Kids and Social Media: Helping Children Stay Safe and Well Online

For many Australian families, social media is now part of everyday life. Children see their friends using it, talk about videos they have watched and may want their own accounts as they get older.

For parents, however, it can be difficult to know where to draw the line.

How much screen time is too much? What should you do if your child sees something upsetting? How can you talk about cyberbullying, online strangers or body image without making your child afraid of the internet?

And with Australia's social media age restrictions now in place, many parents are also wondering what the new rules mean for their children.

The important thing to remember is that online wellbeing is part of your child's overall wellbeing. Helping children develop healthy digital habits is not about taking technology away completely. It is about helping them understand how to use it safely and knowing when to ask for help.

What Are the New Australian Social Media Rules?

As of 10 December 2025, age-restricted social media platforms in Australia are required to take reasonable steps to prevent people under 16 from having accounts.

The rules currently apply to platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, Threads, Twitch, X and Kick, among others. The list can change as platforms and their features change.

The rules place responsibility on the platforms rather than children or parents. Children under 16 are not fined for having an account, and parents are not fined either.

It is also not a complete restriction on being online.

Under-16s can still access many online services, including educational services, messaging platforms and gaming services that are not covered by the age restrictions. They can also view publicly available social media content that does not require an account.

For families, the change is an opportunity to have a broader conversation about online safety rather than simply saying "you're not allowed to use social media".

Why Can Social Media Be Difficult for Children?

Social media can have positive aspects. Children and teenagers can use technology to communicate with friends, explore interests, learn new things and express themselves.

But younger children can also find it difficult to manage some of the pressures that come with social media.

Many platforms are designed to keep people engaged. Notifications, endless scrolling, recommendations and other features can encourage users to spend more time online.

eSafety notes that some social media design features can encourage excessive screen use and increase exposure to negative, upsetting or manipulative content. These experiences can affect areas such as stress, sleep and concentration.

This does not mean every child who uses social media will experience problems.

Children are different, and their experiences online can vary considerably.

The key is helping your child build the skills they need to recognise when something online is affecting them negatively.

Social Media and Sleep

One of the simplest areas for parents to look at is sleep.

Children and teenagers need enough sleep for their physical health, learning, mood and development. Using a phone or tablet late at night can make it harder to switch off and settle down.

Notifications can also encourage children to check their devices when they should be sleeping.

Rather than focusing only on a strict number of hours, consider creating a consistent bedtime routine.

For example, you could:

• Keep phones and tablets out of the bedroom overnight.

• Turn off unnecessary notifications.

• Encourage a screen-free wind-down period before bed.

• Have a family charging station outside bedrooms.

• Model the same habits yourself.

• Keep bedtime routines consistent, including on weekends where practical.

Children are much more likely to accept boundaries when they understand why they exist.

Social Media and Mental Wellbeing

Social media can sometimes affect how children feel about themselves.

Children may compare their appearance, friendships, popularity or lifestyle with what they see online. They may also encounter negative comments, bullying or content that makes them feel anxious or inadequate.

It is important to remind children that social media rarely shows the complete picture.

Photos can be edited. People generally share their highlights rather than their difficult moments. Popularity online does not determine someone's value.

Instead of simply telling your child, "Don't compare yourself", try talking about what they are actually seeing.

Ask questions such as:

"How did that post make you feel?"

"Do you think this is a realistic picture of someone's everyday life?"

"What do you notice about the accounts you follow?"

These conversations can help children become more critical and confident users of online content.

Cyberbullying Can Be Hard to Spot

Bullying does not always stop when a child leaves school.

Messages, group chats, comments, images and online rumours can follow children home and make it difficult for them to get a break.

Some children may not tell their parents because they are worried that their phone will be taken away.

This is why it can help to make one thing very clear:

If something goes wrong online, your child can come to you without being immediately punished.

You can then work through what happened together.

Depending on the situation, this may involve blocking or reporting an account, saving evidence, speaking with the school or seeking help from eSafety or another appropriate support service.

eSafety provides resources for children and families dealing with cyberbullying and other online harms.

Talk About Privacy Early

Children need to understand that once something is shared online, it may be difficult to control where it goes.

This applies to photographs, videos, messages, usernames, locations and personal information.

