Student Wellbeing & Mental Health
Lysterfield Primary Student Wellbeing and Mental Health Team
Social Media Delay for Under-16s: What Parents & Carers Need to Know
At Lysterfield Primary School, we are committed to promoting cyber safe behaviours and helping our students navigate the digital world with confidence and care. As part of this commitment, we want to draw your attention to important changes announced by the Australian Government regarding age restrictions on social media platforms. Starting 10 December 2025, children under the age of 16 will no longer be permitted to create or maintain accounts on age-restricted social media platforms. These changes are designed to reduce online risks and support healthier, more focused learning environments for all students.
What’s Changing?
Under-16s will no longer be allowed to create or maintain accounts on
age-restricted social media platforms.
- Platforms must take reasonable steps to remove existing underage accounts and prevent new ones from being created.
- This is not a ban - it’s a delay in access until children turn 16.
Why This Matters
Social media can expose children to:
- Harmful content
- Excessive screen time
- Online pressure and peer comparison
- Risks to mental health and wellbeing
The delay gives children more time to grow emotionally and socially before navigating complex online environments.
Which Platforms Are Affected?
Likely included:
- Snapchat
- TikTok
- X (formerly Twitter)
- YouTube
Excluded:
- Online gaming platforms
- Standalone messaging apps (unless they include social media-style features)
Positive Impact
- More focus in class, reduced distractions, and stronger protection from unsafe content.
- Children will have more time to develop resilience and digital literacy before engaging with social media.
- Families can foster healthier online habits and better sleep routines.
What You Can Do
- Talk to your child about the changes and why they’re happening.
- Review parental controls and screen time settings.
- Help them find alternative ways to connect with friends.
- Stay informed through resources from the eSafety Commissioner.
Enforcement & Support
- Platforms must show they’ve taken meaningful steps to comply.
- Appeals processes will be available for mistakenly removed accounts.
- eSafety will offer webinars and resources to help families navigate the transition.
School Contextual Information
- Proactive teaching and learning in school regarding cyber safe behaviours.
- Teaching and learning regarding the Digital Technologies curriculum.
- Policies that promote child safe online behaviours, such as:
- Acceptable Use Agreement
- Bully Prevention
- Child Safety and Wellbeing
- Child Safety Responding and Reporting Obligations
Visit the eSafety Commissioner’s website for FAQs, downloadable flyers and tips for talking with your child.
Neil Butler | Student Wellbeing Advisor
Upcoming Workshops / Other Information
Michelle Mitchell - Preparing for High School Webinar
https://michellemitchell.org/you-who-preparing-for-high-school/?mc_cid=af7cf47d3f&mc_eid=bf6b75bec7
Eastern Parentzone - Term 4 Newsletter
https://www.anglicarevic.org.au/about-us/newsletters/eastern-parentzone-term-4-2025/
Podcasts of Interest
Well, hello Anxiety - Podcast - Dr. Jodi Richardson
Pop Culture Parenting - Pop Culture Parenting — Guiding Growing Minds
Parental as Anything - Parental As Anything with Maggie Dent and Bec Sparrow - ABC listen
The Imperfects - The Imperfects Podcast