Home and Away star Ada Nicodemou joins new campaign to unplug from social media

The Home and Away star has grown some pretty thick skin after all her years in the public eye, but one thing has her really worried as her 12-year-old son prepares for high school.

Home and Away soap star Ada Nicodemou’s young son Johnas often stars in her Instagram posts, but allowing him his own phone and social media is a frightening prospect.

With the 12-year-old starting high school next year, the actor said she will probably give him a mobile phone, but she is well aware of the pitfalls, especially after reading the tragic story of Mac Holdsworth.

The 17-year-old took his own life in 2023 after being harassed online by a predator.

That’s why Nicodemou is backing Unplug24, a campaign to boycott networking platforms for 24 hours on October 24, the first anniversary of Mac’s death.

Ada Nicodemou is worried about her son joining social media. Picture: Jeremy Greive

The idea was the brainchild of Mac’s dad Wayne, who has set up a suicide prevention charity called SmackTalk in memory of his son, and to raise awareness of dangers such as sextortion, bullying and depression.

So far, Unplug24 has seen a wave of support from household names including singer Jessica Mauboy, Health Minister Mark Butler and fitness instructor Michelle Bridges, who have pledged to be silent on social media on October 24.

Others who have come forward to back the campaign include former commando and Hollywood actor Damien Thomlinson, comedian Rob Shehadie, and fashion designer to the stars Nicky Apostolopoulos, under the name Velani.

“I really feel for kids,” Nicodemou, 47, said. “Trying to navigate this as he (Johnas) gets older will be hard.”

Unplug24 is a movement to have a 24-hour break from social media on October 24. Picture: Supplied

She said she has a “love, hate relationship” with social media because it is addictive.

She occasionally gets negative comments from trolls and while she tries not to let them bother her, she said she would be lying to say they don’t have an impact.

“The longer we can keep kids of social media the better,” she said.

For fashion designer to the stars Apostolopoulos said it’s a “powerful reminder” of how vulnerable children can be and the “importance of creating safe environments for them to grow and thrive.”

“I’m mindful of the impact of social media on my own life - I’m guilty of mindless scrolling and having one last look before I go to bed and first thing in the morning,” she said.

“As an adult I need to set an example for the generations around that look up to me as a role model.

“By actively working to reducing my time on social media I’m not only setting a positive example but also encouraging them to prioritise real-life connections, meaningful interactions and being present.”

Thomlinson, who lost both his legs in a Taliban bomb blast, went into sport and acting after the accident, starring in the 2016 blockbuster Hacksaw Ridge, where he worked alongside Andrew Garfield, Vince Vaughn and Mel Gibson.

He’s lost friends to suicide.

Former commando Damien Thomlinson knows what happens when someone having “dark thoughts” turns to social media. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“I also know first-hand what can happen when a person already having dark thoughts turns to social media, and it can very quickly lead down an unproductive path,” Thominson said.

“I personally believe that the cumulative effect of social media could be the final push for someone in a vulnerable state. The bullying, judgement, division – social media can bring out the very worst in people.

“For me, switching off socials for a day is saying no to the fake world people create online that can impact how people perceive their real life.

“It means more conversations in person, less doom-scrolling, less craving for likes, follows, less exposure to potential bullying and judgement, and everything that comes with social media.”

Actor Rob Shehadie believes we should “let kids be kids”. Picture: Monique Harmer

Actor and comedian Rob Shehadie stressed the importance of discussing suicide and social media’s effects, warning that silence can leave people isolated and vulnerable.

“Let the kids be kids. Let them be influenced by their siblings and their school friends who are a small circle of love,” the Here Come the Habibs star said.

“Social media can sometimes break that circle of trust and allow outsiders to get in and influence the children in a negative way which then puts pressure on them.

“That alone time can be a dangerous place, especially for our kids. That alone time is the devil’s playground where he gets into the minds of our children.”

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