Past the social media ban – Information and occasions

19 August 2025

It’s lower than six months earlier than Australia’s social media age restrictions kick in. But whereas the onus is on social media platforms to stop underage entry, little one safety specialists on the University of South Australia say the dialog about on-line security doesn’t cease there.

UniSA’s Associate Professor Lesley-Anne Ey says mother and father and colleges should proceed on-line security conversations, so kids can navigate the digital world safely and responsibly – it doesn’t matter what their age.

“Parents are the first line of defence to protect children online,” says Associate Professor Ey.

“From the second kids begin utilizing units, mother and father must be having age-appropriate conversations in regards to the content material they entry and the way they work together and behave on-line.

“This ought to embody understanding privateness, who to ‘friend’, the open nature of the web, and the way something they submit – from textual content to photographs or movies – might stay on-line and accessible for years.

“We additionally must be speaking overtly about dangers. We must be labelling dangerous behaviours – together with sexting, AI-generated deep fakes, on-line bullying and grooming – and serving to kids perceive the authorized and psychological impacts of their actions.

“Because children’s brains are still developing, they often act on impulse without considering the consequences. They’re naturally more inclined to take risks and assume they’re safe – but the reality is they’re not, and they need strategies to protect themselves.”

On 10 December, Australia’s new social media laws will take impact, with social media platforms – together with TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube – required to take ‘reasonable steps’ to stop kids beneath 16 from having an account on their platform.

The laws intends to guard younger folks from being uncovered to social media content material that may very well be damaging to their well being and wellbeing at too younger an age. While laws is one a part of the answer, Assoc Prof Ey says the actual impression lies in constructing digital literacy throughout all platforms.

“Online safety isn’t a one-off talk or an age restriction to delay use,” Assoc Prof Ey says. “It’s an ongoing dialog between colleges, households and youngsters to assist them navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

“While the social media restrictions will definitely assist, kids will nonetheless be enjoying on-line video games, becoming a member of discussion groups, sharing photographs, and sending movies and texts – so it’s very important that they’re outfitted with age-appropriate instruments to navigate these areas safely.

“Education is vital: we want mother and father and academics to have the abilities and data to help kids; we want ongoing coaching to grasp the dangers and advantages of latest applied sciences, and we want methods to empower younger folks to make use of these to reinforce, not restrict their lives.

“Crucially, we should make sure that kids and younger folks know they’ve a secure, trusted particular person to show to in the event that they really feel anxious about one thing they’ve seen or heard on-line.

“Because in the end, it’s not just about keeping children off social media – it’s about giving them the knowledge, confidence and skills to thrive safely in a digital world that will only keep growing.”

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Contact for interview:  Assoc Prof Lesley-Anne Ey E: [email protected]
Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 479 182 489 E: [email protected]