, we explore why it is so hard for young people to put their phones down, and the mental health challenges rising alongside their online lives.
Through lived-experience, expert insights, and honest conversations, we aim to understand what is happening for our tamariki online and what we can do to protect their precious mind during those formative, developmental years.
This podcast is about listening, learning, and not shying away from the hard truths. Understanding what is really happening for young people online is the first step to keeping them safe.
Hosted by Matilda Green, content creator, presenter and mother of three, and Dr Maneesh Deva, paediatrician and health innovator working on the front lines of our hospitals and ICUs, One Young Mind brings together a compelling mix of voices and perspectives to explore the challenges, pressures and realities young people face on social media.
One Young Mind is brought to you by the team behind B416, with support from 2degrees and their Fairer Phones programme, and iHeartRadio.
Follow us <a href="https://www.instagram.com/b416.nz/?hl=en">@b416.nz</a> or find out more at <a href="https://b416.co.nz/">b416.co.nz</a>