This week on Friday I’m In Bed, Gem and Kate unpack three stories that sound like “helpful advice” on the surface… until you realise who they’re aimed at and what they’re really saying.

First up: the government’s obesity tsar suggesting smaller restaurant portions “for women and others with lower calorific needs.” Is this sensible public health policy — or just diet culture and sexism dressed up as concern? Gem and Kate talk portion sizes, “ladies portions,” calorie labelling, disordered eating, and why being policed on the rare occasion you eat out feels completely backwards.

Next, they dive into copying vs inspiration — and why plagiarism is thriving online. Using the Sweaty Betty “Wear the Damn Shorts” controversy as a case study, they discuss whether you can own a slogan, the ethics of big brands lifting creator work, and why “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” is usually just a polite way to excuse lazy theft.

Finally: Australia’s under-16 social media ban. It’s been widely praised — but has it actually been thought through? Gem and Kate question why platforms like Discord, WhatsApp, gaming chats and Roblox seem to have been ignored, why teens will always find a workaround, and why parenting, boundaries and critical thinking still matter more than a blanket ban.

If you like midlife chat, smart cultural takes, and the occasional rant (okay, quite a bit), this one’s for you.

Topics include: women’s portion sizes, obesity policy, diet culture, calorie labelling, body image, eating disorders, plagiarism and copying online, Sweaty Betty, creator rights, social media bans, teen internet safety, Discord, WhatsApp, Roblox, fake accounts, VPNs, and digital parenting.

We do discuss calories and mention eating disorders in this episode. If you are struggling, contact BEAT

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/get-help-for-myself/i-need-support-now/helplines/