New Social Media Regulation for Children Under 16

From 10 December 2025, a new Australian regulation will take effect with the aim of making social media safer for children under the age of 16 by delaying access to high-risk platforms.

As a College community, we recognise that our students are growing up in a world that is both highly connected and increasingly complex. While digital platforms provide opportunities for learning and social connection, they also present risks that require careful management.

This regulation is not a ban on social media, but rather a safeguard to ensure young people are better prepared to engage with these platforms when the time is right. It is designed to support parents and schools in guiding children towards safe, responsible, and positive online experiences.

Protecting Our Children Online

Today’s young people are growing up in a digital world, and it is vital that we support them in learning how to navigate it safely. The new regulation provides young people with more time to develop the skills needed to manage the risks associated with social media. By introducing this change, the eSafety Commissioner is working alongside online platforms to foster a more positive and secure environment for young people.

This initiative recognises that while the online world offers opportunities for connection, creativity, and fun, it also presents challenges such as cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content. It is an opportunity for parents and educators to work together to help young people grow into responsible, confident, and resilient digital citizens.

Under the new rules, high-risk social media platforms are required to take “reasonable steps” to prevent children under 16 from creating accounts. Importantly, this is not about penalising children or parents if such measures are bypassed. The primary goal is to safeguard our children and guide them towards building safe and healthy relationships with technology.

What Is the New Social Media Age Limit?

The new law will make it mandatory for platforms to take steps that prevent children under 16 from signing up or maintaining accounts. This applies to popular platforms such as:

Instagram
Snapchat
TikTok
Facebook
X (formerly Twitter)
Reddit
YouTube / YouTube Shorts

Some platforms are NOT included in this law. These exemptions include:

Messenger Kids
WhatsApp
Google Classroom
Gaming platforms

Why This Matters for Parents

This social media ban will affect how young people interact online. If your child already has a social media account, or has been looking forward to signing up, you may experience pushback, confusion or worry.

Now is the ideal time to reset expectations, review safety habits and build trust. We encourage parents to use this moment as a conversation starter, rather than a confrontation.

5 Things Parents Can Do Right Now

Talk early about what’s changing
Ask your child, “Have you heard about the new age limit for social media?” Give them time to share how they feel and what they’re worried about.
Review current accounts together
Sit down and look through their existing apps or profiles. Talk about what might need to change and how they’d like to handle it.
Make a plan for staying connected
Help your child choose safe, age-appropriate ways to stay in touch with friends, like messaging apps or family-approved chat options.
Discuss the risks of getting around the rules
Explain why using someone else’s ID or downloading VPNs might seem like an easy fix, but can lead to bigger problems. Keep the tone supportive.
Keep teaching safety skills
Even if your child is stepping away from certain platforms, continue to build their skills for privacy, kindness, and help-seeking in all online spaces.

Resources for families

We all have a part to play in helping our kids stay safe. Continuous conversations and clear rules at home are just as important as these new regulations. To help you on this journey, there are many valuable online resources available.

eSafety Parents Page: This comprehensive guide from the eSafety Commissioner provides advice on everything from parental controls to handling cyberbullying.
The eSafety Guide: Find information on different social media, games, and apps, including their age requirements and how to protect your personal information.
Family Tech Agreements: Create a family agreement with your children to set clear rules about device usage and online behaviour.

By staying informed and working together, we can help our children thrive in the digital world while keeping their safety and wellbeing a top priority.

Ms A Xerri

Assistant Principal (Campus Director DRC)

Miss N Meade

Assistant Principal (Campus Director DSC)

Careers Corner