This Made Me Stop
Issue No. 3: Social Media Bans, Working with Constraints, the Voice in Your Head
The Problem with Banning Social Media Is That It’s Social
This article reviews valuable (but not very surprising) data about the Australian social media ban. Carl Hendrick uses the evidence to explain why efforts like this won’t work—and what strategies have a better chance. This is an important read for educators, parents, and anyone else who is trying to figure out how to address social media concerns with young people. Spoiler alert, here are his recommendations (still read the full piece):
Complying to social media restrictions without being pushed to the social periphery.
Recruiting high‑status early movers.
Providing alternative social infrastructure (sports, clubs, online and offline spaces) that fills the time and connection the platforms used to fill.
Pairing all of this with friction at the device level (defaults, screen‑time controls, age‑gating at operating‑system level).
Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better
Full transparency, I’m still reading this one. Nonetheless, I feel it’s worth sharing. David Epstein’s newest book explains “why limits are the key to stimulating creativity, innovation, collaboration, and personal contentment.” You’ve likely experienced this yourself without realizing it. I’m excited to put what I have learned so far into practice. For those of you looking for a tool you can use immediately, here’s a downloadable workbook from IDEO via ReMarkable that uses constraints to promote innovative thinking.
Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It
Dr. Lenny Wiersma recommended this book, so I gave it a shot, and it did not disappoint. It’s a quick read that weaves research and case studies into an understandable argument. By the end, you walk away with a toolbox of practical skills to harness your inner voice and better manage your response to life’s challenges. Being skilled with the voice in your head will transform your daily experience.