With the deadline for Australia’s under 16 social media ban looming, many parents are now turning their attention to supporting their children through the change.
Child safety and wellbeing expert, Associate Professor Lesley-Anne Ey, from the University of South Australia, said the key to a smooth transition was education, reassurance, and open, age-appropriate conversations.
Associate Professor Ey said as the December 10 deadline loomed children were already worried about losing touch with their friends.
She said while the onus was on social media platforms to act, the real battle would be at home, where parents must enforce the rules, manage their children’s reactions, and help them adjust.
“Many children and teens use apps like Snapchat and TikTok to connect with their friends. They’ve grown up with this technology – it’s part of who they are – and they’re used to communicating through videos, emojis, photos and filters.
“When the ban kicks in, kids may feel like they’re facing a social penalty where they won’t be able to connect with their friends in the same way.”
Associate Professor Ey said the fear of losing touch with friends was real, so parents would need to invite questions and show understanding and empathy about what their kids would see as a loss.
“Brainstorm alternative ways to stay connected. If they liked TikTok dances, an app like Just Dance could suit; if they want to chat, use closed group chats or messaging apps; and if they enjoy gaming, find multiplayer games where they can connect safely.
“Supporting kids through this is about empathy – and keeping the lines of communication open.”
What parents need to know about guiding kids through the social media ban:
- Get informed about new platforms and trends: Kids move quickly to new apps. Keep an eye on emerging platforms and talk about them before your child joins – explore the platforms, games and media kids are using and explore the benefits and risk of these.
- Educate kids about online safety: Talk openly about the benefits and risks of the internet, what’s safe to share, how to protect personal information, and what to do if something online feels uncomfortable and even if they think they have done something wrong online. They need to know that you are always there to help them even if they have done something wrong.
- Have open and age-appropriate conversations: Talk about what they do and see online and how it makes them feel. Stay open and provide a safe place to share.
- Understand and empathise: Acknowledge your child’s feelings of loss of freedom or control. Let them know you understand but explain that safety and their wellbeing comes first.
- Model healthy behaviour: Show balance in your own screen use and set family-wide screen-free times (like during dinner or before bed).
- Create consistent routines: Make boundaries predictable with regular habits, such as tech-free zones or times.
- Encourage alternatives: Support hobbies, sport, and offline fun to keep kids socially connected in healthier ways. Arrange family or peer connection like movie or game nights.
