Social Media Minimum Age campaign in Australia

The Australian Social Media Minimum Age law means that from 10 December, the minimum age to have a social media account is 16. This change is designed to protect young people from the risks of harm from social media and to support their well-being. The campaign ‘For the good of their wellbeing’ raises awareness of the new law. 

There’s evidence between social media use and harms to the mental health and wellbeing of young people. While there can be benefits in social media use, the risk of harms may be increased for young people as they do not yet have the skills, experience or understanding to navigate complex social media environments. To find out details about the social media minimum age changes and the social media platforms it will include, visit the Social media age restrictions hub.

The Australian e-Safety Commissioner released  Social Media Age Restriction Video Series: a short, voice-led resource designed to help you understand what’s changing, why it matters, and how to support your family through it. 

This four-topic series covers: 

• A delay, not a ban: What the changes mean for your child’s access to social media 
• Why delay social media accounts? Hear directly from a young person on the benefits of waiting 
• How will the age restrictions be implemented? What to expect and how it will work 
• Support, resources and tips to prepare: Practical advice to help your family adjust 

Staying on top of digital changes can be challenging, especially for busy parents and carers. The videos and the podcast makes it easy to stay informed and confident in your digital parenting journey. 

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