With the social media ban for children under 16 just around the corner, ReachOut and Instagram have partnered for a new social series exploring the challenges and successes families face in the modern digital world titled Likes and Limits. Starring Australian actress and parent Pia Miranda, the series features conversations between teens, mental health experts and parents, including comedian Peter Roswthorn.
The series strives to empower parents and carers in their attempts to support teens when navigating social media, demystifying difficult topics and encouraging families to approach teen safety together in a relaxed manner.
The series contains four episodes focusing on screen time, privacy, community, and body image. Hosted on ReachOut’s Instagram page, the topics were discussed by ReachOut research, which revealed these are the key areas where parents need more support. It also features discussions about what Instagram tools can be used to support the safety and well-being of users on the platform.
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During the series, Miranda will chat with Rowsthorn and his daughter Billie and well-known teen creator George Rayias alongside a wealth of mental health experts, including Jocelyn Brewer, Dr Preeya Alexander and Nasalifya Namwinga.
“We’re so excited to have Pia, Peter, young people and mental health experts involved in this project. Having parents appear alongside teens and mental health experts delivers a breadth of voices and experiences which makes each episode really powerful,” said Annie Wylie, senior manager at ReachOut.
“Parents have been telling us at ReachOut that their teens’ use of social media is an area they want more help with. Each episode addresses an issue we know parents and carers are concerned about, and equips them with tips and advice on how to best support their young person”.
“Importantly, Likes and Limits is based on research, insights from the ReachOut Parents service as well as a consultation with parents and carers along the way”.
“Working with Instagram on this series means it has been purposefully designed for social media and that we’re able to meet time poor parents and carers where they are, in an easy and convenient way,” she said.
“We’re so proud to launch Likes and Limits in collaboration with ReachOut. By working together, we are able to harness collective expertise to create a safer online environment for all teens. Likes and Limits underscores the importance of engaging with the young people in our lives on these topics and highlights the Instagram tools and technology available to parents, carers and teens in curating a safe online environment, including functions such as Instagram Teen Accounts, Hidden Words, Close Friends, Quiet Mode and many more,” said Mia Garlick, director of Public Policy at Meta Australia.
The videos will be released throughout December.
