The new social media age restrictions are coming, and it's important to understand what this means for your family. Age-restricted platforms will likely include Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X and YouTube, though you should check for the latest list as it develops. The good news is that under-16s will still be able to see publicly available social media content that doesn't require an account, and they'll continue to have access to apps and platforms mainly designed for online messaging and gaming, as well as online services that share health and educational information and support.

To stay informed, make sure you check the FAQs for parents and carers, which are being kept up to date with the latest official information. You can also visit eSafety's social media age restrictions hub to learn more about the new law, and it's worth talking about the change with your friends, community and your child's school to see how others are dealing with it.

Don't wait until December 10 to address this with your children. Use this as an opportunity to start having open, ongoing conversations about social media, the new law and how you can support them through the change. You might begin by simply asking what they think of social media, both the good and the bad, and then build the conversation from there.

eSafety's conversation starters have lots of tips to help you navigate these discussions. When you talk about the new law, make sure to explain why it's happening and help them understand it's about protection, not punishment.

It's crucial to listen to what they have to say and talk about their feelings openly. Let them know it's perfectly okay if they're upset, confused or worried, as these emotions are completely normal, especially for young people experiencing change or uncertainty. Reassure them that they're not alone and that many of their friends and families are navigating this change too. Most importantly, let them know they can talk to you without judgement, or reach out to a free, confidential counselling or support service, especially if they're ever worried about their online safety or their health and wellbeing.

Take time to help your child map out their digital world. Find out which platforms, people, groups, communities and services are most important to them. Ask which apps and platforms they use the most, who they mainly connect with on these platforms, and which chats, groups, creators and communities they're likely to lose access to.

It's also worth checking whether there are any support services they currently use via these platforms so you can help them find alternatives.

One of the biggest concerns for young people will be staying connected with friends, so help them plan and organise alternatives.

Suggest they make plans to catch up in person and explore offline activities together. You can find helpful suggestions in the tips for balancing time online. Prompt them to ask close contacts for their phone numbers before 10 December if they don't already know them, but remind them they should never share phone numbers or other sensitive personal information in public posts or with anyone they don't know in person. You can find out more about protecting identity online through eSafety resources. They should also ask friends for any gamertags or profile names on other apps and platforms they use.

Consider suggesting they organise regular phone catch-ups or stay in touch through an age-appropriate online chat or video app, or even by email. Encourage them to move group chats onto age-appropriate messaging apps, and help them download new apps if necessary, add trusted contacts and create new groups and chats before 10 December.

It's also important to explore safer ways for them to belong to communities. Get them thinking about the communities they're part of on social media and how else they might access those connections. Encourage them to make a note of their favourite influencers, streamers and celebrities, including their account names, handles or gamertags, so they can look them up via a web browser later. Help them search for alternative apps, websites or games that are high-quality, age-appropriate and related to their interests and life experiences, especially ones that encourage creativity, learning or mindfulness. Look for features like moderated chats, strong privacy settings and trustworthy news content.

If your child relies on social media for support, they could explore the ReachOut pages that have lists of national, state and territory-based services and ways to connect. These include support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, ways to connect with community if you're a First Nations young person, Yarn Up (a space where young First Nations people access wellbeing resources and support), support services for culturally and linguistically diverse young people, culturally diverse LGBTQIA+ support services and groups, and LGBTQIA+ support services.

Remember to remind under-16s that even platforms which are not age-restricted can have risks.

This means young people still need to know what to do about difficult situations like being cyberbullied or being asked for nudes, and how to protect personal information and report online harms.

The "I need help" page is a good resource for them to bookmark. You can visit the Parents section for more information on common online safety topics and check The eSafety Guide for advice on how to protect privacy and report harmful content on common platforms, games, apps and sites.

Before the changes take effect, help your child save their digital memories. Platforms are meant to remove accounts belonging to under-16s, though instead of removing accounts completely, some platforms may deactivate them so they can be reactivated with all their existing data when the user turns 16. However, under-16s shouldn't rely on platforms to provide this option, so it's best to download any data they want to save before 10 December. Let them know they can take screenshots or download their favourite posts, chats, photos or videos (the platforms should provide instructions on how to do this, or you can check The eSafety Guide for help).

Offer to help store them in a folder on a device or hard drive like a laptop or USB, or in cloud storage. You could give them access to a shared drive for this if you have one. Each platform's Help or Support section should have more information on what will happen to underage account data and content.

To ease into this change and avoid last-minute stress, discuss how they can begin winding back their social media use now, and make this a family effort by role-modelling the shift. Help them mute notifications, unfollow others and set goals to reduce screen time so they don't experience a hard stop on 10 December, and make a conscious effort to cut back your own scroll time as well.

Encourage routines that promote a healthy balance, like taking regular breaks together from social media, creating device-free times and spaces in your home, and allowing more time for exploring offline activities together. You can find suggestions in the tips for balancing your time online.

Consider using parental controls to help set limits and support balance, but first talk with your under-16 about what these controls mean and, if possible, decide together how long they'll be kept on. Make sure to discuss what to do about the use of shared devices or accounts in your family, household and other places your under-16 spends time, such as with another parent, grandparent or carer. Talk together about managing access appropriately, and celebrate progress each week, acknowledging your under-16's shift towards more age-appropriate platforms and digital habits that support their safety and wellbeing.

This is a big change and it will take time for young people to adjust, so it's important they understand that help is available and that you know where to turn if you need help to support your child. Remind them they can always come to you or another trusted adult such as an older sibling, auntie or teacher if they're finding it hard to deal with the social media change or any other issue. Let them know it's also okay for them to contact a free, confidential counselling or support service like Kids Helpline (for 5 to 25-year-olds), eheadspace (for 12 to 25-year-olds), Beyond Blue (for all ages) or another one on eSafety's counselling or support service list. They won't get into trouble for reaching out.

Make sure they understand that if something goes wrong online they should reach out for help, even if they're under 16 and on an age-restricted platform. Suggest they bookmark eSafety's "I need help" page, or put this link somewhere they can always find it, like on your fridge: eSafety.gov.au/I-need-help.

Dealing with under-16s who can't have social media accounts will be challenging for many parents and carers, so it's important that you also reach out for help if you need it. ReachOut has advice on how to choose from a range of options, including talking with someone you trust, a counsellor or online support service, or a community forum.

It also offers coaching for parents and carers of teens, as well as advice on dealing with family conflict and helping young people cope with change.

There are many other options available for support, including counselling and support services, Kids Helpline, Parentline, Raising Children Network, Family Relationships Advice Line, a family mediation service, your child's school counsellor or head of wellbeing or year coordinator, and your local doctor or community nurse. To help you support your under-16s to get ready for the change, you can download or print the action plan and fill it in together, or they can find their own version in the get-ready guide for under-16s.

For more information, including webinars, visit https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/social-media-age-restrictions/get-ready-guide