Medibank Becomes 36 Months Health Sponsor, Rob Galluzzo Calls For More Brands to “Step Up”

Medibank has become the health partner of 36 Months, the Rob Galluzzo and Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli-fronted initiative fighting to implement a minimum social media age.

Rob, the founder of production company FINCH, told LBB the insurer sees “ways to get involved beyond just association.” 

“Within their company, they've got a lot of experts. So they're providing us with really great knowledge and information,” he said. 

“They're building up some programs that are real. It's those real, physical, rubber against the road changes. We'll be working with them to put in things that are real.”

That includes a range of mental health and wellbeing support services for young people and their parents or guardians. 

Rob said 36 Months is looking for more brands to step up like Medibank has, especially in the lead up to November, when the Prime Minister is expected to make a decision around what legislating a minimum social media age will look like. 

“We really only want the support of brands that are serious about stepping up and not just having a point of view, but wanting to live it,” Rob said. 

“If anything around healthy teen development and families is any part of their brand ethos, all we're saying is: Live it. Live it with us. Or live it without us. But step up.

“When we get to legislation change, the Australian public will actually start to see companies like theirs that live their purpose.”

Rob’s comments followed Wippa’s appearance on a SXSW Sydney panel alongside comedian Hamish Blake and author and educator Maggie Dent. Wippa demanded Prime Minister Anthony Albanese make a “captain’s call” instead of deferring to advisors like communications minister Michelle Rowland. 

Last week, the minister said: “The aim is to create positive incentives for digital platforms to develop age-appropriate versions of their apps.” 

Wippa criticised these comments, noting the tech platforms have “no interest in doing so from a commercial or business sense.” The Prime Minister, he said to applause from the SXSW audience, should “put his hand up and say the age is 16, deal with it.” 

According to Medibank, research shows excessive social media usage is rewiring young brains within a critical period of psychological development, leading to a surge in teenagers experiencing depression, anxiety, and loneliness. 

Medibank’s chief medical officer and practising psychiatrist Dr Andrew Wilson said, “We know social media can be  harmful to teenagers, in particular for younger teenagers aged 13 to 16, and is having a profoundly negative impact on their mental health.

“As a health company we see the human cost of the escalating mental health crisis in Australia, and we want to play a meaningful part of the solution to help improve the future for our kids.”

He noted people with mental health conditions are at a higher risk of developing chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. 

“If we can help support younger teenagers with their mental health and reduce rates of mental illness, this  could have an enormous impact on the health and wellbeing of the next generation of Australians.”

Rob added that “it’s vital that parents, educators, healthcare professionals, and the corporate community come together to not only shape policy but also shift the culture in how we support teens, ensuring they grow into thriving adults, and access to mental health support is a key part of that."

The partnership is about equipping young people with tools and support to stay resilient, Wippa noted. 

“This isn’t just a campaign—it’s a movement  to shift how we approach mental health for the next generation. I’m excited to see how we can create real, positive change together."