Podcast Summary: Más de uno – “Los modernitos: Australia prohíbe el acceso a redes a los menores de 16 años”

OndaCero | December 10, 2025 | Host: Carlos Alsina

Overview

This episode of “Más de uno,” led by Carlos Alsina, explores Australia’s new policy banning minors under 16 from social media, sparking a lively debate among the panel about the implications, possible outcomes, generational perspectives, and digital upbringing. Alongside, the team provides their signature humor, playful banter, and touches on Christmas traditions, tacañería (stinginess), and modern traffic controls.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Holiday Banter and “Scrooging”

• The show starts with comedic exchanges about Christmas traditions, particularly the timing of playing villancicos (Christmas carols) and playful critiques about colleagues’ singing abilities.
• Irene attempts to collect “aguinaldo” (a Christmas tip) by singing “Mi Burrito Sabanero,” resulting in a mock revolt and the assertion that such traditions should wait until December 22.
• The panel introduces the term “scrooging”:
  • Definition: Leaving a romantic partner before the holidays to dodge the costs associated with gifts and celebrations.
  • [09:01] D (Irene): “...es gente que cuando viene la fiesta dejan a la pareja para ahorrarse algún dinerito.”
  • The team debates if this is a real trend and asks listeners for related stories.

2. Generational Divide and “Spotify Wrapped” Moments

• Emilio brings up Spotify Wrapped, discussing how it highlights generational differences in music habits.
• Panel members share their “musical age,” exaggerating the generational gap:
  • [15:02] C (Emilio): “El Spotify Rap lo que hace es un recopilatorio que hace la aplicación de música… te sale además esta vez la edad musical que tienes.”
  • [15:44] D (Irene): “...me ha salido 77 años y artista más escuchado Taylor Sweet y Hannah Montana…”
  • Alsina expresses bafflement at the trend, underscoring the recurring “modernitos vs. boomers” motif.

3. Theme Focus: Australia Bans Social Media for Under-16s

• Emilio introduces the major news: Australia’s outright prohibition of social media for minors under 16, enforced via mandatory age verification and sizeable fines for platforms that don’t comply:
  • [17:09] C (Emilio): “Australia... ha aprobado la prohibición de que los menores de 16 años usen redes sociales y las plataformas están ahora mismo temblando un poquito.”
  • Affected platforms: Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Threads, X (Twitter), YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, etc.
  • Technical and privacy concerns:
    • [18:50] C (Emilio): “Eso no es problemático porque la gente tendría que dar muchos datos personales...”
    • [19:29] C (Emilio): “...para que funcione de verdad habría que pedir datos biométricos de todos los adultos también.”

Arguments For and Against the Ban

• Support:
  • Some parents appreciate government help in limiting screen time and mitigating addiction.
  • Alsina and Begoña think it might help kids avoid online dangers until they're more mature.
• Concerns:
  • Others warn that this prohibition could push adolescents into less supervised/safer corners of the internet and may result in massive data collection by tech companies.
  • [20:23] D (Irene): “Entiendo que también hay que evitar que la gente se adicte al móvil… pero prohibirles casi todas las plataformas. No sé.”

Generational Experiences

• Emilio and Irene, both self-described “nativos digitales,” reflect on their adolescence with early social networks (Tuenti, Facebook) and how today’s relationships and self-esteem are wrapped up in social media presence.
  • [21:47] C (Emilio): “...veo las consecuencias de que estemos obsesionados con los likes, estemos obsesionados con subir cosas, que somos esclavos de publicar contenido...”
• Debate: Is the perception of danger exaggerated by older generations (“boomers”) or grounded in reality?

Listener Engagement

• The team invites audience participation:
  • [17:55] C (Emilio): “...además de historias de tacaños, historias de opiniones sobre prohibir redes sociales a menores de 16 años. 609-831-034 a favor o en contra.”
  • Listeners are encouraged to share personal experiences or opinions, both from digital natives and older cohorts.

4. Parenting, Law, and Limits

• Begoña and Alsina discuss whether these limits should be a matter of law or education.
• Dilemma: Some parents restrict access, but if one parent allows it, the effort is undermined for whole peer groups.
  • [23:09] C (Emilio): “...luego hay algún padre dentro del grupo de amigos del cole que sí que deja que su hijo tenga redes sociales. Entonces eso luego contamina...”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:13] A (Alsina): “Es peor que se ha escuchado en Onda Cero en años.” (Joking about out-of-tune caroling)
• [09:01] D (Irene): “...es gente que cuando viene la fiesta dejan a la pareja para ahorrarse algún dinerito.”
• [15:44] D (Irene): “77 años y artista más escuchado Taylor Sweet y Hannah Montana. Es como esta persona de 77 años tiene un gran mundo interior...”
• [18:47] B (Begoña): “Eso no es problemático porque la gente tendría que dar muchos datos personales, que precisamente ahí está el lío...”
• [21:47] C (Emilio): “...veo las consecuencias de que estemos obsesionados con los likes... entiendo que igual es bueno que no tengan acceso a estas redes sociales.”
• [23:41] A (Alsina): “...lo que hay que hacer es que las familias donde tenéis hijos adolescentes no podáis tener acceso a internet.”

Additional Content: Humor and Side Topics

“Tacaños” (Stingy People) Listener Stories

• Listeners contribute tales of friends and colleagues notorious for dodging rounds at the bar or penny-pinching at gatherings.
  • [13:09] E (Listener): “...teníamos un compañero que como sabía que la gente duraba una hora, él siempre esperaba hasta la última ronda... así siempre pagaban dos personas o tres…”

Traffic Light Revolution (“Olas verdes”)

• Emilio shares how certain cities (e.g., NYC, Portland) are reprogramming traffic lights:
  • “Olas verdes” (green waves): Traffic lights coordinated for reduced speeds and fewer accidents.
  • “Rest in red”: At night, all lights default to red, turning green only upon car detection to curb speeding.
  • [25:03] B (Begoña): “Pero ¿Qué están haciendo exactamente? Porque eso de priorizar la seguridad suena muy bonito...”
  • [26:04] C (Emilio): “en Nueva York han visto bajar un 33% los atropellos en los cruces...”
  • The segment closes with classic show banter about differences in New York over the years and playful nostalgia.

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [09:01] - Explanation and debate on "scrooging"
• [15:02–16:58] - Spotify Wrapped generational conversation
• [17:09] - Introduction of Australia's social media ban for under-16s
• [18:22–22:10] - Advantages, technical doubts, and privacy implications
• [22:18–23:41] - Parenting, the law, and whether to prohibit or educate
• [13:09] & [13:40] - Listeners' stinginess stories (“tacaños”)
• [24:38–27:14] - The “green wave” and other traffic light innovations

Tone and Style

• Playful, irreverent, and conversational, punctuated by humor and friendly teasing between generations.
• The hosts oscillate between lighthearted anecdotes and serious analysis of social issues and technological developments.

Conclusion

This episode deftly blends insight and entertainment, dissecting a complex policy development (Australia’s social media ban for under-16s) while grounding it in relatable, everyday experiences and cultural commentary. The generational problem—how technology affects teens and the broader implications of government intervention—is presented in a way that both informs and invites further reflection, all wrapped in “Más de uno’s” characteristic humor.