Australia’s social media ban for under 16s has garnered global attention with countries including the UK, New Zealand, Denmark and others considering similar rules.
The landmark legislation, which lifted the legal age for social media from 13 to 16 year olds, is largely the result of a campaign, 36 Months, led by Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli and Finch’s Rob Galluzzo and with PR support from Supermassive.
In just six months, it made Australia the first country to legislate a minimum age of 16 for social media use.
The campaign united government, business, media and parents in a movement that delivered meaningful, systemic reform.
In just six months, Raise The Age received the support of more than 125,000 signatures on a petition and media coverage of more than 3,270 news stories (70 per cent broadcast), 2.3 billion impressions, and support from brands like KitKat, Hyundai and Medibank.
The campaign picked up Gold at last year’s Cairns Crocodiles Awards. Unicef Australia’s ‘The Appeal Appeal’, by Howatson+Company and Legacy Lager, by VML, picked up Silver, while WWF’s The Finder, by Droga5 New Zealand, won bronze.
At this year’s Cairns Crocodiles Awards, the Changing The World Campaign category has been rebranded to Public Service Announcement Campaign, and recognises the most effective campaigns in Government, Not for Profit and Charity sectors that aim to drive positive societal change.
If your campaign has shifted the dial on public communications, enter the 2026 Cairns Crocodiles Awards today.
