From 10 December 2025, Australia will introduce world-first legislation restricting social media access for children under 16. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube, and X will require age-assurance measures, with companies facing penalties of up to $49.5 million for non-compliance. Importantly, this law does not penalise children or families, it places responsibility on tech companies to protect young people’s wellbeing by delaying access to these platforms.

1. Positive accountability - as restricting social media does not automatically make children’s online activities “safe”.

Decreasing social media use will certainly affect issues like social comparison and cyber bullying. However, these problems will still exist, especially online. There will continue to be a combination of wholesome and unsavoury interactions and material on the internet, available on personal computers, tablets, and mobile devices. Consistent with expert advice, such as that of our partner organisation YourChoicez, we encourage physical and technology-based monitoring of your child’s internet use, regardless of the effectiveness of the social media ban.

2. Positive activities - as restricting social media does not automatically reduce screen time.

Social media is just one of the many reasons why young people are drawn to technologies like mobile phones (some call this addictive behaviour). As pointed out in an article for The Lancet Digital Health, “Social media use likely replaces or is combined with other screen-based activities, such as TV or gaming, rather than in-person interactions. When banned, children might shift to other platforms, such as gaming, messaging apps, or YouTube, which are exempt from the ban.”[1] Therefore, even when the legislation takes effect, parents should continue to model and enforce heathy technology use, in particular ensuring children have no mobile devices in the bedroom overnight. Similarly, this summer is an opportune moment to encourage physical interaction (e.g. board games) and outdoor activities to replace the time spent on social media.

3. Positive conversations - as restricting social media does not remove the need for ongoing family discussions around technology use, social choices, and decision making.

In October, the Parent Institute held an event called “Brave Parenting Conversations in the Middle School Years”. Parents of Year 6, 7, 8 and 9 students were supported with knowledge and strategies to approach important conversations, which was warmly received. Children need their parents to discuss complex issues with them, even though they may not always seem that talkative. The pastoral and wellbeing structures we have in school are designed to complement, not replace the important conversations going on at home. The teacher/parent relationship is truly a partnership with the best interests of the students at the centre and we will be hosting similar events next year so more parents can be involved.

Ultimately, the challenge we have this summer is uncertainty. It is not clear exactly how this will work, or what the impacts on children will be. However, uncertainty has always been the challenge of parenting. We invite Barker parents to consider enrolling in the four-week Confident Parent Course that we will be hosting at Barker in Term 1, 2026. This course equips parents to reclaim agency in family life. Instead of trying to “fix” children, parents learn to adjust their own responses, creating a calmer emotional climate. This aligns perfectly with the current shift: rather than fearing the loss of social media, families can use this time to build stronger connections, clarify expectations, and nurture emotional health.

Practical Steps for Families

Three tips:

Start Conversations Early: Discuss what these changes mean and validate feelings of frustration or loss.

Create Safe Alternatives: Encourage offline hobbies, family rituals, and group chats on age-appropriate platforms like Messenger Kids or WhatsApp.

Model Digital Balance: Show healthy tech habits and boundaries.

Three resources::

SchoolTV Video – “New Social Media Regulations: What you need to know” including step-by-step guides and a sample Family Tech Agreement.

Online Resources - Online safety | eSafety Commissioner

Book – “Growing up Digital: Helping your kids and teens navigate life online” by Australia’s leading cyber safety expert, Susan McLean

An exciting community training opportunity:

Join us in 2026 for The Confident Parent Course - Cohort 3

[1] Fardouly, J. (2025). Potential effects of the social media age ban in Australia for children younger than 16 years. The Lancet Digital Health, 7(4), e235-e236.