Nationwide Social Media Changes
From 10 December, some social media platforms will be restricted for children under the age of 16. This means they won't be able to create or keep an account.
You may have questions on how this will work. That's why the eSafety Commissioner is running sessions for parents and carers to understand the changes and what impact it will have.
Webinars are free, run for 30 minutes, and are available throughout November and December. Sign up here: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars
The new rules say that children must be 16 years or older to have an account on major social media platforms such as:
- TikTok
- Snapchat
- YouTube (main site)
- X (Twitter)
- Threads
- Kick
Platforms like WhatsApp, Messenger, Discord, Roblox, Steam, Google Classroom and YouTube Kids are not included in these restrictions because they are mainly used for messaging, gaming or learning.
How You Can Support Your Child at Home
1. Have a gentle conversation: Talk with your child about why these changes are happening. Explain that it’s about keeping kids safe, not stopping them from connecting with friends.
2. Look at their apps together: Ask your child to show you:
- what apps they use
- any accounts they have
- how they talk with friends online
Doing this together builds trust and helps them feel supported.
3. Use parental controls if needed: Most devices let you:
- approve which apps can be downloaded
- set age limits
- block certain apps or websites
Apple devices: Settings → Screen Time
Android/Google: Family Link app
4. Help them stay connected in safe ways: If your child uses a social media platform that will soon be restricted, consider safer alternatives such as:
- Messenger or iMessage
- supervised Discord
- Roblox or other monitored gaming platforms
- YouTube Kids
These options let children stay social without being on platforms meant for older teens.
5. Encourage honesty online: Some children may try changing their birthday to appear older. Please remind them that:
- platforms are bringing in better age checks
- false ages are usually caught
- their accounts could be removed later anyway
- it’s safer to wait until they turn 16
How We Will Support Students at Seaford Park
At Seaford Park Primary School, we will continue to:
- teach safe and responsible online behaviour
- talk to students about using age-appropriate apps
- communicate with families through our usual school channels (not student social media)
support students if they feel worried or confused about these changes
