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:

Facebook
Instagram
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

From the Office