Technology News

An Update : Age Restrictions and Roblox

Dear Parents and Carers,

In the last edition of the newsletter I included an article about the upcoming Social Media restrictions and how, in partnership we can support our children to understand the restrictions and adjust to them.

ROBLOX RESPONDS TO CALLS FOR ACTION

Since the last newsletter there has been quite a bit of news around the Roblox Gaming Platform. Roblox is the most popular online gaming platform in the world, with hundred of millions of daily users. I know for a fact that many of our students at St Cecilia's are frequent users of the platform. I also know that from talking to parents, family and friends Roblox is a much misunderstood platform among many adults.

What is Roblox?

The key misunderstanding that many adults and parents have is that Roblox is a n online game that is for kids. The truth is that it is a gaming platform that contains millions of games, developed by both the Roblox developers as well as many, many user developed games and worlds. The games largely are 3 dimensional worlds in which players' characters interact with each other. 

There have been a number of news stories recently talking about the exposure to inapproriate content and the risk of children being targeted by adults on the platform. As you can imagine, such a vast platform is very hard to regulate, and that is the key issue that too many parents have not understood. Roblox is not something you can let your children use without close supervision and understanding of.

In response to recent reports, Roblox announced recently that they would be introducing new age verification technology which uses facial scanning. Ability to communicate and access content will now be grouped into a number of age ranges:

• under nine
• nine to 12
• 13 to 15
• 16 to 17
• 18 to 20 
• over 21

Users will then be able to chat with their age group or similar age groups, depending on their age and the type of chat.

Kids under 13 will not be able to chat with other users outside of games unless they have explicit parental permission. 

For more information about Roblox, the risks and how you can better monitor your child's use click on the links to the articles below.

Supporting Students With Social Media Restricitons

I have spent time in technology classes in over the last couple of weeks speaking to the students about the restrictions, particularly in the senior grades.

We went over what the restrictions were, the reason they are being introduced and who has responsibility for implementing the changes.

Whilst I spoke to the students about the importance of being honest when identifying their age on the various platforms, I also made the point strongly that the Social Media companies themselves are the ones responsible for enforcing the restrictions.

One of the risks of banning access to these platforms for children under 16 is that children may become more reluctant to disclose troubling or concerning online instances for fear that they or their friends might get in trouble. I really emphasised that the students that it still and always is vital to tell a trusted adult when things go wrong online, even and especially if the instances take place on restricted social media platforms.

It is going to be so important that parents involve themselves in supporting their children in navigating online and digital behaviours in the following ways:

1. Understand what’s changing and why 

   Find out what the new social media delay will mean for under-16s:

   • Age-restricted platforms will likely include Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X and YouTube. Find the latest list.
   • Under-16s will still be able to see publicly available social media content that doesn’t need an account. They’ll also have access to apps and platforms that are mainly designed for online messaging and gaming, as well as online services that share health and educational information and support.
   • Check our FAQs for parents and carers – this is being kept up-to-date with the latest official information.
   • Visit eSafety’s social media age restrictions hub to learn more about the new law.

   • Talk about the change with your friends and community, as well as your child’s school, to see how they are dealing with it.

      

2. Start the chat

   Don’t wait until December – use this as an opportunity to start having open, ongoing chats with your kids about social media, the new law, and how you can support them through the change.

   • For example, start by asking what they think of social media – the good and the bad – then go from there. eSafety’s conversation starters have lots of tips to help you.
   • Talk about the new law and explain why it’s happening. Help them understand it’s about protection, not punishment.
   • Listen to what they have to say and talk about their feelings. Let them know it’s OK if they’re upset, confused or worried – these emotions are normal, especially for young people experiencing change or uncertainty.
   • Reassure them that they’re not alone, many of their friends and families are navigating this change too.

   • Let them know they can talk to you without judgement, or with a free, confidential counselling or support service – especially if they’re ever worried about their online safety or their health and wellbeing.

      

3. Help them map their digital world

   Find out which platforms, people, groups, communities and services are most important to your under-16. Here are some questions you can ask:

   • Which apps and platforms do you use the most?
   • Who do you mainly connect with on these platforms?
   • Which chats, groups, creators and communities are you likely to lose access to?

   • Are there any support services that you use via these platforms?

      

4. Encourage them to keep connecting with friends

   Help them plan and organise alternatives with their friends:

   • Suggest they make plans to catch up in person and explore offline activities – see our tips for balancing your time online for suggestions.
   • Prompt them to ask close contacts for their phone numbers before 10 December, if they don’t already know them. But remind them they should never share phone numbers or other sensitive personal information in public posts or with anyone they don’t know in person – find out more about protecting your identity.
   • They should also ask friends for any gamertags or profile names on any other apps and platforms they use.
   • You could also suggest they organise regular phone catch ups or stay in touch through an age-appropriate online chat or video app or by email.

   • Encourage them to move group chats onto age-appropriate messaging apps. Help them download new apps if necessary, add trusted contacts and create new groups and chats before 10 December.

