Senior Learning Update
Mr Matt Byrne, Executive Director, Learning & Wellbeing
Supporting Families Through the New Social Media Age Delay
On Monday evening, I was delighted to welcome well over 120 Kinross Wolaroi School parents, both in person and online, to a seminar on the forthcoming Australian social media age restriction laws. The session was hosted by Kirra Prendergast, a leading Australian expert in cybersafety.
Kirra outlined the The Australian 16+ Age Delay, noting that from 10 December 2025, social media platforms will be required by law to prevent anyone under 16 from creating or maintaining a social media account. This will apply to platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, X/Twitter, and likely a quite a few more.
The new law is designed to protect young people from predatory algorithms and platforms, especially those whose business models rely on hooking young attention and harvesting engagement. The new law places the responsibility squarely on platforms, rather than families, and provides a welcome buffer for our children’s wellbeing.
The change means an under 16 child’s accounts are likely to be de-activated and photos, messages, streaks and creative work could be lost.
Kirra outlined the need to support children through this transition and the best approaches. Key messages included:
- Begin conversations early, with curiosity and openness rather than restriction.
- Involve children in planning the change, so they retain a sense of agency.
- Taper usage gradually to avoid sudden disconnection.
- Acknowledge that some individuals will experience this as a genuine loss, and be ready to listen.
Replace online connection with real-world opportunities for belonging, creativity, and friendship.
I encourage all families to download the guide below and use it as a tool for ongoing discussions at home. Kirra has also kindly provided a recording of the seminar for those parents who were unable to attend – see the link at the end of this story.
At Kinross Wolaroi, we fully support this national move. It complements our own device philosophy, which already includes a ban on mobile phones at school. The benefits for students will be significant — reduced exposure to online harms, stronger opportunities for personal connection, and greater focus on learning and wellbeing.
I would like to extend sincere thanks to our Parents & Friends’ Association for their insight and generosity in funding this seminar. Your support makes an enormous difference to our school community.
As December approaches, I encourage you to remain actively engaged with your children in preparing for this change. Together, we can help them transition with resilience and confidence, ensuring their digital lives remain balanced, safe, and healthy.
Download the guide:
FAQs: The New Social Media Age Delay
When does the change come into effect? From 10 December 2025, children under 16 will no longer be able to create or maintain social media accounts.
Will my child lose their photos, messages, or creative work? Possibly. Each platform will handle deactivation differently. We encourage families to export and save important content well before the change.
Can I give permission as a parent for my child to keep their account? No. This law places the responsibility on platforms, not parents. Parental consent cannot override the restriction.
What if my child lies about their age? New “age assurance” technologies will make it much harder to bypass the rules. Platforms that fail to comply face penalties of up to $49.5 million.
Does this apply to gaming apps? Not automatically. The restriction applies to apps where the main function is social interaction and content sharing (e.g. Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook). Games such as Minecraft, Fortnite or Roblox are currently excluded unless they evolve to behave like social media platforms.
Is this permanent? The policy will be reviewed within two years of implementation, but families should prepare for it as a long-term change.
What are the benefits of this change?
- Reduced exposure to harmful online content.
- Protection from algorithms that target young people.
- A chance for children to reset their digital footprint.
- More space for real-world relationships, creativity, and wellbeing.