Australia recently enacted a law prohibiting children under 16 from accessing social media platforms. This legislation aims to address growing concerns about the impact of social media on the mental health and development of young people. While the law has its critics, citing questions about enforceability and personal freedoms, it also raises important questions about the responsibility of societies to protect their youngest members in an increasingly digital world.

The rationale behind the ban is rooted in mounting evidence of social media’s potentially harmful effects on adolescents. A landmark study published in JAMA Pediatrics revealed that excessive social media use correlates with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality in teens. These findings align with a growing body of research showing that the algorithms driving social media platforms often amplify feelings of inadequacy, comparison, and social isolation—especially among adolescents who are still developing their sense of self.

In 2022, the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared youth mental health a national crisis, highlighting social media as a significant contributing factor.

One study he cited, conducted by the Pew Research Center, found that 59% of teenagers report being cyberbullied or harassed online. Girls, in particular, are disproportionately affected, with higher rates of body image issues and low self-esteem attributed to the curated, often unattainable beauty standards prevalent on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

The Australian government also referenced research suggesting that social media use during critical developmental years could negatively impact cognitive and emotional growth.

A study from the University of Southern California found that early exposure to excessive screen time rewires the brain’s reward systems, making adolescents more susceptible to addictive behaviors. The study’s authors argue that these changes can impair a teen’s ability to regulate emotions and make sound decisions—skills that are crucial for adulthood.

The new law is not without its challenges. Critics argue that a blanket ban could alienate young people from essential forms of communication and self-expression, particularly in rural areas where social media can be a lifeline. Enforcing the law—which requires platforms to verify user age—will also prove difficult. However, proponents believe the ban sends a strong message about the value of protecting youth from corporate algorithms that prioritize engagement over well-being.

Experts emphasize that addressing social media’s impact on young people requires more than regulation.

Dr. Jean Twenge, author of iGen, advocates for parental involvement and education alongside policy changes. “Parents need to model healthy tech habits and create open dialogue about social media use,” Twenge explains. She suggests implementing household rules like tech-free dinners or screen time limits, which can help teens develop a balanced relationship with technology.

While Australia’s approach may seem radical, it adds to a broader conversation about the role of technology in children’s lives.

In the U.S., states like Utah and Arkansas have introduced laws requiring parental consent for minors to use social media, and discussions about age-appropriate tech use are gaining momentum worldwide. Organizations such as Common Sense Media provide resources for families seeking guidance on navigating these challenges.

As the mom of a curious kindergartener who already knows how to ask Siri for help and a baby girl who asks Google to play Elmo regularly, I find myself thinking through these questions more deeply. How do we strike the balance between embracing the benefits of technology and safeguarding our children’s well-being? The answer may not lie in a single law or parental strategy but in a collective effort to prioritize kids’ mental health over the dopamine-driven demands of digital life.

Australia’s bold move serves as a wake-up call. It’s a reminder that as parents, educators, and policymakers, we have a shared responsibility to help the next generation navigate a digital landscape fraught with both promise and peril. Let’s ensure we equip our kids with the tools—and boundaries—they need to thrive.

Last week, I had an aha moment.  I was on a call with a new donor for First Things First while simultaneously trying to convince my five-year-old to take his antibiotics for walking pneumonia,  distracting my one-year-old from playing with the shiny knobs on the stove, and making dinner for my mom and dad who were on their way to hang out with my children while I finished a few work things. It hit me just how much I rely on my “village” to get through the chaos of life—my husband, my parents, my friends. Parenting, pursuing passion, developing relationships, and even personal growth are never solo acts.

But what happens when your community is stretched thin?

For families in low-income communities, the challenges can be overwhelming: fewer resources, higher stress levels, and often, a lack of supportive networks. Yet research consistently shows that mentorship, community, and accountability can be the lifeline that transforms not just individual lives, but entire communities.

In lower-income communities, mentorship isn’t just “nice-to-have”—it’s often a lifeline. A study from the National Mentoring Partnership found that young people with mentors are 55% more likely to enroll in college, 78% more likely to volunteer in their communities, and 130% more likely to hold leadership positions. Mentorship isn’t about telling someone what to do; it’s about walking alongside them and showing them what’s possible.

For parents, mentorship can mean gaining critical knowledge about child development, financial literacy, or relationship building. For kids, having a mentor can be the difference between falling into a cycle of poverty or breaking free.

