From 10 December 2025, national laws will establish social media age restrictions for all Australians under 16 years of age.

We understand that this change may be challenging for some young people as they adjust to new ways of staying connected. We have pulled together some guiding resources below to help young people and parents through this transition period.

The below resources also include key facts about the proposed social media age restrictions and relevant resources for parents, carers, teachers and health professionals. For more information about the restrictions, please head to:

• Social media age restrictions hub – eSafety
• Social media age restrictions FAQs – eSafety

• If you are under 16, you may no longer be able to create a new account on many social media platforms.
• If you already have an account, platforms may ask you to verify your age, may freeze or deactivate your account, or you might lose access to certain features.
• You will still be able to view publicly available content on many platforms (for example, videos you don’t need to log-in for).

• Get the facts: read reliable info about what’s changing. Don’t rely on hearsay or rumours.
• Notice your feelings: you might feel upset, annoyed, relieved, or indifferent — all are valid feelings.
• Map your online habits: what apps you use, why you use them (connection, creativity, community), what you like and what annoys you.
• Keep your connections alive: you may lose access to some platforms, but if you’ve mapped your online habits to find out what’s important to you, it will be easier to know how to stay connected and find joy through other apps, games, phone/video calls, or face-to-face interactions.
• Explore alternative ways to share and express yourself: offline clubs, hobbies, creative pursuits, and smaller online communities.
• Look after yourself: big changes can cause stress — keep doing the things that help you feel good (exercise, friends, downtime) and reach out if things feel tough.
• Stay part of the conversation: your voice matters — you can ask questions, give feedback, share how you feel.

Supporting a young person through this change means understanding what’s happening, staying connected, and collaborating.

• The new law takes effect 10 December 2025 and platforms must take reasonable steps to restrict account creation/maintenance for under-16s.
• No penalty will apply to your child if they already have a social media account under 16 — the responsibility is on the platforms.
• Your young person might have many mixed emotions about this change — uncertainty, loss, relief — so it’s important to listen to and validate their feelings.

• Get informed: one of the best ways to assist is by understanding what the changes mean, what platforms are involved, and how the transition may play out.
• Start conversations (curious, calm): ask them what they know, how they feel, what they’ll miss, what still works — rather than simply telling them what’s going to happen.
• Focus on what they’ll still have: emphasise the ways they can still connect, express, play, explore. Together you can map alternative ways if the familiar one’s change.
• Monitor for signs of distress or disconnection: if you notice mood changes, withdrawal from friends, or anxiety about the shift, it’s worth checking in and possibly getting extra support.
• Use the transition as a chance to reset or revisit family digital rules: discuss screen time, online safety, other ways to spend downtime, and re-balance online/offline life.
• Champion their voice: especially as many young people feel the changes affect them directly, ensuring their input is heard helps them feel agency rather than just restriction.

In your role you’ll be working with young people navigating these changes. Here are key points and strategies to consider.

• The new legislation and regulatory guidance will affect students (or clients) under 16 and will shift the context of how they engage with online social media.
• Not all young people will react the same: for some the change may be minor, for others (especially those who rely on social media for identity, connection, supportive communities etc.) it may be significant.
• Resources and professional learning are available to support you, for example guides for schools, webinars from eSafety Commissioner etc.

• Stay informed and bring accurate information into your classroom or practice: clear, up-to-date facts help build trust and avoid confusion.
• Invite young people’s perspectives: create space for them to share what the changes mean for them, what they’ll miss, what they expect. Listening matters.
• Recognise diverse impacts: some young people are more vulnerable to effects of losing a social space — rural/remote young people, those with disability, LGBTQIA+ youth, or those who already feel isolated. Tailor your support accordingly.
• Support connection beyond the restricted platforms: encourage alternatives (moderated/safe forums, community groups, clubs, safe gaming/online spaces, face-to-face meetups) to maintain peer-support and engagement.
• Monitor for signs of disconnection, distress, anxiety: losing familiar online spaces can feel like loss — be alert to signs young people may struggle and link out to support as needed.
• Leverage this as a teachable moment: strengthen media literacy, digital wellbeing, safe online behaviours, critical consumption of online content and design features. These skills will serve long term.

Here are the key support services and resources if you or someone you support is finding the transition difficult:

• Emergency: If someone is at immediate risk of harm, call 000 (Australia) or go to your nearest hospital.

Change is easier to navigate when we know where to turn. Here are some things we can encourage to make the adjustment easier:

• Early help-seeking: if a young person is showing increased anxiety, withdrawal, loss of motivation, changes in mood — these may be signs they’re struggling with the change in their online life.
• Saving contact details: of support services and share them in accessible ways (phone, link, web chat).
• Making positive changes: by viewing it as an opportunity to build new routines, new forms of connection and ways to regulate wellbeing beyond screens.