Month: September 2025

Categories
Opinion/Commentary

Social media challenge saves Australians money

Image: Canva

It’s nearly the end of September.

It’s no secret that people around the world are struggling financially. According to news.com.au, RBA boss Michelle Bullock admitted that the cost of living wasn’t easing, despite a decrease in inflation.

According to Caitlin Davey on the ABC, Instagram creator, Lou Gibson, aka ‘The Money Mum‘ took on ‘No Spend September’. She took on the challenge for the past two years. She told the ABC why she took on the chalkenge:

It’s mainly to stop unconscious, habitual, spending and to focus on all the wonderful things in my life that are completely free.

(‘No spend September is kicking off on social media to help people save,’ Caitlin Davey, 31 August 2025)

Gibson wasn’t the only one. She is part of a growing number of people who swore to ditch takeaway coffee and other luxuries throughout the month of September.

Financial literacy advocate, Ketvi Roopnairainwas positive about the challenge.

About ‘No Spend September’

What is No Spend September? No Spend September is a global social mefia trend where creators vow to eliminate unnecessary spending throughout September. Currently, there are 1757 posts with the hashtag #nospendseptember on TikTok.

Image screenshot from TikTok

No Spend September gained some traction on Instagram, too, amassing over 1,000 posts.

Screenshot of Instagram hashtag #nospendseptember

Here are some of yhe Instagram creators who took on the trend:

  • madison.hungerford, by her own admission, is very self – sufficient. However, she describes herself as a “Costco addict”. She tod her followers she will only buy cream for coffee.
  • A Purposeful Home: Andrea offered a course on reducing spending
  • the.brokegeneration suggested people go into shops only to take a photo of items to trick the brain and provide the same dopamine hit
  • sweewtfrugallife offered six tips when doing the challenge. They were:
    • Tell your friends
    • Seek free community events
    • Remind yourself why you’re doing the challenge
    • Unsubscribe from non – essential emails and social media accounts that tempt you
    • Prepare meals in advance
    • Forgive yourself for slip ups

The impact of No Spend September

When Gibson did the challenge last year, it had a positive impact on her family. Her family had:

More family time, park plays and board games meant that we didn’t feel deprived.

In my opinion, it seems like No Spend September could reveal to people what really is important.

Alternatives to No Spend September

No Spend September may not work fpr everyone. If you believe that may be you, Roopnairain suggests selling your unused belongings for extra money. She even suggests getting rid of thirty belongings in thirty days. She also suggests looking at utility plans and try and get the best one. You can also megotiate for better deals with your current utility company.

No Spend September isn’t bad, but it doesn’t change the real issue

I think No Spend September (and selling unused possessions) isn’t bad. It may be good for some peoole, or at least offer some financial relief.

However, it’s important to point out that this doesn’t fix the state of the economy. The issue of the economy goes beyond middle – class (and lower – class) families. Unless those who hoard wealth, buy multiple properties, making the cost of housing worse, avoid paying taxes, many families will continue to struggle.

Categories
Opinion/Commentary

Teens delete TikTok to combat negative body image

Image: Canva

For years, parents, teachers and health professionals have worried about how social media affects children and teenagers.

Over the past decade, many young people have experienced cyber – bullying. In response, the Australian Labor Government recently introduced a bill banning children under the age of sixteen from certain social media platforms, including: Snapchat, Meta (Facebook), TikToknand YouTube.

Another issue affecting young people is body image. Not surprisingly, Instagram images and reels and TikTok videos often portray unattainable beauty standards and lifestyles.

Now, researchers are realising that getting off social media can reverse some of these negative effects.

Researchers reveal that deleting social media reverses harm

Image: Canva

According to Lauren Novak, researchers from Flinders University had teens deleting social media, especially TikTok. Psychologist and researcher, Dr Simon Wilksch has raised alarm in social media and its impact on body image. He’s vocally backed Australian Government’s ban on social media for children under sixteen.

He’s also urged governments to offer more treatment options. for young people with eating disorders.

Dr. Wilksch told Herald Sun:

As a psychologist working with people with an eating disorder, I see the devastating toll these illnesses can take.

Social media platforms are image and video-based, constantly giving users the meesage. that how they look is important and that efforts to change their appearance will lead to greater likability by others.

(’Devastating toll’: Aus researchers team up with teens to fight TikTok – fuelled eating disorders, Lauren Novak, Herald Sun, 15 September 2025)

Dr. Wilksch highlights how teenagers are vulnerable, due to peer relationships and their need for acceptance.

The research

A trial by the Media Smart Targeted (MST) included over 500 13 to 25 – year – olds across Australia and New Zealand.

Dr. Willksch said that the rate of young people seeking help for eating disorders has doubled over the past twelve years.

On the I Am Media Smart Fact Sheet, Dr Wilksch recorded:

  • 50% of boys and 75% of girls between 13 – 25 report having poor body image
  • A study of 1,000 Year Seven and Year Eight students revealed 52% of girls and 45% of boys have recently displayed disordered eating behaviour

Poor body image is linked to many health issues, including:

  • Higher risk of depression
  • Higher risk of anxiety
  • Low self – esteem
  • Self – harm
  • Substance abuse
  • Sleep disorders
  • Unhealthy relationship with food (no surprise, really)
  • Unhealthy relationship with exercise
  • A drop in academic performance
  • Lower school attendance
  • Poor peer relationships

Parents of children under sixteen granted consent for their children to be surveyed. Participants over sixteen gave their own consent.

What can be done to help young people struggling with body image?

Content warning: this part of the post deals with suicide

Dr. Wilksch encourages schools and health practitioners to display the MST data.

Obviously, healthcare for young people needs to be adequate. Unfortunately, services like Headspace — which is meant to help young people within that age group — are often ill – equipped to help young people in dire circumstances. Unfortunately, they don’t have enough qualified psychologists and psychiatrists that deal with issues as severe as self – harm and severe mental illness.

Unfortunately, too many inpatient services aren’t properly equipped either. In 2011, Albury Councillor, Stuart Baker and his wife Annette lost their only daughter, Mary to suicide. She was only fifteen and had a long battle with an eating disorder after an abcess removal and root canal treatment.

Paeditricians initially dismissed Mary’s inability to eat, telling Stuart and Annette that it was “all in her head”. She battled the eating disorder for three years before tragically losing her life.

In the aftermath of Mary’s death, Stuart, Annette and their two sons have worked tirelessly to end the stigma around mental health and suicide. For years, Stuart and Annette held the Survivors of Suicide and Friends Winter Solstice to help people who’ve lost loved ones to suicide.

Mary Baker’s tragic passing exposed the fatal flaws in youth mental health system and the need for better treatment for young peoole with eating disorders.

It’s great that the media is shining a light on youth mental health, the effects of social media and disordered eating. I hope society keeps up with the fight and finds a solution that saves future generations.

If you are in crisis, please call 000 (or your national emergency number).

If you’re in Australia and need help, you can contact Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 or visit the website.

If you need help with an eating disorder, you can visit the Butterfly Foundatiin website.