As of Wednesday 10 December, various social media platforms will no longer allow children under 16 to keep or create an account. These platforms include:
Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Snapchat, X, Youtube, Reddit and Kick
This list may change in the coming weeks so the best place to keep updated is the eSafety Commissioner website listed below:
This adjustment will be difficult for some of our young people who have become accustomed to using these platforms. In a recent webinar run by Jocelyn Brewer, the founder of Digital Nutrition, it was emphasised that an important way we can support our young people to navigate this change is to have conversations with them. In her presentation to parents and educators, Jocelyn suggested some key questions to ask our young people could be:
How do you use these platforms at the moment?
How do you feel about the changes?
How do you think you will cope?
Jocelyn also suggested asking our young people about what could be other ways that they could achieve the sense of connection they may get from using these platforms. A gradual reduction in time spent on these platforms in the lead up to December 10, was also suggested as a way to support children to become accustomed to this new law.
The eSafety website also provides some video resources to support parents in their conversations with their children about the upcoming change. These resources can be found at the link below:
More information about Jocelyn Brewer’s work in this space can be found at her website below: