Dr Michael Carr Gregg on the U16 Social Media Ban

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
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Speaker 2 (00:04):
Llewellyn Hey Yundai.

Speaker 3 (00:05):
You switched on Riveno four nine.

Speaker 2 (00:07):
It's what people are talking about.

Speaker 3 (00:09):
People are talking about the under sixteen band with Australia's
December ten Marle. We got two days until it kicks in,
covering Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, snapchat, x, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch threads
and kick. Psychologists warning some teens may experience intense withdrawal, anger, anxiety,
isolation and even deceptive behavior. And joining us now is

(00:29):
adolescent psychologist doctor Michael Carr Greg Good morning, Michael.

Speaker 2 (00:33):
Morning, guys, Good morning. Now.

Speaker 3 (00:34):
You're calling it the first serious act of national defense.
What's that mean?

Speaker 2 (00:37):
Well, it's just like a rare moment for parents to
reset the rules of engagement between technology and kids. For years,
we've handed our children devices that deliver endless validation from
perfect strangers, and then wondered why they've ended up anxious,

(00:58):
lonely and distrass. I think it's a fantastic idea.

Speaker 1 (01:02):
Okay, so you are in support of this band, which
I know, Yeah, a lot of people are, and obviously
the movement behind it. I do understand when you say
there's a lot of talk about it, but I do
believe that this is going to hit some families like
a freight train when this comes into play, when it
just disappears and you're dealing with a child or an
adolescent that has been used to using these things lent

(01:24):
on that for their form of entertainment or social connectivity,
where there's going to be some kickback from the kids, guaranteed,
and some households in a lot.

Speaker 3 (01:32):
Of distress, and from the parents too.

Speaker 1 (01:34):
Trying to deal with their child that's not coping with
now being shut off.

Speaker 3 (01:37):
Having meltdowns.

Speaker 2 (01:38):
Look, some will struggle, especially those already vulnerable to a
little bit of anxiety or depression. So look, I'm saying
the parents expect irritability, There'll be some sleep disruption, there'll
be some mood swings. But this is an opportunity of
them to engage in real world activities instead that are music, dance, drama, sport,

(02:02):
board games at Christmas time, actually talk with human beings.
And remember they can still use WhatsApp and Messenger to
communicate with their friends. The world is not ending for
their social life.

Speaker 1 (02:16):
Yes, well I guess, yeah, I guess it's just ending
the way they've known it and it's going to be
a whole different way. So I mean, any tips for
parents dealing with anxious children or children that do melt down,
because I would say there's a lot of kids out
there more addictive than what parents even realize to some
of these things.

Speaker 2 (02:33):
Look, I think our job now is to create a
digital family plan, and that is we talk to them
about what we're going to do instead, what they can use,
reassure them and explain to them that this is an
opportunity for them to hit pause, rebuild some social skills,

(02:57):
and we just need to remind our young people that
their worth isn't measured in likes. It's not just to
reinforce that this is a new law, but it's a
cultural shift and they'll be supported in love through it.

Speaker 1 (03:13):
Sure, yeah, thank you.

Speaker 3 (03:15):
I think I'm yet to see what happens. I mean,
it's just going to be a learning curve for everyone.

Speaker 2 (03:19):
Don't you think it's going to be a big change.
But I think ultimately when we don't outsource the mental
health our kids to Silicon Valley, Australia will be a
better place.

Speaker 3 (03:31):
All right, Well, thank you so much. Again Dr Michael.

Speaker 2 (03:33):
Ka Greg always a pleasure by guys.

Speaker 3 (03:36):
Bye Marty. You know, I said to my daughter the
other day. She goes, oh, you know, I don't know
about this band.

Speaker 2 (03:40):
Dad.

Speaker 3 (03:41):
She's seventeen, so she's missing out. Okay, but still because
of her the algorithms and what have you, they might
see her as sixteen. Who knows. But I said, look,
I was banned from social media. She goes, you were
banned for social media and I said, yeah, we didn't
have it, it didn't exist.

Speaker 1 (03:57):
I managed that. Yeah, I know, I don't understand