Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As many of you may be aware the Australian Government has introduced legislation focussed on nationwide age-restricted social media platforms to prevent children under 16 years of age having accounts on their services. 

Taking effect on 10 December 2025, these restrictions will include platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), among others. Students will not be able to access these platforms via school networks or personal devices while on school premises, including during breaks and lunchtimes or whilst on school-related activities.

These restrictions are being implemented to:

• promote the mental health and wellbeing of young children and teens by reducing exposure to harmful content and harmful interactions.
• promote cultural change in how young people engage with digital platforms, encouraging safer and more intentional use of technology.
• delay the influence of algorithms and encourage more real-life experiences during formative years.
• address concerns about design features that promote excessive screen time and serve up content that may negatively impact body image, emotional regulation, and social development.
• respond to community and expert concerns about the lack of effective age verification and the risks posed by unrestricted access to social media platforms.

Some useful resources for parents include:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars/social-media-age-restrictions-explained-a-guide-for-parents-and-carers

https://www.humanrights.unsw.edu.au/students/blogs/australia-social-media-ban-under-16s

https://www.sydney.edu.au/arts/news-and-events/news/2023/10/06/new-study-reveals-teenagers-social-media-use-and-safety-concerns.html

https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions/assessment

This new legislation will require the support of families and schools. Whilst some of the details are still to be shared, it is important that as families you begin to have conversations with your children about what the restrictions mean and why they have been introduced.    Parents and guardians are encouraged to talk with their children about the changes and work together to find healthy ways to stay connected outside of school hours.  We will also be commencing these discussions at school.

Over recent months we have been reviewing our school policies and guidelines in response. While we already limit social media and mobile phone use during the school day, we will be reinforcing and strengthening our intentional technology use as well as promotion of healthy digital habits and behaviours.

Throughout Term 4, we will:

• Share information about the new restrictions.
• Communicate updates to our school policies and an implementation plan.
• Ensure staff, students and families are informed and understand the rationale.
• Provide guidance to support implementation.

The Weekly newsletter will include a range of useful resources about the upcoming social media restrictions.

In 2026 we will also continue to work closely with the Cybersafety Project as part of our whole school approach to digital wellbeing and digital literacy.

Please refer to the updates in The Weekly newsletter as we will also direct you to key staff if you have questions, concerns, or suggestions as we support our community through these changes with the purpose of promoting wellbeing and learning for our young people during their formative years

With best wishes,

Debbie Dunwoody
Principal