Teach children to think before posting:

Who can see this?

Would I be comfortable if someone at school saw it?

Does this show where I live or go to school?

Am I sharing someone else's photo without their permission?

It is also worth talking about passwords and account security. Children should understand that passwords should not be shared casually and that they should tell a trusted adult if they think someone has accessed their account.

Be Careful About Online Strangers

Children may assume that someone they have been talking to online is who they say they are.

Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

Teach your child that online friendships can feel real, but they should still be careful about sharing personal information or meeting someone they have only met online.

Make sure they know they can tell you if someone makes them uncomfortable, asks them to keep secrets or pressures them to send photographs or information.

The goal is not to make children frightened of everyone online. It is to help them recognise when something does not feel right.

Don't Forget About the Positive Side of Technology

It is easy for conversations about children and social media to become completely negative.

Technology can also be useful and enjoyable.

Children can use online services to learn, create, communicate and explore their interests. Gaming can provide opportunities for social connection, and messaging services can help children stay in contact with family and friends.

The current Australian rules also recognise that not every online service is the same. Certain messaging, gaming, educational and health-related services are excluded from the social media age restrictions.

The goal is not to remove children from the digital world.

It is to help them use it in a way that supports their wellbeing.

What Can Parents Do?

You do not need to be an expert in every social media platform your child has heard of.

Start with simple conversations.

Ask what apps their friends use. Ask what they enjoy watching. Ask whether they have ever seen something online that made them uncomfortable.

You can also create some family rules together.

For example:

• No phones during family meals.

• Devices are charged outside bedrooms overnight.

• Children know which adults they can talk to if something goes wrong.

• Personal information should not be shared with strangers.

• Parents and children regularly review privacy and safety settings.

• Everyone in the family follows reasonable screen boundaries.

Try to apply these rules consistently.

And remember that children learn from what adults do. If parents are constantly checking their phones during conversations or meals, children are likely to notice.

What If Your Child Is Upset About the Social Media Restrictions?

For some children, losing access to a social media account can feel like losing an important connection to their friends.

It is worth taking those feelings seriously.

Rather than saying, "It's only social media", ask what they are worried about losing.

Is it their friendship group? A community? Favourite content? Photos and memories?

eSafety recommends talking openly with under-16s, understanding what matters to them and helping them find other ways to stay connected. This might include exchanging phone numbers with close friends or using services that are not covered by the restrictions.

The message can be simple:

"You are not being punished. Let's work out another way for you to stay connected."

When Should You Seek Extra Support?

If your child's online experiences are starting to affect their sleep, mood, school life, friendships or everyday activities, it may be worth talking with your GP.

You do not need to wait until there is a major problem.

A GP can provide a safe, confidential place for children and parents to discuss concerns about mood, anxiety, sleep, behaviour, relationships and general wellbeing.

If a child is experiencing serious distress or feels unsafe, seek appropriate professional support promptly.

There are also services such as Kids Helpline and eHeadspace that provide support for young people. eSafety also provides information about where children and families can find help after something goes wrong online.

Helping Children Build Healthy Digital Habits

Technology is going to remain a part of children's lives.

Rather than trying to eliminate every possible online risk, parents can help children develop the confidence and skills to handle the digital world safely.

That means talking openly, setting reasonable boundaries, protecting sleep, encouraging offline friendships and activities, and making sure children know they can ask for help without being judged.

Most importantly, keep the conversation going.

Online safety should not be a single conversation when a child gets their first phone. It should develop as they grow, just like conversations about friendships, school, health and independence.

At Classic Way Family Practice, we understand that children's health includes their emotional and social wellbeing as well as their physical health. If you have concerns about your child's sleep, mood, behaviour, anxiety or general wellbeing, talking with your GP can be a useful first step.

Contact Classic Way Family Practice

If you have concerns about your child's wellbeing, sleep, mood, behaviour or general health, the team at Classic Way Family Practice is here to support your family.

Classic Way Family Practice

Phone: (07) 5568 0600

Email: [email protected]

Address: 2/6 Classic Way, Burleigh Waters QLD 4220

Opening HoursMonday to Friday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PMSunday & Public Holidays: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Contact our friendly team to make an appointment or discuss your child's healthcare needs.