A Personal Confession

When the Australian government first announced the ban on social media for under-16s earlier this year, my immediate reaction wasn't relief. It was discomfort.

I work in the technology industry. For years, I told myself that "educating" my kids was better than banning them. I realise now that was confirmation bias at work. I was looking for reasons to justify the devices I had already given my 10 and 12-year-old.

I am embarrassed to admit that despite my industry expertise, I made a mistake. But seeing the data—and seeing the changes in my own home—I realised I needed to pivot.

We are now winding back usage in our house. It isn't easy, but it is necessary. I built LessIsMore.au not to shame parents who are in the deep end, but to say: It is never too late to change course.