The under-16 social media rules: what Aussie parents need to know (and how to support your child)

You’ve probably seen the headlines about Australia’s new under-16 social media rules… and if you’ve been left thinking “Wait… so what does this actually mean for my kid?”, you’re definitely not alone.

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It’s been explained in a lot of technical language, and drip-fed to us as the news has been delivered… so here’s a calmer, clearer breakdown. The kind you can read between reading whatsapp threads and packing lunches.

TL;DR — the super quick version

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✔️ From 10 December 2025, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit and others must take “reasonable steps” to stop under-16s from having accounts.
✔️ This rule applies to the companies, not your child. Kids aren’t in trouble. Parents aren’t in trouble.
✔️ Apps will use age checks + account removals. If a kid is wrongly flagged, there’ll be appeal options.
✔️ Some kids (especially neurodiverse kids) rely on online spaces – so planning for that is key.
✔️ The changes are happening because there’s growing evidence that early, unsupervised social media harms wellbeing.
✔️ You can help your child stay connected safely… just with different tools, boundaries and support.

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Why this change is happening now… the context some people miss

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This isn’t happening in a vacuum. Australia (and many other countries) is responding to a rising wave of research showing that young people’s mental health has taken a sharp downturn since smartphones and social media became the norm.

Here are some of the clearest findings:

1. Teen mental health has declined dramatically since 2010

Across Australia, the US, the UK and Europe, there’s been a steep rise in anxiety, depression, self-harm and loneliness in young people since the early 2010s, right when smartphones became universal, social media moved into younger age groups and online life replaced in-person socialisation

Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation was a terrifying read for so many of us, which highlights that for Gen Z:

• Depression rates have doubled since the introduction of the smartphone
• Self-harm among teen girls has skyrocketed
• Sleep is down
• Loneliness is up
• Screen time increased, outdoor play decreased

And not because kids have changed… but because their environment did, and none of the companies responsible for this alarming change are taking responsibility for it.

2. Social media affects brain development in ways we’re only just understanding

Studies show that early, high-frequency social media use:

• triggers dopamine cycles (causing addiction to the device or app)
• increases fear of missing out 
• amplifies social comparison
• disrupts emotional regulation 
• impacts attention and learning
• reduces in-person social skills and resilience

Children’s brains aren’t designed for always-on feedback loops, likes, filters and algorithmic pressure.

They are designed for face-to-face communication, play, boredom, trial and error and safe emotional co-regulation with adults. Screens don’t provide this, and in many cases, they compete with it.

3. Kids are being exposed to content far beyond their emotional capacity

eSafety’s Australian data shows alarmingly that children are regularly encountering violent and sexual content, bullying, grooming risks, algorithmic rabbit holes, “challenge” trends which can be harmful, and of course, body comparison content. 

Not because they’re doing something wrong, but because these platforms weren’t originally designed for children! This is why the government is shifting responsibility from families to tech companies.

It shouldn’t be the job of a 12-year-old, or a tired parent, to protect themselves from the design of addictive systems!

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Now… here’s what the changes actually mean for your family

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It’s not a “ban on kids.” It’s a responsibility shift onto tech companies.

From 10 December, platforms must do things like:

• block under-16 sign-ups
• remove existing under-16 accounts
• ask for age verification
• offer appeals if someone is wrongly flagged

Your child isn’t breaking the law. You’re not breaking the law… It’s just a design change.

And honestly? It’s overdue.

For many kids, this will be a small hiccup. For others, a big loss.

And that’s where the nuance matters.

Some kids will shrug and move on, but others will feel like a piece of their social world just collapsed.

Many neurodiverse kids rely on online communication because it feels safer, reduces the sensory overwhelm and allows them to communicate at their own pace. It also allows them to find like-minded communities with shared interests and removes some of the social pressures and niceties that are expected such as eye-contact, tone, and quick replies.

For these kids, connection isn’t just “social media.”

It’s belonging.

And losing it might feel a bit like grief.

How to support your child through the change

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1. Have a gentle, honest conversation

Something like:

“There are new age rules for some apps. I want us to figure out together how you can stay connected in ways that feel good and safe for you.”

Keep it simple and calm, with no shame.

2. Map out which apps they use and why

Ask them:

• Who do you talk to here?
• What do you enjoy about this app?
• What would you be sad to lose?

This will tell you what you need to replace.

3. Build a “connection plan”

Some ideas include:

• supervised chat groups
• messaging via phone or family-shared apps
• safe Discord servers (if allowed)
• in-person meet-ups
• school or club communication channels
• video calls
• interest-based groups offline

Connection doesn’t disappear…it just changes form and maybe goes a little old school. 

4. Help them communicate with friends

Draft a simple message together:

“Our rules are changing here so I might lose this app soon… what’s the best way we can stay in touch?”

It takes away the awkwardness for them.

5. Validate their feelings

Instead of saying “It’s just an app,” try saying something like “It makes sense you’re upset. This is a big change.”

Validation helps massively with emotional regulation, especially for neurodiverse kids.

6. Watch their wellbeing

You’ll want to keep any eye out for their wellbeing. Look out for:

• changes in mood
• withdrawal from friends
• school anxiety
• sleep difficulties
• shutdowns or meltdowns

If anything feels worrying, check in with your GP or school wellbeing team.

The bottom line

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These changes aren’t about punishing kids. They’re about protecting their developing brains, reducing harm and delaying exposure until they’re developmentally ready. We need kids to have the chance to form solid online foundations first, and we need to hold tech companies to a higher standard that has previously been expected. 

And while the adjustment period might like a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, you and your child can navigate it together – with calm and connection.