#246 Frankie Johnston — The 17-Year-Old Reminding Us All That Manners Matter
Good Humans with Cooper ChapmanShow Notes
Frankie Johnston is a 17-year-old high school student who is already making a powerful impact across Australia. As the founder of the Manners Matter Initiative, Frankie is leading a movement encouraging young people to bring kindness, respect, and better behaviour back into everyday life, both online and offline.
What started as a simple idea has quickly grown into a nationally recognised initiative, with Frankie sharing her message on Sky News, The Daily Telegraph, and The Today Show. But this episode is about more than just media attention. It’s about why this matters.
We dive into the moment that inspired Frankie to take action, what she’s seeing firsthand in schools and among young people, and why she believes small shifts in behaviour can create a huge ripple effect on mental health and community.
We also have an honest conversation around social media, including whether there should be stronger boundaries or bans for young people, and how platforms are shaping the way we communicate and treat each other.
We talk about my role coming on as an ambassador for Manners Matter, what the initiative stands for, and how each of us can play a part in creating a more respectful and connected world. In this episode we cover: Frankie’s story and the moment she decided to start the Manners Matter Initiative What she’s seeing in schools and why kindness and respect are more important than ever How small actions and better manners can create a ripple effect in communities The impact of social media on young people and the case for stronger boundaries The conversations around banning social media for younger generations What Manners Matter is doing right now and the vision for the future How I got involved as an ambassador and why I believe in the mission Simple ways you can get involved and be part of the movement
Connect with Frankie: https://themmi.com.au/
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