Student Wellbeing & Mental Health

From the Wellbeing Zone 🌿

Social media and primary school aged children 

As everyone will be aware, Australia has now introduced social media minimum age legislation that restricts children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Snapchat, platforms that are algorithm-driven and designed to maximise screen time by manipulating attention and emotion. Children can still text, call, message friends and play games together.

The aim of the new legislation is to:

• Reduce exposure to harmful content
• Protect children's mental health

• Limit risks such as cyberbullying and online exploitation

   

Research has increasingly linked early social media use with:

• Anxiety and low self-esteem
• Interrupted sleep
• Reduced focus, concentration and emotional regulation

• Exposure to inappropriate or distressing content

   

Primary school-aged children are particularly vulnerable because they are still developing:

• Emotional regulation
• Critical thinking
• Social confidence

One of the major benefits of the new legislation for families with primary school-aged children is that it provides clear backing when saying "not yet" to social media. The change gives you extra time to talk about online safety and wellbeing with your child, helping them to prepare for the risks and pressures of social media when they turn 16. It provides a valuable opportunity for children to build digital, social and emotional skills, and to understand the importance of reaching out for help if things go wrong.

For further information - 

Online safety | eSafety Commissioner

Safe Socials – For parents and carers (Primary) | vic.gov.au

Wellbeing in Practice 💡

What can families do to support children with the new social media legislation?

Dr Justin Coulson, in one of his Happy Families Schools Insights articles about the new Social Media Legislation (you can read the full article HERE), suggests 3 practical things that parents can do right now -  

1 . Explain the Why

Children engage in better ways when they understand the “why”. Rather than relying on “it’s the law,” explain — in age-appropriate ways — how platforms make money, why algorithms push outrage, violence, or reactionary content, and how this affects users.

2. Replace, Don't Just Remove

Removing social media without replacing connection creates frustration. Helpful alternatives include phones that call and text but limit apps, parental controls (agreed to by everyone in healthy conversations), offline games, sport, hobbies and face-to-face time. Connection is essential. Algorithms are not.

3. Model Healthy Digital Habits

Children learn more from what they see than what they’re told. Keep phones out of bedrooms, take breaks from social media yourself, and show that play, connection, and rest matter. A play-based childhood needs play-based adults.

Kim Bedford | School Counsellor / Social Worker 

Upcoming Workshops / Other Information

Online Safety - ESafety Commissioner - Free Webinars for Parents and Carers

These live webinars give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safer online experiences. 

Yellow Ladybugs 2026 Conference – Reclaiming the Past to Shape the Future

Yellow Ladybugs is a non-government organisation, dedicated to the happiness, success and celebration of autistic girls, women and gender diverse individuals. This three-day event (2-4 June, 2026), Supporting Autistic Girls and Gender-Diverse Students at School and Beyond, brings together over 50 lived and professional perspectives from around the world. It’s led by an autistic-run charity that has always stood proudly for empowerment, understanding, and community. Together, we’ll explore how far we’ve come and how much further we can go through neuro-affirming, trauma-informed discussions that celebrate growth, belonging, and hope.

For more information - 

Anglicare Parentzone Newsletter - Parenting in the East What's On Term 2 2026

News and information on programs, services, groups and events to support parents across the Eastern Region of Melbourne. Some of the upcoming (and free!) programs for Term 2 include Tuning in to Kids, Talking Teens, Dads Matter, Emotion Focussed Parenting & the Strengthening Parents Support Program (for parents & carers of children with a disability, developmental delay or neurodivergence - including ASD, ADHD & AuDHD) - 

Podcasts of Interest

Pop Culture Parenting - Pop Culture Parenting — Guiding Growing Minds

Well, hello Anxiety - Podcast - Dr. Jodi Richardson

Parental as Anything - Parental As Anything with Maggie Dent and Bec Sparrow  - ABC listen

The Imperfects - The Imperfects Podcast

ParentZone Pods

Podcasts for parents, carers and those who support others with their parenting. The ParentZone Teams are delighted to bring you TWELVE ParentZone Pods. Each Pod identifies and explores common issues parents bring to our parenting groups and offers strategies to try in these situations. 

Podcast Series 1

Episode 1: Family Meetings

Episode 2: Dealing with Anxiety

Episode 3: Sibling Rivalry

Episode 4: Getting Children to Listen

Episode 5: How to Respond to Kids' Behaviour

Episode 6: How to Stop Yelling at your Kids 

Podcast Series 2

Episode 1: Positive Discipline

Episode 2: School Refusal

Episode 3: Parenting our Teenagers

Episode 4: Meltdowns vs Tantrums

Episode 5: Couples Parenting Together

Episode 6: Dads Parenting Today

ParentZone Pods can be found on our website, Apple and via Spotify