From the Leadership Team

Understanding Australia’s New Social Media Laws for Under-16s 

Over my 30+ years as an educator, I can confidently say the past decade has been the most challenging. Since around 2010, when the iPhone 4 put a front-facing camera in our hands and Instagram launched, educators have grown increasingly concerned about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health, sleep, attention, and social development. 

As educator and psychologist Jonathan Haidt writes in his excellent book, The Anxious Generation: 

“We did not just give kids a phone; we gave them the entire internet, with almost no adult supervision, at the most vulnerable stage of brain development.” 

You can imagine our collective relief when the Australian Government acted, introducing national laws that significantly change how children under 16 can access social media. These laws are not about punishment; they are there to protect childhood, reduce harm, and place responsibility back on social media companies whose platforms are designed to capture attention and maximise engagement. 

The need-to-know facts: 

Why the law exists 

• Children under 16 may not hold accounts on certain social media platforms. 
• This is a federal law, applying in all states and territories. 
• Responsibility sits primarily with social media companies, not families or schools. 
• Platforms must take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-16s from creating or maintaining accounts. 

• Parents and children are not fined or criminalised for breaches. 

   

Platforms currently covered 

• Instagram 
• TikTok 
• Snapchat 
• Facebook 

• X (formerly Twitter) 

   

This list may expand. While gaming platforms and group chats are not currently included, they can still carry risks. Messaging services, educational platforms, and tools used under adult supervision (including Endeavour’s learning platforms) are not the target of this law. 

What happens in practice 

• Under-16 accounts may be blocked at sign-up or removed later if identified. 
• Platforms use various age-assurance methods, with mixed success. 

South Australian law: 

An important reminder 

Although South Australia does not have a separate social media ban, it has strong laws governing online behaviour. 

It is illegal (for children and adults) to: 

• stalk or harass someone online 
• threaten or intimidate others digitally 
• share sexual or invasive images without consent 

These laws apply to everyone and can carry serious consequences. 

As a school leader who has often helped families respond to the “mess” social media can create in a child’s life, I am hopeful these laws will reduce harm and protect innocence. However, schools and families cannot rely on legislation alone. The law is most effective when paired with vigilant parenting and ongoing education at home and school. 

How families can support children at home 

1. Keep devices in shared spaces: 

   Bedrooms should be screen-free at night. 

   Charging devices outside bedrooms supports better sleep and wellbeing. 

2. Delay social media, not conversations 

   Talk openly about how social media is designed to work. 

   Explain that waiting is an act of care and protection, not punishment. 

3. Use parental controls as support, not snooping 

   Set limits on apps, screen time, and content. 

   Be transparent with your child about what you monitor and why. 

4. Ask curious questions 

   “What apps do kids your age talk about at school?” 

   “Have you ever seen something online that made you uncomfortable?” 

5. If something goes wrong 

   Stay calm — children disclose more when they don’t fear punishment. 

   Save evidence (screenshots or messages). 

   Block and report harmful content (eSafety Commissioner or SAPOL). 

   Contact your child’s Head of Village at Endeavour as early as possible. 

These laws represent a significant cultural shift. They acknowledge that children deserve protection and the freedom to grow up at the right pace. Our shared role, as adults, is to provide boundaries, guidance, and a clear message that sleep, mental health, learning, and healthy relationships matter more than any online activity. 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like further support. We value our partnership with you and are committed to helping our students grow into confident, healthy, and connected young people — both online and offline. 

Louisa Mulligan 

Head of Middle School