What Families Need to Know
From 10 December 2025, new changes to Australia’s social media laws will come into effect as part of the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024. These changes aim to better protect young people from the risks associated with early exposure to social media.
What’s Changing?
Under the new legislation:
- Social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), Threads, and Kick will be required to prevent children under the age of 16 from creating or maintaining accounts.
- The responsibility for enforcing these restrictions lies with the platforms themselves—not with parents or children.
- Platforms that fail to comply may face penalties of up to $49.5 million.
This is not a ban on internet use but a shift toward greater accountability for tech companies. The goal is to ensure children have more time to develop the social, emotional and digital skills needed to navigate online spaces safely.
Supporting Your Child Through the Transition
We understand that these changes may be challenging for some families, particularly for young people who already use social media to connect with friends, explore interests, or seek support. Some ways you can support your child include:
- Start the conversation early: Talk about the upcoming changes and how they might feel about them.
- Listen with empathy: Acknowledge their feelings and any concerns they may have.
- Focus on strengths: Remind them of their creativity, resilience, and ability to adapt.
- Explore alternatives: Encourage other ways to stay connected, such as apps not affected by the ban (e.g. WhatsApp and Messenger Kids) or offline activities.
[beyondblue.org.au]
Helpful Resources for Parents and Carers
To support you during this transition, we recommend the following resources:
- School TV: Access School TV resources via our College website. A special report outlining the changes has been released:
SPECIAL REPORT: New Social Media Regulations: What you need to know | Salesian College – Chadstone - eSafety Commissioner – Parents Hub: Webinars, guides, and tools to help families navigate online safety:
Visit eSafety Parents Hub
Videos to help you talk with your child about the changes are available here:
Social media age restrictions and your family| eSafety Commissioner - Beyond Blue: Mental health support and tips for helping young people adjust to social media restrictions.
Read more at beyondblue.org.au - ReachOut – Social Media Guide for Parents: Insights into how teens use social media and how to support them through change.
Explore ReachOut’s Guide - UNICEF Australia – Parenting and Social Media: Tips for discussing online safety and digital wellbeing with teens.
UNICEF Social Media Parenting Guide - Digital Child Resources: Research-based articles and practical advice on children’s digital lives.
Visit Digital Child
View the 8 Step Guide from the eSafety Commissioner to help support these conversations at home here
Supporting the Growth of Good Christians and Honest Citizens
At Salesian College Chadstone, we believe these changes will ultimately benefit our students. By reducing the pressures and distractions of early social media use, young people can enjoy more meaningful relationships, productive study time, opportunities to pursue their interests, and healthier sleep routines.
If you have any questions or would like further support, please reach out to us at the College.
