What Australia’s new social media rules mean for kids under 16

Big changes are coming to how children use social media in Australia. From 10 December 2025, the new Social Media Age Restrictions will require platforms to take “reasonable steps” to prevent users under 16 from having an account. These laws, part of the Online Safety Act, are designed to give young people a safer, healthier online experience.

While social media can offer creative opportunities for connection and learning, researchers, including the American Psychological Association (APA) warn that early exposure can also heighten risks such as anxiety, body image concerns, and reduced attention span.

This blog unpacks why these new rules matter, what changes families can expect, and how we can all help children build safe, positive relationships online.

Why the new rules matter

According to the eSafety Commissioner, social media platforms built for adults are not suitable for developing minds. The decision to enforce an under‑16 minimum age reflects growing evidence that early exposure can overwhelm young brains.

Research by APA shows that during early adolescence (roughly ages 10–14), the brain becomes hypersensitive to social feedback — likes, comments, and followers activate reward and stress systems that can fuel cycles of comparison, dependency, and anxiety. This means that children who start using platforms early may be more vulnerable to mood fluctuations and intense social pressure.

The new rules respond directly to this science. They aim to give young people more time to develop offline confidence and empathy before confronting the complex world of digital validation.

What the law requires platforms to do

From December, social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube, and X will need to identify and block accounts belonging to users under 16. They must also:

• Detect and deactivate underage accounts responsibly
• Prevent re‑registration attempts
• Use privacy‑friendly age‑assurance tools without storing IDs
• Explain how their systems protect minors and report progress regularly

Companies that fail to comply face heavy penalties—up to $49.5 million or 5% of their global turnover.

This marks a major shift in responsibility—from parents to platforms. For years, families were expected to manage children’s safety online. Now, the government and regulators are putting the onus on the tech industry to design safer environments by default.

What science tells us about early social media use

The APA’s 2024 report on youth and social media highlights several key areas of concern that directly support Australia’s new approach:

Anxiety and body image

Studies show that frequent exposure to appearance‑focused content and peer comparison increases risks of anxiety, body dissatisfaction, and eating‑related distress.

Reduced concentration and impulse control

Infinite scrolls, push notifications, and algorithmic feeds exploit still‑developing brain circuits responsible for focus and self‑control, making it hard for young users to disengage.

Sleep disruption

Excessive late‑night screen time interferes with the deep sleep essential for brain development, attention, and emotional regulation.

Cyberbullying and harmful content

Adolescents are more susceptible to peer influence and social rejection. These factors can lead to cyberbullying, an increasing problem for Australian kids. Exposure to aggressive or self‑harming material can heighten stress and depressive symptoms.

The APA’s findings echo Australia’s own data: mental health services continue to report sharp rises in anxiety and self‑esteem issues among tweens and early teens who spend several hours a day online.

These biological, psychological, and social factors show why it’s vital to create age‑appropriate online experiences, not only restricting harmful content, but also reducing the addictive features that keep children scrolling.

What this means for young people

From December 2025, children under 16 shouldn’t create or maintain mainstream social media accounts. Instead, they can still use age‑appropriate, moderated alternatives like YouTube Kids, Messenger Kids, or classroom‑based education platforms.

The transition period gives schools, parents, and guardians time to help children re‑balance their digital lives. The change may feel challenging at first — especially for young people who use social media to socialise or create — but it’s a positive opportunity to rebuild healthy offline habits: playing, reading, creating, and connecting face‑to‑face.

As the APA report emphasises, adolescence is a critical time for “relationship skill‑building” — learning empathy, negotiation, and intimacy through one‑to‑one interactions (APA, 2024). The constant emphasis on likes and follower counts can replace that learning with shallow, performance‑driven exchanges. These new social media rules help to re‑centre relationships around real connections rather than digital approval.

The role of parents and schools

Even though platforms must now take the lead, families and educators still have a crucial guiding role. The eSafety Commissioner recommends:

• Having open, ongoing conversations about social media and mental health.
• Setting consistent boundaries around device use and bedtime.
• Encouraging offline friendships, creative activities, and physical play.
• Teaching children about digital literacy and respectful communication early on.

The APA (2024) also advises that adults “monitor, discuss, and coach” children’s early digital experiences rather than relying only on bans or restrictions. Supervision should evolve with the child’s maturity, balancing independence with care.

At You Can Sit With Me, we support this partnership and believe teachers and parents have an important role to play. The program’s focus on kindness, empathy, and inclusion in schools provides a strong offline foundation for digital resilience later on. When students learn to support one another face‑to‑face, they’re better equipped to navigate online spaces safely when they’re older.

A step toward a safer digital future

These new age restrictions are more than just a rule change, they represent a cultural reset. For the first time, social media companies must match their products to children’s developmental readiness.

As the APA report notes, “platforms built for adults are not inherently suitable for youth” (APA, 2024). Adolescents’ brains are wired for connection yet biologically less capable of resisting persuasive design. Australia’s regulations follow this logic: the safest strategy is prevention—limiting exposure until young people are more capable of self‑regulation and critical thinking.

The hope is that by delaying full access to social media, children gain more space to thrive in the real world—to practise empathy, develop attention skills, and enjoy childhood without relentless digital pressure.

In summary

• The new law begins 10 December 2025 and bans under‑16s from standard social media accounts.
• Platforms, not parents, are accountable for enforcing this rule.
• The policy aligns with growing psychological research, including the APA (2024) findings that highlight youth vulnerabilities to social feedback, impulse control, and algorithm‑driven engagement.
• Parents, carers, and teachers still play a vital role in supporting healthy habits, communication, and coping skills.
• Programs like You Can Sit With Me reinforce the same core values these policies aim to protect: empathy, inclusion, and belonging.

References

Australian eSafety Commissioner. (2025). Social media age restrictions. https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions

American Psychological Association. (2024). Potential risks of content, features, and functions: The science of how social media affects youth. https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/youth-social-media-2024

American Psychological Association. (2023). Health Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence. https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use

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