Pastoral Care
Upcoming Changes to Social Media Laws: What Parents Need to Know
The Australian Government has recently passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, which introduces new national laws designed to protect young people online. These laws will come into effect on 10 December 2025.
Under this legislation, children under the age of 16 will no longer be permitted to create or maintain accounts on platforms classified as age-restricted social media services. The responsibility for enforcing this restriction rests with the platforms themselves, which must implement age-verification and monitoring systems to comply.
The aim of this reform is to support healthy development and reduce exposure to online risks such as cyber-bullying, exploitation, misinformation, and addictive design features. The Office of the eSafety Commissioner will oversee compliance and continue to provide education and resources for families and schools.
What This Means for Families
For many young people, social media plays a central role in communication and identity formation. The upcoming changes may therefore require some preparation and conversation at home. Students who are currently under 16 will need to consider alternative ways to connect with friends and participate in online communities. Those turning 16 soon may experience new verification processes or temporary account restrictions.
This is an important opportunity for families to guide children in developing balanced digital habits, strengthen offline friendships, and encourage responsible online engagement as they approach adulthood.
Supporting Your Child Through the Transition
- Start the conversation early
Discuss the reasons behind the new laws. Focus on wellbeing, safety, and long-term digital literacy rather than punishment or restriction. Young people are more receptive when they understand why a change is occurring. - Review current use together
Encourage your child to reflect on which platforms they use, how these affect their mood and time, and what alternatives exist for staying connected. - Strengthen real-world connections
Support participation in sports, arts, volunteering, and community activities that build confidence and belonging outside social media. - Model positive online behaviour
Children mirror adult habits. Setting healthy examples around screen time, digital boundaries, and respectful communication can make a significant difference. - Stay informed
Follow updates from the eSafety Commissioner (esafety.gov.au) and use their parent guides on social media, gaming, and screen time. These resources explain how to manage transitions, privacy, and online safety in practical terms.
The introduction of a minimum age for social media reflects a growing recognition that online safety and wellbeing are shared responsibilities between government, industry, schools, and families.
While this transition may feel challenging at first, it provides an opportunity to reset online habits and ensure young people engage with technology in age-appropriate, purposeful ways.
If you would like additional resources or support materials to assist with family conversations, please visit eSafety Parents
Please download the flyer below to access the links for further information. An 8-step action plan is also available to help your teen get ready for the social media age restrictions.
Ms Meg Ryan - Leader of Pastoral Care