      

5. Explore safer ways they can belong to communities

   Get them to think about the communities they’re part of on social media and how else they can access those.

   • Encourage them to make a note of their favourite influencers, streamers and celebrities (their account names/handles/gamertags) so they can look them up via a web browser.
   • Help them search for alternative apps, websites or games that are high-quality, age-appropriate and related to their interests and life experiences – especially ones that encourage creativity, learning or mindfulness. Look for features like moderated chats, strong privacy settings and trustworthy news content.
   • If they rely on social media for support, they could explore these ReachOut pages that have lists of national, state and territory-based services and ways to connect:– Support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peopleExternal link– Ways to connect with community if you’re a First Nations young personExternal link– Yarn upExternal link – a space where young First Nations people access wellbeing resources and support.– Support services for culturally and linguistically diverse young peopleExternal link– Culturally diverse LGBTQIA+ support services and groupsExternal link– LGBTQIA+ support servicesExternal link

   Remind under-16s that even platforms which are not age-restricted can have risks. This means young people still need to know what to do about difficult situations like being cyberbullied or being asked for nudes, and how to protect personal information and report online harms. I need help is a good page for them to bookmark.

   Visit our Parents section for more information on common online safety topics and check The eSafety Guide for advice on how to protect privacy and report harmful content on common platforms, games, apps and sites.

    

6. Help them save their digital memories

   Platforms are meant to remove accounts belonging to under-16s. Instead of removing accounts, some platforms may deactivate them so they can be reactivated with all their existing data when the user turns 16. However, under 16s should not rely on platforms to provide this option. It’s best to download any data they want to save before 10 December.

   • Let them know they can take screenshots or download their favourite posts, chats, photos or videos (the platforms should provide instructions on how to do this, or you can check The eSafety Guide for help).
   • Offer to help store them in a folder on a device or hard drive like a laptop or USB, or in cloud storage (you could give them access to a shared drive for this, if you have one).

   • Each platform’s ‘Help’ or ‘Support’ section should have more information on what will happen to underage account data and content.

      

7. Start reducing your social media use together

   To ease into this change and avoid last-minute stress, discuss how they can begin winding back their social media use now – and make this a family effort by role-modelling the shift.

   • Help them mute notifications, unfollow others and set goals to reduce screen time, so they don’t have a hard stop on 10 December – and make a conscious effort to cut back your own scroll time.
   • Encourage routines that promote a healthy balance, like taking regular breaks together from social media, creating device-free times and spaces in your home, and allowing more time for exploring offline activities together – see our tips for balancing your time online for suggestions.
   • Use parental controls to help set limits and support balance – but first talk with your under-16 about what these controls mean, and (if possible) decide together how long they’ll be kept on.
   • Discuss what to do about the use of shared devices or accounts in your family, household and other places your under-16 spends time, such as with another parent, grandparent or carer. Talk together about managing access appropriately.

   • Celebrate progress each week, acknowledging your under-16’s shift towards more age-appropriate platforms and digital habits that support their safety and wellbeing. 

      

8. Know where to find support

   This is a big change and it will take time for young people to adjust. It’s important they understand that help is available – and that you know where to turn if you need help to support your child.

   • Remind them they can always come to you or another trusted adult such as an older sibling, auntie or teacher if they’re finding it hard to deal with the social media change or any other issue.
   • Let them know it’s also OK for them to contact a free, confidential counselling or support service like Kids HelplineExternal link (for 5- to 25-year-olds), eheadspaceExternal link (for 12- to 25-year-olds), Beyond BlueExternal link (for all ages) or another one on eSafety’s counselling or support service list. They won’t get into trouble.
   • Make sure they understand that if something goes wrong online they should reach out for help, even if they’re under 16 and on an age-restricted platform. Suggest they bookmark eSafety’s I need help page, or put this link somewhere they can always find it, like on your fridge: eSafety.gov.au/I-need-help.
   • Dealing with under-16s who can’t have social media accounts will be challenging for many parents and carers. It’s important that you also reach out for help if you need it.
   • ReachOut has advice on how to choose from a range of optionsExternal link (including talking with someone you trust, a counsellor or online support service, or a community forum). It also has coaching for parents and carers of teensExternal link, as well as advice on dealing with family conflictExternal link and helping young people cope with changeExternal link.
   • These are more options:– Counselling and support services– Kids helplineExternal link– ParentlineExternal link– Raising Children NetworkExternal link– Family Relationships Advice LineExternal link– A family mediation serviceExternal link– Your child’s school counsellor or head of wellbeing or year coordinator– Your local doctor or community nurse

To Learn more click on the link below

Kind regards,

Matthew Mooney

Deputy Principal and Technology Leader

TERM 4 ONLINE SAFETY WEBINARS (Repeat)

Our Term 4 Webinars focused on how students can keep their information safe online and how to be on the look out for potential scams and other online dangers. The parent information sheets below are a great resource and conversation starting tool between you and your children.