Navigating the New Social Media Age Limit: A Warm Limit for Our Kids
How is the new social media minimum age going in your family?
As a parenting coach and a mum of two teens, I am a huge supporter of this new legislation. I view the social media minimum age as a warm limit on a national scale. It takes the pressure off our kids’ developing nervous systems, giving them the time they need before navigating the pressures of social media.
We know that setting limits isn't always easy, and a change this big can bring up a lot of feelings and pushback from our young people. Whether your teen is handling the transition well or really struggling with the new boundaries, right now is a great opportunity to:
Check in: Listen to their frustration without trying to fix it immediately. Validate that this is a big shift for them.
Talk about online safety: Keep the lines of communication open about what they experience in the digital world.
Reconnect face-to-face: Help them find offline ways to connect with family, friends, and the community.
Free Resources and Support: If you need help navigating this transition, the eSafety Commissioner has fantastic resources. They have put together conversation starters, lists of support services, and step-by-step guides for deleting apps together.
Have Your Say Most importantly, the eSafety Commissioner wants to hear your feedback on how this change is going in your family and how the platforms are handling the rollout.
Head to https://www.esafety.gov.au/ to access these resources and share your feedback.
