Keeping Our Children Safe Online During the Holidays
As the school holidays approach, children often have more free time, more access to devices and, naturally, more opportunities to connect with friends online. While technology can be a wonderful way for children to learn, communicate and have fun, primary-aged children can be particularly vulnerable to some of the risks associated with social media and online platforms.
It is important for families to know that, since 10 December 2025, many social media platforms have age restrictions in Australia. Age-restricted platforms are required to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from creating or keeping accounts. These include platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, Reddit and X. The restrictions are designed to reduce children's exposure to harmful content and platform features that can encourage excessive use.
Why are primary-aged children particularly vulnerable?
Children in primary school are still developing the skills they need to manage online relationships, understand consequences and recognise when something is inappropriate or unsafe. Online interactions can quickly become complicated, particularly when children are communicating without the benefit of facial expressions, tone of voice or immediate adult support.
Some of the potential pitfalls include:
- Cyberbullying and exclusion – group chats and online games can quickly become places where children are excluded, teased or targeted.
- Exposure to inappropriate content – children may encounter content that is violent, sexual, frightening or simply not appropriate for their age.
- Pressure to participate – children may feel they need to respond immediately, share photographs, join group chats or follow what their friends are doing in order to fit in.
- Strangers and unknown contacts – children may not always recognise that someone online may not be who they claim to be.
- Sharing personal information – photographs, usernames, school details, locations and other information can be shared without children fully understanding the potential consequences.
- Excessive screen time – during holidays, it can be easy for online activities to gradually replace sleep, physical activity, family time, outdoor play and face-to-face friendships.
The permanence of online behaviour – screenshots can be taken and content can be shared well beyond the original audience, even when a child believes something has been deleted.
Holidays are a great time to reset
The school holidays provide an ideal opportunity for families to review technology habits and have some positive conversations about online safety.
Rather than simply telling children what they cannot do, consider talking together about:
What apps and games are you using? Ask your child to show you the platforms, games and websites they enjoy. This gives you an opportunity to understand how they work and identify any potential concerns.
Who are you communicating with? Check whether your child's online contacts are people they actually know in real life. Remind children that they should never arrange to meet someone they have only met online.
What information are you sharing? Talk about photographs, names, school uniforms, locations, passwords and other personal information. Encourage children to think before they post or share.
What would you do if something went wrong? Ensure your child knows they can come to you if they see something upsetting, receive an inappropriate message, are excluded from a group or feel uncomfortable about something that has happened online.
Most importantly, keep the conversation open. Children are much more likely to seek help when they know they will be listened to rather than immediately losing access to their device.
A family technology check-in
Over the holidays, families might like to establish some simple agreements around technology:
- Devices are used in shared family spaces where possible.
- Children don't take devices into bedrooms overnight.
- There are agreed times for devices to be switched off.
- Parents know which apps, games and platforms their children are using.
- Privacy settings are checked regularly.
- Children know how to block and report someone.
- Children know they can tell a trusted adult about anything that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
- Family time, outdoor play, sleep and face-to-face friendships remain important parts of the holiday.
Further support for families
The eSafety Commissioner provides excellent, practical information for parents and carers, including advice about social media age restrictions, online safety, cyberbullying, gaming, privacy and starting conversations with children.
We encourage families to explore:
eSafety Commissioner – Social media age restrictions and your family
eSafety Commissioner – Guide for parents and carers
eSafety Commissioner – Conversation starters for families
eSafety Commissioner – Parent resources
The holidays are a wonderful opportunity for children to relax, connect and have fun. With a little planning, open communication and appropriate boundaries, we can help our children develop safe and healthy relationships with technology.