‘Greatest amount of harm’: Play School star Rachael Coopes weighs in on social media restrictions

Play School star Rachael Coopes — and mother to 11-year-old Gabriel — has backed calls for kids to be off social media for “as long as possible”.

Play School star Rachael Coopes has backed calls for kids to be off social media for “as long as possible”.

Mother to an 11-year-old son, Gabriel, the actor and TV presenter is very clear on her rules around use of apps like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

“I’m a big advocate of delaying as late as possible kids access to multi-billion dollar companies that are paid to steal our attention and feed an algorithm at a time where kids brains are so susceptible and vulnerable to that stuff.

Play School star Rachael Coopes is an R U OK? Day ambassador. Picture: Tim Hunter

“I think it’s potentially causing the greatest amount of harm to so many young people. I’ve been pretty rigid in my rules and I think it’s easier when you have one (child), I don’t at all feel like a hero around this but we don’t have any iPad or gaming time Monday to Friday. Weekends he gets an hour a day.”

Coopes and fellow Play School host Luke Carroll are ambassadors for R U OK? Day, which is on Thursday.

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Her comments come days after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowed to introduce a bill to ban children from social media this year.

The minimum age is yet to be determined, although News Corp Australia is behind a campaign called Let Them Be Kids that has called for children under 16 to be restricted from having social media accounts.

Rachael Coopes for R U OK? Day. Picture: Tim Hunter

Coopes cited research however that showed some kids only felt connected through the online world and would not be okay with out it so including that part of the conversation when looking at legislation is important.

“For me it’s a hard no to a smartphone,” she explained, adding that some might not ask if someone is okay for fear of not knowing what to do if they are not.

“I don’t even know when in high school but I know that’s coming and it will be a hard time and that’s where legislation helps people because parents are struggling as it is with losing their teenagers and losing relationship with having to set so many boundaries and say no.”

She continued: “I feel like these days if your child gets through schooling with their mental health intact, it’s a privilege and a miracle.

“The world has changed and our young people are facing interesting times.

“It’s never too late to address mental health but I think the earlier we get tools in life, the easier our journey is and whatever gets thrown at us because we are inevitably going to get challenges.”

Do you need help? Lifeline: 131144; Beyond Blue: 1300224636; Kids Helpline: 1800551800.