Support Tips
Navigating Change: What to expect and how to prepare
From 10 December 2025, a new Australian law will require social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent users under the age of 16 from creating or keeping an account. By modelling good practices and approaching change with patience and understaning, parents can play an important role in helping their daughters shift deeply ingrained habits around social media.
Dr Sharon Horwood (as cited in Kelsey-Sugg and Tencic, 2025), a senior lecturer in psychology at Deakin University, who is studying social media use, asserts that "taking away something that they [teenagers] find really engaging, and perhaps addictive as well, is going to be a battle for parents. There's no point in sugar-coating that”.
Trying to change long-term behaviours, as Dr Horwood outlines, is hard, so a firm but steady approach is needed. On the upside, bear in mind it’s likely most of your child’s friendship group will be in the same boat, so it won’t be a case of `missing out’. Rather, many teens will migrate to messaging apps that are not captured by the ban and, hopefully, less compelling.
Tips to help you and your daughter navigate the change
Plan for December 10: Talk to your child about what platforms will be captured by the new laws when they come into effect and how they will preserve any important posts or photos. Access an online guide to help you do this here. Each platform will handle the change differently. Some may simply archive underage accounts, while others may delete them. Encourage your daughters to talk to friendship groups (and sporting teams or study groups) about messaging platforms they may use going forward and ensure everyone has shared necessary contact details before December 10.
Plan to fill the void: Kicking a habit is hard, so try to agree on a new hobby or activity that may provide a distraction. Support their involvement in activities that do not involve screens or facilitate ‘phone free’ social events.
Preparing for challenges: As Dr Horwood (as cited in Kelsey-Sugg and Tencic, 2025), notes, it is inevitable that there are going to be challenges along the way. Your child may try to sneak access to a social media platform. Default to empathy, not anger. Try: “I know it’s hard to stop something that you’re so used to doing, but let’s work together to see if we can figure out a way that will work for you, but I’m also happy with.”
Set boundaries: Monitor screen time to prevent overuse, ensuring there is enough time for personal interests, studies, and face-to-face relationships. Use built-in tools to manage daily limits.
Create tech-free zones and times: Designate areas like bedrooms or the dinner table as no-tech areas to support what is essentially a lifestyle shift.
Model healthy habits: Be conscious of time you spend on your own phone and social media. Is it a genuine need or just a habit to reach for your phone?
Focus on the positive: Rather than dwell on the `dramatic’ loss of social media, focus on the gains, like more spare time, peace and calm, and perhaps even an increase in self-confidence. A Gallup Poll conducted in the US in 2023 found more than half of teenagers there spent upwards of four hours each day on social media. If our children have comparable use, that’s a lot of time to win back.
The eSafety website is a useful resource for parents with children of all ages when navigating healthy digital behaviours, while the eSafety’s Young Children in Digital Society website is aimed at young children.
As we continue to navigate an ever-changing digital landscape, the School, alongside parents, must continue to educate and support students to use technology in a balanced and responsible way.