Likes and Limits is a four part series, available to watch at @reachout_aus
ReachOut and Instagram have together launched a brand new social-series hosted by Aussie parent Pia Miranda and featuring Peter Rowsthorn alongside teens and mental health experts, to explore the challenges and successes families face in today's digital world.
Likes and Limits aims to empower parents and carers to confidently support their teens when it comes to challenges they may experience when navigating social media. The series demystifies difficult topics and encourages families to approach teen online safety together.
Hosted on ReachOut’s Instagram, the series features four key episodes on body image, screen time, privacy and building community while staying safe. The topics were informed by ReachOut’s recent research that shows these are areas where parents need more support and guidance.
Throughout the series Pia chats to actor Peter Rowsthorn and his daughter Billie, prominent teen creator George Rayias and mental health experts including Jocelyn Brewer, Dr Preeya Alexander and Nasalifya Namwinga about their experiences, how they approach social media challenges and what Instagram tools they use to support safety and wellbeing on the platform.
Annie Wylie, Senior Manager at ReachOut, said the series brings to life a wealth of both expert insights and lived experience.
“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.
“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," says Mia Garlick, Director of Public Policy at Meta Australia.
The videos are available @reachout_aus and will be released throughout December.
For information and support young people can visit ReachOut and @reachout_aus. Parents and carers can visit ReachOut Parents and @reachout_parents.
This project has been supported and funded by Instagram.
ReachOut Parents is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
Media contact
Tessa Anderssen / tessa@reachout.com / 0411 708 587
Key statistics
Taken from ReachOut’s research paper - Parenting in the Digital Age
Data from a nationally representative survey of 631 parents and carers caring for 921 young people aged 12–18 years of age, April 2023.
- 59% of parents and carers said that they were concerned about young people’s use of social media.
- 35% of parents and carers said that their teens’ social media use was one of their top issues of concern.
- 56% of parents and carers who selected use of social media and the internet as a top concern reported needing access to quality, trusted information that could help them support their young person.
Young people
Parents and carers
Other places to find ReachOut on social media
About ReachOut
ReachOut is the leading online mental health service in Australia supporting young people during tough times.
ReachOut helps young people feel better about today and the future, no matter what challenge they’re facing. They provide a safe place where young people can openly express themselves, explore what’s happening in their lives, connect with people who understand their situation, and find the resources to help them manage their challenges now and in the future.
Anonymous, free and 100% online, ReachOut has been designed specifically for – and with – young people. From one-to-one support from experienced peer workers, to online forums, as well as tips, stories and resources, ReachOut offers a wide range of support options that allow young people to engage in the ways they want to, when they want to, and has been doing so for more than 20 years.
And, ReachOut Parents and ReachOut Schools provide valuable information, resources and advice to help parents, carers and educators to better understand the young people in their lives and to play an active role in their wellbeing.
