What Happens When You Stop Scrolling?

What if the world’s biggest social media company discovered its platforms were harming mental health… and then buried the evidence? Today, Justin and Kylie unpack explosive court documents about Meta’s secret research, the upcoming social media age-limit legislation, and what really happens when we step away from the online world. Then, we dive into your powerful responses to our most controversial episode of the year — including raw truths from parents who feel exhausted, confused, and desperate for answers. This episode will make you think differently about screens, kids, “normality,” and what families actually need.

KEY POINTS

• Meta allegedly hid internal research showing users became less depressed after deleting Facebook.
• Why this matters ahead of Australia’s new social media minimum-age legislation.
• Justin’s own social media detox — and the surprising wellbeing shift.
• Why young teens are the most vulnerable to social platforms.
• The cultural shift toward labels, diagnoses, and pathologising behaviour.
• Parents respond to the Sammy Tamimi episode: gratitude, confusion, frustration, exhaustion.
• The power — and danger — of language when describing kids’ struggles.
• Why the environment (screens, sleep, school, structure) often matters more than labels.
• Reassurance: you can hold the nuance — be curious and compassionate without losing hope.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

"When we change our language, we change our experience." — Justin

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Meta court case reporting (news.com.au)
• Searching for Normal by Dr. Sammy Tamimi
• Previous Happy Families episode featuring Dr. Sammy Tamimi
• Research on Facebook deactivation and mental health

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

1. Audit your child’s digital environment — sleep, screens, stimulation, social pressure.
2. Create a family phone culture (including boundaries around late-night messaging).
3. Hold diagnoses lightly, not dismissively — take what helps, leave what harms.
4. Stay curious about what might be driving big emotions or behaviour.
5. Prioritise connection over correction when your child is struggling.
6. Remember progress > perfection — small steps make a big difference.

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