Wellbeing
WELLBEING
To help the online industry and the public to prepare for the Social Media Minimum Age obligation, eSafety has considered whether certain services are likely to be ‘age-restricted social media platforms’ and are therefore required to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from having social media accounts from 10 December 2025. Earlier today, we announced an update to the list of services that, in eSafety’s view, we consider will be age-restricted social media platforms. These platforms include:
- Kick
- Snapchat
- Threads
- TikTok
- X
- YouTube.
We also announced an update to the list of services that, in eSafety’s view, we consider will not be age-restricted social media platforms on the basis they do not currently meet the criteria for ‘age-restricted social media platform’. These platforms include:
- Discord
- GitHub
- Google Classroom
- LEGO Play
- Messenger
- Roblox
- Steam and Steam Chat
- YouTube Kids.
From 10 December, eSafety expects all age-restricted platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent Australian children under the age of 16 from having accounts. Any age restricted platforms which fail to do so may face enforcement action, including civil penalties of up to $49.5 million.
Technology changes quickly, so eSafety won’t publish a fixed list of age-restricted companies. Instead, eSafety will regularly share updated guidance on its website about how it assesses services and enforces compliance. When new platforms appear or the sole, primary or significant purpose of existing ones change significantly, they may be assessed again.
No online platform or service is risk-free, especially for children. Young people can still be exposed to harmful conduct such as cyberbullying and being asked to share nudes, and to content that’s inappropriate for their age like pornography and violent material.
You can always check the eSafety guide which is regularly updated with information and guidance on social media, games, apps and sites.
To help young people, families and educators, eSafety has released a package of resources, and will run live webinars to provide information and answer questions. Webinars for parents and carers, and educators and youth-service professionals are scheduled throughout November and December 2025.
eSafety’s dedicated online hub has tailored FAQs explaining what is happening, and how to prepare. It also includes:
- Practical guidance for parents and carers, including conversations starters and get-ready guides.
- Information for educators, explaining what the new restrictions mean for schools, and how to prepare students.
- Youth-friendly content outlining what the new restrictions mean for young people, and downloadable action plans and where to go for help and support.
“Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders”
St Luke’s Student Leaders Attend GRIP Leadership Conference
Last week, our twenty newly appointed student leaders proudly represented St Luke’s Catholic College at the GRIP Leadership Conference held at Castle Hill RSL. Joined by student leaders from schools across the district, the day offered a dynamic mix of interactive sessions, discussions, and workshops designed to equip emerging leaders with practical tools for the year ahead.
The morning began with “The Challenges at Our School,” a thought-provoking session encouraging students to identify and prioritise the most necessary challenges within their school community, rather than simply choosing what is easiest. Through group discussions and video examples, our leaders developed a clear action plan to guide their leadership journey in 2026.
During morning tea, an optional workshop on “Tips for Leading Houses” gave our students valuable insights into creating a positive, inclusive, and engaging experience for all members of their House — a particularly relevant topic for our St Luke’s leadership structure.
The second session, “The Challenges of a Student Leader,” explored the importance of integrity when navigating common leadership pressures such as meeting expectations, stepping out of one’s comfort zone, and building capacity.
Students then selected from engaging electives including “What Makes a School Event Successful?” and “Improving My Public Speaking,” both of which encouraged practical skills in communication and event planning.
After lunch, leaders participated in another round of electives, choosing between “Creating a Culture of Positive Friendships” and “Getting a New Idea Off the Ground.” These sessions highlighted the importance of teamwork, inclusion, and innovation in shaping a supportive school culture.
The day concluded with a Q&A session with the GRIP Leadership Team, giving our students the opportunity to reflect on their learnings and share insights with peers from other schools.
Our students returned inspired, confident, and ready to make a positive impact on our community through their leadership in 2026.
Student Leadership Day
Our Student Leaders came together for an inspiring workshop led by dedicated teachers at our College, focused on the essentials of leadership and what it takes to be an effective student leader.
Through engaging activities, thoughtful discussions and valuable insights from staff, our student leaders learned practical ways to foster a positive and supportive school community. They explored the key qualities of a great leader, the importance of listening and teamwork and how to lead by example in everything they do.
We’re excited to see how these young leaders will use their newfound skills to make a meaningful difference within their Houses and beyond. Here's to building a brighter, more connected community together!
Digital Reputation
Social media has become such an integral part of a teenager’s life that it can cause anxiety and lower their self-esteem. Modern teens are learning to do most of their communication whilst looking at a screen instead of another person. They are missing out on very critical social skills.
And dependant on what they are communicating online, it can affect their digital reputation. Friendships, relationships and even future job prospects are all at risk. As a parent, It is very important that you are aware of what picture they are painting of themselves online.
Once information makes its way online it can be difficult to remove. Images and words can be misinterpreted and altered as they are easily and quickly shared around. Privacy settings on social media sites need to be managed in order to protect your child’s digital reputation.
Access our School TV resources to provide you with a guide on how you can manage your childs digital use and assist them with their own management
https://stlukesmarsdenpark.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/social-media-and-digital-reputation
