How Parents Can Keep Kids Connected (and Safe) With Australia’s New Social Media Ban

Imagine your teen coming home from school, eager to share a video from their favourite app, only to find their account blocked. That might soon be reality. Starting December 10, 2025, children under 16 will no longer be allowed to create accounts on many popular social media platforms in Australia.

The goal is to protect young people online. But as a parent, you’re left wondering — how do I help my child stay connected, informed, and included without breaking the rules or putting them at risk?

It’s a big shift for digital parenting. But it’s also an opportunity.

The new Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 sets the minimum age for certain platforms at 16. While messaging apps like WhatsApp and educational tools like Google Classroom are still allowed, platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram will be required to block new underage users and take steps to detect existing ones.

That doesn’t mean children have to go dark online. But it does mean we need to rethink how they interact with technology and how we guide them through it.

Start with a conversation. Ask your child what apps they use and why. What do they enjoy most about being online? What makes them feel uncomfortable or unsure? You might be surprised at how much they’re already navigating on their own. This is your chance to step in as a guide, not a gatekeeper.

Then, look at age-appropriate alternatives. Apps like YouTube Kids, Messenger Kids, and school platforms like Google Classroom still offer safe ways to stay connected. These options are designed with children in mind, offering better content filters and stronger parental controls.

But tools are just one part of the picture.

Kids also need digital literacy — the ability to recognise scams, understand privacy, and respond safely to cyberbullying or inappropriate content. It’s not about scaring them off the internet. It’s about giving them the confidence and knowledge to navigate it wisely.

Of course, they’re also watching you. Your own habits — how you scroll, respond to messages, or take breaks from the screen — send a powerful message about what healthy digital behaviour looks like.

So maybe this new law isn’t just about restrictions. Maybe it’s a nudge for families to reset. To pause and ask: Are we using technology in a way that builds connection, not just clicks?

The digital world isn’t going anywhere. But with your support, your kids can grow up using it with more awareness, more empathy, and more balance.