Age restrictions on social media: What educators need to know

From 10 December 2025, new age-verification rules will come into effect requiring social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 years of age from creating or maintaining an account.

The changes are part of a national push to strengthen digital resilience among children and young people, providing them with more time and support to develop safe, respectful online habits before engaging with social media.

For early childhood and school-based educators, the reforms offer an opportunity to build knowledge, strengthen partnerships with families, and embed positive digital practices from the early years.

Key steps to prepare:

• Stay informed – Find out which platforms will be subject to the new age restrictions and how the rules will be implemented.
• Understand the impact – Learn what the changes mean for educators working with children and young people, and how they might influence curriculum planning and digital citizenship programs.
• Join a free webinar – A live, 30-minute session will be available to provide updates and answer questions about the rollout of age-verification measures.
• Create an Online Safety Classroom Agreement – Collaboratively develop a clear set of expectations with children to promote safety.
• Plan ahead – Engage with centre leadership to support a whole-centre approach to online safety education in 2026. 

The upcoming changes align with national efforts to reduce online harms and ensure children’s digital participation is guided by robust education, clear boundaries and ongoing adult support. Early action by educators can help set a strong foundation for positive digital engagement across the years ahead.

More information is available via the Social Media Age Restrictions Hub from the eSafety Commissioner.