https://www.esafety.gov.au/

Navigating the social media changes

From 10 December 2025, certain social media platforms won’t be allowed to let Australian children under 16 create or keep an account, giving them more time to develop important skills and maturity.

Quick facts about the age restrictions, and how they may impact schools:

The age restrictions are likely to apply to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube as well as other platforms. See the latest list.
Under-16s will still be able to see publicly available social media content that doesn’t require logging into an account.
Schools may need to explore alternative methods for communicating with parents and students.
There are exclusions for a number of platforms, including educational tools such as learning management systems. For example, Google Classroom and YouTube Kids will not be age restricted, and You Tube videos that can be seen without logging in can still be shared by teachers.
For further guidance, including whether educators will be able to use their own accounts to share age-appropriate education materials, please refer to school or sector policies and procedures.

Today, eSafety launched new pages on the social media age restrictions hub, designed to support parents and carers, educators and young people, as we prepare for the restrictions to come into effect.

The eSafety hub is your go-to resource for preparing your school community, from understanding how the age restrictions affect schools to accessing tools that help you communicate these changes to students and parents,

Answers to frequently asked questions

eSafety consulted widely with educators, parents and carers and young people, and has developed up-to-date guidance, advice, and answers to frequently asked questions, including:

How will the age restrictions impact schools that use social media
How should schools respond if a student under 16 is found to have access to an age-restricted account?
What if something goes wrong while an under-16 is on an age-restricted platform?

Find answers to these questions and more, at the hub.

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SchoolTV

Because parenting doesn’t come with instructions, SchoolTV is a wellbeing resource that can support you in the challenges relating to modern-day parenting.

This award-winning resource helps build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers to navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It can assist in starting conversations on topics that are sometimes awkward or difficult to tackle.

St Laurence O'Toole Primary School subscribes to SchoolTV and anybody can access their invaluable resources via our website at www.stlleongatha.catholic.edu.au

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