Join us for an insightful episode as we chat with Dany Elachi, a Sydney father of five and the co-founder of Heads Up Alliance. Dany and his wife started this grassroots movement in 2020 to encourage parents to delay giving their kids social media and smartphones. They believe that families in local school communities can create a healthier environment for their children by working together.

We delve into the critical topic of raising the minimum social media age to 16 years with Dany Elachi, co-founder of the Heads Up Alliance. With smartphones already banned in public schools across New South Wales and Queensland, Australia is ahead of the curve in reclaiming childhood from the grips of Big Tech.

Dany discusses the recent bipartisan support for increasing the social media minimum age to 16 and highlights the Coalition's commitment to enacting this law within 100 days of forming a government. He expresses concerns about recent doubts from the Communications Minister and the Prime Minister's suggestions of conditional implementation.

Through this conversation, we explore why the current minimum age of 13—rooted in American privacy law—is outdated and inappropriate. Dany argues that even if age verification technology isn't perfect, passing this law now would send a solid signal to parents and children about the hazards of social media for young teens.

Dany presents a compelling list of serious harms linked to early social media use, including:

• Less sleep, reading, nature, and exercise
• Weaker family connections and real-life friendships
• Reduced face-to-face socialization, concentration, learning, and creativity
• Increased exposure to bullying, extreme viewpoints, gratuitous violence, porn, sextortionists, and child predators

By taking decisive action, Australia can set a new norm and provide parents with the support they need to resist the pressure of early social media exposure for their children. Dany emphasizes the importance of prioritizing children's wellbeing over profits and the urgency of addressing the negative impacts of social media on youth mental health.

Tune in to hear Dany Elachi's passionate plea for raising the social media minimum age to 16, the potential benefits for our children, and how communities can come together to protect the next generation. This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone concerned about the future of our children's mental health and well-being.
Join the movement
https://www.facebook.com/TheHeadsUpAlliance/?locale=ms_MY&paipv=0&eav=Afbm52iu63tPe51QKec6ThG3yxDJITf_Me3ZuZZwGuFfZ2vu8kMzrJW8RRzttP12j_A

Join us at the SEEN community event
https://events.humanitix.com/mastering-children-s-mental-health-in-the-digital-age
Link to the story about Sweden back to basics schooling.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/11/sweden-says-back-to-basics-schooling-works-on-paper

Support the Show.

Subscribe and support the podcast at
https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new
Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

Did you realise that almost zero places online are safe for children? The dark web has exploited our addiction to phones and digital lives, leaving no one paying attention to our children, who have become easy targets.

In this deeply moving podcast episode, we hear from Wayne Holdsworth, a father who tragically lost his 17-year-old son Mac was a victim to on-line sextortion in October 2023 after becoming a victim of sextortion. Wayne shares his profound regret and pain, wishing he had known that in the hours before someone decides to take their own life, they might act as if they don’t have a care in the world. If he had known, he believed Mac might still be alive. Social media taught him everything about what to do. Tech companies want you to think that it is OK to use social media BUT they don’t want you to know that their algorithms are serving them R- rated content and that AI chatbots and messaging apps are able to reach any of them now in 2024. Parents, we are asleep and do not realise what an impact this is having on children’s mental health. Time to open your eyes wide and ask- WHAT are they watching, WHO are they talking to? This will protect your kids. It is an urgent crisis.

Before October last year, Wayne knew very little about suicide. His son fell victim to sextortion, paying the scammers in hopes of stopping their threats, but the harassment continued. Despite Wayne's efforts to intervene, Mac was overwhelmed by the fear of his friends discovering the images he had sent. On the night Mac took his life, he seemed upbeat and happy, which Wayne later learned can be a sign of someone who has decided to end their life.

At Mac's funeral, 700 people gathered to mourn—a poignant reminder of the widespread impact of suicide. Wayne's message is clear: it’s not enough to simply ask if someone is OK.

Wayne Holdsworth's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the need for better support systems for those in crisis. Let's work together to ensure that no other family has to experience such a heartbreaking loss

For more information and support on sextortion and mental health, visit:

• eSafety
• Headspace
• Lifeline

Join the conversation and help spread awareness: #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #Sextortion #WayneHoldsworth #Podcast #YouthSupport #AwarenessMatters #NoMoreWaits #ParentingAdvice #FamilySupport #SaveLives #OnlineSafety #ProtectOurChildren

Support the Show.

Subscribe and support the podcast at
https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new
Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

Today we dive deep into important conversations about mental health, well-being, and community support. We're discussing an incredibly important topic that, unfortunately, affects many lives—today, we are talking about suicide and the reasons leading a young boy to the moment and the steps we, as parents and a society, can take to prevent it from happening.

"Suicide is a challenging and sensitive subject, but it's one we must talk about openly and compassionately. Understanding the signs, offering support, and knowing where to turn for help can save lives. Today's goal is to provide information, share stories, and offer hope."

I want to take a moment to acknowledge that this topic might be triggering for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, it's crucial to reach out for help. In Australia, you can call Lifeline at 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636. You're not alone; some people care and want to help."

In today's episode, we'll speak with Ali Halkic, hear about how his family has been affected by the loss of Allem, his son, and discuss ways we can all contribute to creating a supportive and understanding community. Remember, it's okay to ask for help, and it's okay to talk about how you're feeling. So, let's start by understanding the signs and symptoms that someone might be struggling with and what steps we can take to provide support.

We're also excited to announce that we are running an important forum on August 8th in Brisbane to bring us together. We need to take collective action to master children's mental health and prevent further harm. Your participation can make a real difference.

This is an urgent need to solve the issue of smart devices and social media’s impact on our children’s mental health- as it will reverberate in our country for generations.

These are the ways people can help:

This is the forum on August 8th.

• There is an urgent need for a collective effort to reshape how society, tech companies, parents, educators, clinicians, and policymakers prioritise and protect our youngest users in the digital age.
• BEING SEEN forum aims to come together and provide tools to empower parents, educators, clinicians, and policymakers to promote children's mental health, digital literacy, and wellness in the digital age.

Author: "BEING SEEN" Master Parenting in the Digital Age

Book available here:

https://www.profselenabartlett.com/product-page/being-seen

Join us at the SEEN forum: Mastering Mental Health in the Digital Age. August 8th, 2024.

Register here.

https://events.humanitix.com/mastering-children-s-mental-health-in-the-digital-age

View the SEEN documentary sizzle reel here by Sam Jockel, CEO Parent TV.

Link here

https://vimeo.com/870004837/431a46920f

Support the Show.

Subscribe and support the podcast at
https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new
Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com