MICHAEL WIPFLI, HOST: Today is an important day, as you mentioned, Fitz, on the calendar, 10 December 2025, and today in Australia, the social media laws change. This comes as a huge relief for many, many parents around Australia, but also, quietly, I believe and trust that it is a relief for a lot of teenagers as well. And probably an insurance play also for those younger, who won't be able to join a social media platform until they are 16, and I think that is a healthy place for kids to play. So, today is a significant one.

RYAN FITZGERALD, HOST: It is. I think it's a great day to have the conversation with the kids. And for me, personally, it was just, I find it easier to explain to the kids, very similar to the excuse that they give to me, that everybody's on it, Dad, is that I can say, well, now, unfortunately, it's against the law to be on these social media apps. And you know what? That's quite easy to explain to your children.

KATE RITCHIE, HOST: I think that when they first started talking about it or the government, I mean, yes, we're doing this for kids, but we're also doing it as assistance for parents because it's hard enough, there are enough challenges at implementing rules or how to discipline or what friends are doing. But the fact that is it's a law now. That's the way it is.

WIPFLI: You make a good point too, Fitz. I mean, through 36 Months, we went and visited many schools and we spoke to- this is with developmental paediatrician, Dr Billy Garvey. And we would ask a lot of questions about support, and we led down the question path of social media. And the final question that we would ask in the room was, if social media didn't exist and the person next to you didn't have it, would you be okay with that? And every hand in the room at the school would go up, and that's what our aim is. And it's not just now and the kids at this moment in time, but it's for the younger generation as well.

So we'd like to welcome in this moment, the Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells. Anika, thanks for joining us.

MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND SPORT ANIKA WELLS: Great to be back. How are you all?

WIPFLI: Yeah, we’re good. There's a lot of conversation about how does today feel and what is today about, and I think you would support in saying that for a lot of families, and I think quietly for a lot of teenagers, today brings a lot of relief.

WELLS: Well, I hope so. Certainly today, change begins, and we know already hundreds of thousands of social media accounts have been paused for our under-16s. And I think the transition is going to be rough. None of us has ever stepped away from that. But ultimately, for a very good reason and we hope that teens will very soon be feeling the effects of real world connection and not feeling so shackled to those online lives.

RITCHIE: Yeah, I think there's going to be a bit of pushback, and I would imagine there's going to be lots of chats in cars with parents, teenagers pushing back, which is what they're meant to do. I mean, that's part of their development. What do you suggest is kind of a good few liners to say to that teen in the seat beside you in the car when they say, well, mum, everyone else has got it, or I don't want it? Hang on a second. How can I have lived with social media and now not meant to? What does this mean for me?

WELLS: I think firstly that mum or dad having a conversation can say, this isn't me doing this to you. This is the government. The Australian Government is the first in the world to do this, and we're doing it for a really good reason, because we know that this is causing harm and mental health harm to you and your friends and everybody who has been caught up in these addictive algorithms online. And there's lots of resources. There's even a discussion guide for your under-16s, for you and your under-16, on esafety.gov.au. And there's also places like Kids Helpline or 13YARN or Butterfly Foundation, depending on the nuances of the conversation, that have received money from the Federal Government through the budget and stand ready to help.

FITZGERALD: Well, just to make you feel a little bit better, I'll give you an example, Anika. The timing of this couldn't be better for the Fitzgerald family. And Wippa, I haven't told you this as well, but Lenny graduated from primary school this week.

WELLS: Congratulations.

FITZGERALD: And because he's going into high school, Anika, he gets a phone. And that was the rule in our house, that when you go to high school, you get your phone. He's very excited about that, but the timing is perfect to now say, unfortunately, when we do get that phone- and do you know what? He was really understanding with it. So I know it does sound quite harsh when you say it's against the law now for you to go on a Snapchat or an app like this. Kids do understand that. They really do understand.

WELLS: They absolutely do understand. And I think, a similar, but different story to yours. People are moving to Australia from overseas and the daughter told her parents, well, I need to get Snapchat and TikTok to keep up with my friends from home. They said, well, actually, we're not going to do that when we move to Australia because it's going to be against the law in Australia. And she said, oh, so no one will be on it? And they said, that's right. And she said, oh, well, okay, if no one's on it, I'm fine about that. I just don't want to miss out.

WIPFLI: Well, you know what? I applaud the work you're doing because it's uncharted waters with a lot of these things, I mean, when you're talking about big tech, so you're standing up very well for the nation. I do have to add, though, Anika, a fair bit of heat on you recently. You holding up all right?

WELLS: Thanks, Wippa. Look, absolutely, I'm available to answer any questions you have about my travel. And I do maintain everything I've done has followed the rules, but given the public scrutiny and for the absolute avoidance of doubt to give people confidence, I've self-referred myself to IPEA, which is our independent regulator for parliamentarians’ travel for them to look at.

WIPFLI: Okay, so that's the correct process here. Well, thank you for today. It's been great to be on board with all the work that you've been doing as well.

RITCHIE: Yeah, the world is watching today, I think.

WIPFLI: The world is watching. A significant day for Australia, for teenagers, their wellness, and also for families. So thank you for joining us.

WELLS: And thank you all. This has only been possible because parents and people like you who amplify the will of parents across the country have made this happen.

WIPFLI: Communications Minister Anika Wells, thank you for joining us.

WELLS: Thank you.