Why Jana Pittman says social media could’ve changed her youth

Former Olympian and mum of six, Jana Pittman believes that having access to social media as a young athlete could have been a game-changer for her — a perspective she shared as Australia moves to impose a minimum age for users.

Former Olympian and mum of six, Jana Pittman believes that having access to social media as a young athlete could have been a game-changer for her — a perspective she shared as Australia moves to impose a minimum age for users.

Speaking ahead of her keynote address at the NQ Women’s Leadership Forum on Friday, Dr Pittman weighed in on the potential ban of social media for those under 16, offering a unique perspective shaped by her careers, motherhood, and experiences in the public eye.

Reflecting on her experience before the social media boom, Dr Pittman admitted that having a platform to connect directly with fans and share her side of the story could have made a significant difference during her career’s highs and lows.

In the mid-2000s, she faced intense media scrutiny, even earning the moniker “Drama Jana,” which badly impacted her self-confidence.

Jana Pittman spoke at the NQ Women's Leadership Forum in Townsville. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“I think I would have liked to have had it more present,” she said.

“It would have given me an avenue to talk to my fans and say, ‘I’m sorry I said that, I shouldn’t have done that,’ or at least given my own side of the story.”

Jana Pittman, is comforted by former athlete Debbie Flintoff-King (R), after her fifth place in final of women's 400 hurdle at Olympic Stadium during 2004 Games in Athens. Picture: Craig Borrow.

Now, raising children in a digital world, she acknowledges social media’s complex nature and the challenges it brings to parenting.

“I guess with the social media age with children, it’s hard,” she said.

“Who are they looking at? Who are they aspiring to be? It’s a difficult conversation because I want my children to be educated, not just academically, but also in a social setting, and that’s where social media can play a positive role.

“But I hope that parents can have those conversations with their children to make sure that they’re looking and talking and seeing the right information.”

Dr Pittman, who is known for being authentic online, believes that transparent and relatable public figures can influence young people positively by offering realistic views of success and self-growth.

“If you look at my social media … I talk about nits in kids’ hair, and I talk about periods and incontinence,” she said. “So I think you need to have ambassadors out there, like me, that are prepared to wear it, warts and all.”

Jana Pittman, with her six children, Willow, Cornelis, Emily, Charlie, Jemima, and Quinlan. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

The road to where she is now hasn’t been easy. Beyond athletic setbacks, Pittman has faced a cervical cancer scare, a career-changing injury, and three miscarriages, yet she has always bounced back stronger.

“I think the hardest lesson I’ve probably learned is to learn to like who is on the inside,” she shared.

“You know, I did have a lot of negative media as a young person, and I’ve always been a bit quirky and different. As a result, your confidence drops, and you don’t feel like you’re enough.”

She says truth growth came when she was able to embrace her unique qualities rather than striving for external validation.

After retiring from sports, the former World Champion hurdler and dual-season Olympian switched careers, becoming a doctor in women’s health in Sydney.

She offered advice to others considering a career change but may be hesitant to take the leap.

“I’m what’s called a pessimist, so I like to look at a situation and say, ‘What is the worst-case scenario? How bad could this get?’ And if you can live with what that worst-case scenario is, it’s absolutely worth giving a crack,” she advised.

Originally published as Why Jana Pittman says social media could’ve changed her youth