Spotlight Moment from Episode 3: Breaking down stereotypes for Māori and Pasifika youth

In this deeply personal and moving episode of One Young Mind, New Zealand mother Jen shares the story of her son Harry, who died at the age of 18.

Big tech has called child safety reform a “global contagion risk.” Why? Because when one country stands up, others follow, and that threatens their business model. In this Spotlight Moment with 36Months founders, Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli and Greg Attwells, we unpack the confronting language being used behind closed doors to stop child protection from spreading. As Australia pushes forward, the world is watching, and the stakes could not be higher. This week alone, 2.6 million teens were freed from an experiment they never chose.

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”

In this Spotlight Moment, Jo Robertson speaks directly to parents already in the thick of it. She shares insights on what’s really happening for young people online, the pressures they’re under, and the practical steps you can take right now to protect and support your child. This episode is for the parents whose kids are online, exposed, and trying to make sense of a digital world that’s moving fast. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure how to set boundaries, or worried about what your child is seeing and experiencing, this moment is for you. This is an important, eye-opening conversation about the very real risks of social media, and the changes we can all make to support one young mind at a time. New Zealand Helplines: Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)

Keeping kids safe online can feel overwhelming, especially when the digital world shifts faster than most parents can keep up. In this episode, online-safety experts Jo Robertson and Holly Brooker from Make Sense break down what parents really need to know, and how to build digital resilience in everyday family life.