The clock is ticking for young Australians ahead of a major online shift. From December 10, a new ban will prohibit children under the age of 16 from having social media accounts, forcing a wave of deactivations across major platforms.
Download Your Digital History Before It's Gone
Platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads will begin wiping accounts from December 4, ahead of the official deadline. They will be followed by Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitch, X, and YouTube. The national eSafety Commissioner is urging parents and caregivers to help their children prepare now to avoid losing their digital footprints and connections.
While some services may reactivate accounts once a user turns 16, this is not guaranteed. Therefore, downloading personal data is a critical step. For instance, Instagram allows users to export account information, photos, messages, and activity logs. This is done via Settings > Accounts Centre > Your information and permissions > Export your information.
Users should be prepared for large file sizes and potential wait times of up to 30 days for an export link. Each platform has its own process, detailed in their 'help' or 'support' sections. As a simpler alternative, taking screenshots of cherished content offers a reliable backup.
How to Preserve Your Online Community
Beyond data, a significant loss for many will be their curated online communities. eSafety advises families to sit down together and make lists of followed influencers, streamers, news sources, and support groups. Jot down account names and handles to find these creators elsewhere.
"Find out whether they’re active on other age-appropriate channels such as a blog, podcast or newsletter," eSafety recommends. Visiting the official websites of favourite groups can reveal alternative ways to stay connected outside of age-restricted apps.
Returning to Old-School Connections
One of social media's biggest draws is friendship. Before deactivation, children can reach out to trusted contacts within their online networks to exchange details for other age-appropriate platforms, email, or phone.
Any sharing of personal contact information like phone numbers, or plans to meet in person, should be strictly limited to people the child already knows well. Parents and children are reminded to be vigilant about personal safety and the risks of sharing information online. More guidance is available on eSafety’s Protecting Your Identity page.
For comprehensive advice on navigating this transition, parents and children are directed to the eSafety Commissioner’s Get Ready Guide.
