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What parents need to know
Image source: esafety.gov.au
From 10 December 2025, Australian law will require social media users to be at least 16 years old. This change aims to protect young people from risks such as cyberbullying, grooming, scams, and the addictive design of platforms that are known to negatively impact mental health, sleep, and self-esteem. The law places more responsibility on tech companies to enforce age limits and use age assurance technology.
Working together matters. Schools and families also share the responsibility of supporting young people through this transition. Parents play a vital role in helping enforce the law at home and modelling healthy digital habits.
Here are some helpful tips to assist teens and their parents as 10 December approaches.
Helping Young People Adapt to Social Media Restrictions
- Start now: Begin conversations early about the changes and how they might affect your child emotionally and socially. Give them time to adjust and plan together.
- Stay calm and curious: Listen without judgment. Social media may feel like a big part of their identity.
- Ask open questions: Use prompts like “What do you think about…?” instead of yes/no questions. Allow time for them to respond, even if it takes days.
- Validate their feelings: Acknowledge that change can be hard, especially when friendships and identity are involved.
- Focus on strengths: Remind them of their creativity, resilience, and problem-solving skills.
- Find alternatives together: Explore other ways to meet the needs social media fulfilled such as sports, hobbies, volunteering, or creative projects.
Tips for Families to Adapt
- Reduce screen time gradually: Start cutting back before 10 December to make the transition easier.
- Create screen-free zones: For example, no phones at the dinner table.
- Lead by example: Reduce your own social media use to show solidarity.
- Use tools wisely: Apply screen time limits or parental controls to help manage habits.
- Seek support: It’s okay not to have all the answers. Use trusted resources like the https://www.esafety.gov.au, talk to other parents, and reach out to https://www.beyondblue.org.au if you feel overwhelmed. Two useful pages of esafety,gov.au are the Social Media Age Restriction Hub and Which social media platforms are age-restricted?.
Kylie Wolstencroft
Director of Wellbeing – Penquite