The phrase It takes a village is more than a cliché. Studies from The American Journal of Community Psychology highlight how strong social networks improve mental health, reduce stress, and foster resilience, especially in marginalized communities. Yet for families in low-income areas, finding those networks can be tough.

One of the greatest benefits of a genuine community is accountability, which often gets a bad rap. It sounds intimidating, like someone wagging a finger at your mistakes. But true accountability is rooted in care. It’s about creating a space of honesty, support, and encouraged growth.

Imagine the ripple effect if we leaned into these practices in low-income communities.

Mentorship creates vision. Community offers strength. Accountability ensures growth. Together, they create cycles of empowerment that change lives for generations. If you’re in a position to mentor or build relationships, here’s your call to step up. If you need support, reach out. It takes courage to ask for help, but courage often leads to connection.

This week, I challenge you to think about how you can contribute to your “village.”

Maybe it’s mentoring a teenager, hosting a neighborhood potluck, or simply checking in on a friend who’s struggling. When we show up for each other, we build something bigger than ourselves: a movement of connection, care, and hope. Strengthening families and breaking generational cycles has to include multiple partnerships, resources, and avenues, especially for low-income families.

And for the parents juggling jobs, sick kiddos, and toddlers who touch all things shiny—know this: You are not alone. Together, we are stronger.

My kindergartener has a large number of friends. Of course, the majority of them are “girlfriends,” but that’s a topic for a different column on another day. The most consistent comments I’ve received about his personality is that he is very affectionate and social… sometimes a little too social. He even gained the nickname “The Fonz” at a Mother’s Day Out Program he attended from ages two to five years old.

While I’m confident my son knows how to be sociable, and he loves making new friends, I’ve also heard him have a really hard time letting others be in the lead during games or imaginative play. He also struggles with knowing and maintaining his physical boundaries and the boundaries of others. He loves to give hugs and kisses, as well as wrestle you to the ground through his infamous “stepover toe hold” – a move generously taught to him by my dad.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how to influence some of these things, especially since I’m not typically there to intervene or guide him on the playground.

This year, the University of Georgia published a study that digs into this idea: how parents engage with their children on a daily basis could actually influence how they play with their peers.

According to the study, kids learn critical social skills through their primary relationships—which means their parents or caregivers are the number one influencers on the list. Whether it’s navigating who goes first on the slide or sharing that favorite toy, children draw from their daily, often tiny, interactions at home to build their “friendship toolkit.”

The researchers found that kids whose parents engage them in warm, responsive, and attuned ways tend to approach their peer relationships more positively. This isn’t about creating conflict-free zones; it’s about how we respond to those inevitable moments when things get a little rocky. It turns out that kids who’ve seen us handle a toddler tantrum calmly or negotiate an early bedtime with grace are more likely to bring these negotiation skills to the playground.

This study also aligns with what other experts in family and childhood development emphasize.

Dr. John Gottman, a prominent relationship researcher, has found that how we validate our children’s emotions—whether that’s joy, frustration, or sadness—affects their emotional intelligence and resilience. When we listen actively, we’re teaching our kids that feelings are okay, manageable, and worth talking about. This emotional literacy translates to empathy on the playground, where they start to notice and respond to the feelings of their friends.

Of course, it’s not all about warmth. Boundaries, consistency, and accountability play a big role, too. Most relationship and parent experts rally for an authoritative parenting style: a balance of warmth and firmness. This approach tends to produce kids who are self-assured yet respectful, qualities that naturally draw in friends.

Interestingly, the study also touches on how parental stress can trickle down into children’s social lives.

When we’re overwhelmed, it’s easy to slip into a short-tempered, less patient version of ourselves. While that’s normal (who hasn’t felt that way?), our efforts to regulate our own emotions help our children learn to do the same. Psychologist Dr. Laura Markham suggests that taking time to check in with ourselves and, when possible, practice self-care can have ripple effects on our children’s emotional health and friendships.

In our fast-paced, over-scheduled world, the takeaway from this research is refreshingly simple: our kids benefit most from the everyday moments where we’re fully present. Whether it’s an impromptu game of hide-and-seek or listening to the (many) detailed descriptions of today’s kindergarten art project, these connections matter. In helping our children learn kindness, patience, and resilience at home, we’re giving them the skills to become good friends with others.