And now a word from
Mrs Richards...
New social media rules for children under 16
As I am sure you are aware, significant changes come into effect on 10 December 2025 that will affect how children under 16 can use social media. These changes aren’t just technical — they're a big step toward protecting young people’s wellbeing, and it’s important we all understand them and work together at home.
Minimum Age Requirement
From 10 December 2025, many social media platforms will be legally required to prevent children under 16 from having accounts.
Which Platforms Are Affected
The age-restricted platforms include big names such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, Threads, and Kick. (Roblox may also be included)
What Happens to Existing Under-16 Accounts
Platforms must take “reasonable steps” to either deactivate or remove accounts held by under-16s. Some platforms may deactivate rather than delete accounts, meaning the user’s data (photos, friends, messages) could be preserved until they turn 16 — but this is not guaranteed.
Who Is Responsible?
The law places the responsibility on the platforms themselves — parents and children are not penalised if a child under 16 does create an account or keep one.
Why the Change?
According to the eSafety Commissioner, these reforms are designed to give young people “breathing space” to build real-world social and emotional skills without the constant pressure and design features of social media accounts.
Here are some practical ways to support your child through this transition:
· Talk Early and Openly
Explain the upcoming changes in a calm, matter-of-fact way. Let your child know what the law is, why it’s being introduced, and what it means for them.
Use this as a chance to talk about why the government made this decision — for example, to help protect young children from pressures or harmful content.
· Plan Alternatives Together
Discuss what platforms are still allowed (e.g., certain messaging, gaming apps) and how they can use them safely.
Help your child understand how to engage in online spaces in a balanced way — not just “no social media,” but how to connect safely.
Encourage real-life “offline” social interaction: friendships, community, hobbies.
· Set Family Guidelines
Review or establish a family policy around digital use: times of day for screens, what kind of content is okay, rules for sharing or posting.
Use the transition (before December) to reinforce digital literacy: what to do if they see upsetting content, how to report abuse, how to maintain privacy.
Make sure your child knows they can come to you (or another trusted adult) if something goes wrong online.
· Monitor and Support
Check in regularly: ask about what they are watching, what’s worrying them, or what they enjoy.
Help them understand age-appropriate content and encourage them to “take breaks” when needed.
Teach them about online boundaries, respect, kindness
These changes mark a significant shift in how we think about children and social media. As a school community, we strongly encourage families to embrace this as a positive moment — one where we can guide, protect, and empower our children, rather than leave them to navigate the online world on their own.
While it might seem tempting for a child to try to bypass these age restrictions, doing so can defeat the purpose of the protections being put in place. These new laws are not about punishment — they’re about creating a safer, lower-pressure online space during critical years of development.
If children are sneaking around these controls, they might expose themselves to the very risks these laws are designed to reduce. By working together, we can help them build healthy digital habits and resilience — so that when they do join (at or after 16), they’re coming in with more confidence, understanding, and self-regulation.
Here are some helpful resources for you and your family:
- eSafety Commissioner – Social Media Age Restrictions: Detailed FAQ, resources for parents, and videos to help start conversations. eSafety Commissioner
- eSafety – How the changes affect young people (under 16): Designed for kids — explains what’s changing and why. eSafety Commissioner
- Australian Government / Infrastructure Department: Fact sheet on the new minimum age rules. Infrastructure & Transport Department
- Alannah & Madeline Foundation: Commentary on the social media age change and child safety. Alannah & Madeline Foundation
- Child and Adolescent Health Service (WA): Local health-service overview of the changes and why they matter. cahs.health.wa.gov.au