STRONGER TOGETHER: Unplug24 – Disconnect to Reconnect

"STRONGER TOGETHER" is a weekly column where Tanya explores key issues. This week Tanya discusses Wayne Holdsworth’s mission, motivated by the tragic loss of his son Mac last year, to combat suicide, cyberbullying, and sextortion through his SmackTalk charity and the Unplug24 initiative.

By IMPACT Community Services Managing Director Tanya O'Shea

Every day in Australia, eight families are shattered by the loss of a loved one to suicide. For Wayne Holdsworth, this devastating reality hit home on October 24, 2023, when his 17-year-old son Mac tragically took his own life. In the wake of this unimaginable loss, Wayne has transformed his grief into a mission: to save others from the same fate.

This mission has taken shape through a charity called SmackTalk, a name that carries deep personal meaning. While “smack talk” often refers to playful banter, it holds a powerful new significance here. The name honours Mac, who was an avid basketball player, while also taking aim at the darker side of online interactions—cyberbullying and sextortion. These are not harmless jabs or jokes; they can have fatal consequences.

Wayne’s message is simple but urgent: listening saves lives. Through free, 40-minute SmackTalk sessions, Wayne and his team aim to equip people with the tools to really listen. Whether it’s in a sporting club, school, or business, these sessions are designed to break down the barriers that prevent meaningful conversations. Many, like Mac, may say they’re “fine,” but these sessions focus on how to dig deeper, how to truly hear the unspoken struggles behind those words. With over 3,200 Australians lost to suicide in 2023 alone, these efforts could not be more critical.

Cyberbullying and Sexual Extortion: A Silent Epidemic

Another element of SmackTalk’s mission is addressing the alarming rise of cyberbullying and sexual extortion. Both issues disproportionately affect young people, and the consequences are devastating. Sextortion cases have skyrocketed by nearly 400% in the last 18 months, a terrifying trend that leaves young victims feeling trapped and hopeless. Mac was terrorised by a predator—a 45-year-old man pretending to be a 15-year-old girl tricked him into sending sexual photos and then used the threat of publication to financially blackmail him.

Just as shocking is that more than half of all young people in Australia have experienced cyberbullying. One such tragedy struck close to home in Bundaberg, where 14-year-old Isla Marschke was driven to take her own life after sustained online bullying. Her story echoes that of so many others, reminding us that these faceless attacks have real, heartbreaking, and far-reaching consequences.

Unplug24

To raise awareness and funds, SmackTalk is launching Unplug24, a simple but powerful initiative. On Thursday, October 24, Wayne is asking people to stay off social media for 24 hours to honour Mac’s memory and to help save lives.

Taking a break from social media might seem like a small gesture, but this act of unplugging serves many purposes: it encourages a mental reset from the toxicity of online platforms, supports human connections and deep conversations, increases awareness about the dangers lurking in digital spaces, and raises funds to support vital programs like SmackTalk’s suicide prevention and sexual extortion awareness sessions.

The loss of Mac, Isla, and so many others is a tragedy we must confront together. As you read this, we will have already completed the challenge, but it is not too late. This issue is too critical to limit to one day a year. Pick a day – any day - where you commit to staying off social media for 24 hours and ask your friends and family to join you. Together we can create change, and hopefully prevent further tragedies and help young people get the support they need.

Learn more about the work of Wayne Holdsworth and SmackTalk here: https://smacktalk.com.au/