Medibank has become the official health partner of social change initiative 36 Months.
36 Months urges the government to mandate social media citizenship, delaying the age teenagers can sign up to social media platforms with addictive features from 13 to 16 years old – which is 36 months.
As part of the partnership, Medibank and 36 Months will develop a range of health and wellbeing support services to help young Australians and their parents or guardians navigate the mental health space.
Medibank chief medical officer and practicing psychiatrist Andrew Wilson said the health company and 36 Months shared a commitment to improve the lives of Australians.
“As a health company we see the human cost of the escalating mental health crisis in Australia, and we want to play a meaningful part of the solution to help improve the future for our kids,” Wilson said.
“Mental illness is a growing issue in this country but there is no silver bullet. We know social media can be harmful to teenagers, in particular for younger teenagers aged 13 to 16, and is having a profoundly negative impact on their mental health.”
Emerging research shows that excessive social media use is rewiring young brains within a critical window of psychological development and is leading to an increasing number of teenagers with depression, anxiety and loneliness.
“Mental health is so important for all facets of life. People with mental health issues, such as depression, are at higher risk of developing certain chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke,” Wilson said.
“If we can help support younger teenagers with their mental health and reduce rates of mental illness, this could have an enormous impact on the health and wellbeing of the next generation of Australians.
“We acknowledge that some young people are turning to social media for mental health support. Despite this we can’t sit back and ignore the harm it is causing."
Co-founder of 36 Months and CEO of FINCH Rob Galluzzo said he is honoured to have Medibank bring their expertise and services to the 36 Months campaign.
"Adolescents often struggle to navigate the complexities of digital interactions, which can lead to long-term mental health challenges," Galluzzo said.
"It’s vital that parents, educators, healthcare professionals, and the corporate community come together to not only shape policy but also shift the culture in how we support teens, ensuring they grow into thriving adults, and access to mental health support is a key part of that."
Co-founder of 36 Months and radio presenter on NOVA 96.9 Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli said teens today face a whole new set of challenges when it comes to their mental health, especially with the prevalence of a phone-based childhood.
"Our partnership with Medibank is about making sure we equip young people with the tools and support they need to stay resilient and confident," Wippa said.
"This isn’t just a campaign—it’s a movement to shift how we approach mental health for the next generation. I’m excited to see how we can create real, positive change together."
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