Navigating Social Media Age Restrictions
From 10 December 2025 age-restricted social media platforms, such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Reddit, Kick and Threads will have to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from creating or keeping accounts. The eSafety Commissioner website has information for parents and carers to help them understand what this means for their family and how they can help their children under 16 who will be impacted by the social media age restrictions.
You can find a webinar created especially for parents, short videos and fact sheets here: Https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/social-media-age-restrictions.
Under-16s will still be able to access content that doesn’t require a login but otherwise their accounts will be deleted or deactivated.
The platforms that will still be allowed to host under 16s include:
- Messenger
- YouTube Kids
- Discord
- GitHub
- LEGO Play
- Roblox
- Steam and Steam Chat
- Google Classroom
Mental health forums are generally not impacted by the social media ban because they are considered health services and are excluded from age restrictions. Platforms like headspace, Kids Helpline and other sites with the primary purpose of supporting health and education will be exempt.
For more information:
https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/for-young-people/social-media-ban/
https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions/faqs
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/social-media-age-restrictions/get-ready-guide
https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/under-16-social-media-ban-coping
There are also some free webinars aimed at preparing young people for social media age restrictions which you can register for in November via: https://www.generationnext.com.au/webcasthome/
Please reassure young people that if they are on social media despite the ban and something bad happens, to still report it to you – they will not be in trouble:
Please report any incidence to the platform it happened on, and also report any type of online abuse to ACCCE and cyberbullying or illegal/restricted content to eSafety.
Many young people may feel frustrated and angry when this ban takes effect, especially if they have a large following or advocate online for various causes. Do encourage young people to talk with you about their frustrations and work on ways to find solutions to still stay connected with friends and maintain a voice on important issues.
Alternatives your young person might consider include magazines like Teen Breathe magazine (cue naughties nostalgia) to access info and ideas to keep busy and relaxed. There are also blogs like ‘Write the World’ (a free writing community for 13–19-year-olds) and Voices of Youth (UNICEF’s community for young people).
Also safe online spaces for young people to connect about mental health include headspace, ReachOut, and Kids Helpline’s My Circle. These platforms offer moderated forums, peer support, and a way to connect with other young people in a supportive environment, with professional moderation to ensure safety.
If your young person continues to experience distress around the ban, please consider recommending a free app to support youth mental health wellbeing such as “clearlyme”
As the year comes to an end, we wanted to also provide a reminder of some of the resources that are available free to young people and their carers to support any mental health, social/emotional concerns:
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/education-services/schools/parents/
https://www.moodgym.com.au/
https://brave4you.psy.uq.edu.au/
For support during the Christmas holidays:
Kids Helpline: For ages 5 – 25yrs. Ph: 1800 55 1800, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. kidshelpline.com.au
Youth Beyond Blue: Specialist youth support for anxiety and depression. Ph: 1300 22 4636 (24 hours support).
Lifeline: Ph: 13 11 14 available 24hrs, seven days a week.
NSW Mental Health Line: For advice, assessment, and referral on freecall 1800 011 511. The Mental Health Line is a 24-hour telephone service operating seven days a week across NSW and determines the appropriate service for referral. Your Mental Health Line clinician will assess your situation and decide the best course of action to assist you.
If you have any concerns for your daughters that you wish to discuss prior to the end of term, myself and Jess Steyl will be available until Friday 5 December. Please contact us at either counsellor@brigidine.nsw.edu.au or via phone, 9988 6275.
Wishing you and your family have a peaceful Christmas period.
Ms Becky Salter
College Counsellor
