Social media companies will be required to take reasonable steps to stop people under 16 from having accounts on their platforms. TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Kick, Reddit, Threads, Twitch, X and YouTube are already included, and more platforms may be added. The eSafety Commissioner, who is overseeing the introduction of the restrictions, says that the changes aim to protect under-16-year-olds from pressures and risks they can be exposed to while logged into social media accounts.
Companies are expected to use age-assurance technology to estimate a user’s age. Young people will still be able to watch publicly available content on some platforms, such as YouTube and TikTok. The responsibility falls on the platforms themselves. There are no penalties for parents or children if an under-sixteen still has an account after the start date.
Although the teen social media ban begins on 10 December, experts emphasise that the most important part for families is not the rule itself—but how parents talk with their children about it. Open communication can make the transition less stressful. Dr Catherine Page Jeffery, a senior lecturer in media and communications at the University of Sydney, says parents should begin by acknowledging how significant social media is in young people’s lives.
Because social connection is central to teenagers’ wellbeing, parents can help them plan alternative ways to stay in touch. For some young people—especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQ+ communities, rural areas or living with disability—online spaces offer a connection they may not easily find offline. Supporting them to build multiple avenues of connection can help reduce feelings of loss.
Leo Hede, a manager from Kids Helpline, also suggests building open communication and trust with your children. This means reassuring them they can come to you if something goes wrong online—without fear of getting in trouble. Even if accounts are not immediately removed, preparing early can reduce stress. Once the ban comes into effect, parents should continue talking with their children about online life.
