Do you really trust your teen to manage their phone—and the algorithm—alone? In this episode, Justin and Kylie Coulson tackle a Gold Coast mum’s burning question: should parents rely on filtering apps or on trust? Justin shares his eye-opening experiment pretending to be a teenage boy on Instagram (and what the algorithm served up), while Kylie explains why this isn’t just a “trust” issue—it’s a maturity issue. Together they reveal how to set limits that actually protect kids, build accountability, and still keep the relationship strong.

Key Points

Why filters aren’t foolproof—and why blind trust is even riskier
The hidden danger of “friendly” algorithms that quickly escalate to violent or explicit content
Justin’s experiment that turned his feed dark in just two weeks
The 3 E’s of Effective Discipline: Explore, Explain, Empower
How to create family tech agreements that work—and stick

Quote of the Episode
“We say we don’t like the restraints, but we actually need them. Just like a roller-coaster harness, limits keep our kids safe when life turns upside down.” – Justin Coulson

Resources Mentioned

Managing Screens at Home [Webinar] Included in the Happy Families membership.

Action Steps for Parents

Audit together: Sit with your teen and explore what their algorithms are serving them.
Set limits, not locks: Use filters as one layer, but focus on ongoing conversations.
Use the 3 E’s: Explore their perspective, Explain your concerns, Empower them to co-create safe screen habits.
Find your village: Connect with like-minded parents to make consistent boundaries easier.

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Screens, Teens, and the Limits They Secretly Want