As Australia introduces restrictions on social media platform access for children from 10 December 2025, many parents and carers are wondering how this will impact their children, and what they can do to support them through the transition.
What is the Social Media Age Restriction?
While the debate continues, the social media age restrictions are intended to protect young Australians from the pressures and risks of using social media. According to Ctrl+Shft, from 10 December, social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat etc.) will be required to block or remove existing and new accounts belonging to children under 16 years old.
However, private messaging apps (like iMessage or Whatsapp) or gaming platforms with chat features (Minecraft or Roblox) aren’t included, as they aren’t considered social media platforms.
The platforms will require a range of verification tools but cannot provide a government ID (such as a birth certificate) as the only option of verifying your age.
Why the Restriction?
Research and many real-life experiences of children and young people have indicated the negative impacts of social media and online platforms on their health and wellbeing.
With the world evolving more than ever with technology, so too are the issues that come with the pressures and risks of using social media for young people. Some of the negative risks that children and young people can be exposed to include:
- cyberbullying and harassment
- being sent pornographic or violent content
- online grooming
- increase in mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, stress etc.
- and much more.
How Can Parents and Carers Prepare?
We understand the challenges that may come with this transition for many children and families, particularly with the fact much is unknown about this world first restriction.
Like any other big life change, children and young people benefit from having guidance, where they can feel understood and genuinely cared for. Parents and carers can help by supporting children to understand the reasons for the change,
and what the restrictions will mean for them. They can also support by planning for alternate entertainment activities, and by reassuring their children with the feelings that come with the change.
The changes are more likely to meet with resistance from older children and teens, who may feel frustrated or even angry about losing social media access. They may even be discussing ways to get around the ban without getting caught. Stay attuned to how they feel, because hearing them out is important for your children.
The way parents and carers explain the change matters.
What Can You Do?
Here are some ways you can guide ongoing conversations around social media and online safety with your children:
1. Start with empathy and curiosity:
“What do you know about the social media changes happening soon?
How do you and your friends think and feeI about this?
I know social media is a big part of how many young people connect with their friends, but you will still be able to do this in different ways.
Let’s figure this out together and try some things out.”
2. Use evidence, not fear:
Discuss what the social media restrictions are and changes in a supportive, fact-based way:
“The government is not banning social media; they’re just delaying access to social media accounts to children until they’ve reach 16 years old.
This is so children and teens can have time to develop and build healthy relationships without the pressures of social media.
The responsibility will be on the platforms themselves to stop under 16s from having social media accounts, and penalties will apply to the platforms, not to parents or children.
This will hopefully also provide us both with more time and opportunities to build our skills in navigating the online world safely. How about we have a look together at some online sites that help us both understand the changes?”
3. Reframe the situation as a health choice:
“Just like eating healthy or exercising, we all need to learn to use the online world in healthy and safe ways, and these changes are about trying to create safer online environments for children.
What have you learned so far about staying safe and healthy online?”
4. Offer alternatives to social media:
“Let’s think of other ways you can stay connected with your friends?
Can you start a group chat on WhatsApp?
Would you like to go to a skate park with your friends after school? Who would you like to invite over? Would you like to use my phone to call/message your bestie after school?”
Parenting Tip:
It’s important to provide opportunities for children to inform you what they know. They are experts of their needs and how they feel, and it’s important as adults we provide space for that.
These are just some of the ways that we, as parents and carers, can help our children build healthy relationships and give their growing brains the time they need to understand boundaries and make safer choices online.
Reach out to Parent Line
As Parent Line NSW Counsellors, we are here to listen to your concerns and discuss practical ways to support you and your children during this time of change.
Please reach out and speak with one of our counsellors for more support or guidance specific to your family’s needs on the topic of social media changes, or any parenting concern, large or small.
Calls with our parenting counsellors are free and confidential, open 7 days a week. Contact us by calling 1300 1300 52 or click below.
