MAKE LIFE AN ADVENTURE • BUILD A BACKYARD OBSTACLE COURSE • HAVE AN INDOOR CAMPING TRIP • CREATE A NEIGHBOURHOOD SCAVENGER HUNT • GO ON A DAWN WALK TO HEAR MORNING BIRD CALLS • TRY GEOCACHING WITHOUT AN APP BY FOLLOWING PRINTED CLUES • EXPLORE ROCK POOLS AT LOW TIDE • CLIMB A TREE SAFELY WITH ADULT SUPERVISION • PICNIC IN A DIFFERENT PARK EACH WEEKEND • COLLECT NATURAL MATERIALS AND MAKE A FAIRY GARDEN • CAMP OVERNIGHT IN THE BACKYARD • LEARN TO SKIP STONES AT A LAKE • GROW A FAMILY HERB GARDEN • PRESS WILDFLOWERS IN A NOTEBOOK • HAVE A FAMILY FOOTPATH CHALK ART SESSION • DO A MINI BUSHWALK AND SKETCH WHAT YOU SEE • MAKE A BUG HOTEL FROM STICKS, BARK AND LEAVES • FLY A KITE YOU MAKE YOURSELVES • BUILD A SANDCASTLE VILLAGE WITH STREETS AND LANDMARKS • GO CLOUD SPOTTING AND NAME EACH
Your guide to the new social media law for under-16s
CLOUD • STARGAZE AND LEARN A NEW CONSTELLATION • CREATE A BACKYARD BIRD FEEDING STATION • GO ON A COLOUR WALK AND FIND ONE OBJECT FOR EACH COLOUR OF THE RAINBOW • HAVE A READING PICNIC IN A PARK WITH FAVOURITE BOOKS • TRY A BUG SAFARI WITH MAGNIFYING GLASSES AND SKETCHING • GO ON A SOUND WALK AND LISTEN CAREFULLY FOR EVERY DISTINCT NOISE • DO A NEIGHBOURHOOD SCAVENGER HUNT USING CLUES WRITTEN BY KIDS OR PARENTS • GO ON A NIGHT-TIME TORCH WALK AROUND THE BACKYARD OR LOCAL AREA • ADOPT A SMALL PARK OR NATURE SPOT TO KEEP TIDY AS A FAMILY • GO ON A COMMUNITY HEROES WALK AND VISIT THE FIRE STATION, LIBRARY OR SES • DO A SHAPE HUNT TO FIND CIRCLES, SQUARES, RECTANGLES AND TRIANGLES OUTDOORS • HAVE A MINDFULNESS WALK FOCUSING ON SLOW MOVEMENTS AND TINY DETAILS. UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY •
PAINT A MURAL ON BUTCHER’S PAPER TOGETHER • HOLD AN INVENTION CONVENTION • RUN A DESIGN YOUR DREAM BEDROOM CHALLENGE • MAKE FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS FROM STRING OR BEADS • CREATE A FAMILY COMIC SERIES WITH RECURRING CHARACTERS • LEARN PAPER QUILLING • PAINT ROCKS AND HIDE THEM AROUND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD • HOLD A BACKYARD CONCERT WITH HOMEMADE INSTRUMENTS • SKETCH PORTRAITS OF EACH OTHER • MAKE SHADOW PUPPETS AND A CARDBOARD THEATRE • TRY WATERCOLOUR PAINTING OUTDOORS • MAKE YOUR OWN BOARD GAME • DO A FAMILY POTTERY SESSION AT HOME WITH AIR DRY CLAY • HOLD A MINI FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION USING PRINTED IMAGES • CREATE A SCULPTURE FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS • MAKE SCRAPBOOKS FILLED WITH TICKET STUBS AND FAMILY MEMORIES • TRY FINGER KNITTING OR LOOM BANDS • WRITE A PICTURE BOOK TOGETHER • MAKE ORIGAMI DECORATIONS • LEARN BASIC CALLIGRAPHY • DRAW A GIANT MAP OF AN IMAGINARY WORLD • PAINT USING NATURAL DYES • CREATE A GIANT FAMILY MURAL ON BUTCHER’S PAPER • WRITE AND ILLUSTRATE A SHORT STORYBOOK STARRING THE CHILDREN AS HEROES • MAKE A SHORT FAMILY COMIC AND TURN IT INTO A BOOKLET • MAKE HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH OR SALT DOUGH AND SCULPT CHARACTERS • HOST A JOKE NIGHT AND ILLUSTRATE THE BEST JOKES • TRY NATURE ART USING LEAVES, STICKS, PETALS AND STONES • CREATE A BIG FLOOR MAZE USING TAPE OR STRING • MAKE STORY STONES USING PAINTED PEBBLES • CREATE A GIANT COLLAGE USING MAGAZINES, CATALOGUES AND COLOURED PAPER • MAKE PAPER CROWNS FOR A QUEENS AND KINGS OF KINDNESS DAY. MOVE MORE • LEARN A NEW FAMILY SPORT SUCH AS BADMINTON OR ULTIMATE FRISBEE • CREATE A BACKYARD MINI GOLF COURSE • HAVE A DANCE-OFF USING NO MUSIC OR ONLY HUMMING • SET UP A FAMILY YOGA SESSION • LEARN JUGGLING WITH ROLLED UP SOCKS • RUN A TREASURE HUNT THAT REQUIRES PHYSICAL CHALLENGES • DO A CHALK HOPSCOTCH CHAMPIONSHIP • TRY HULA HOOP COMPETITIONS • LEARN BASIC GYMNASTICS ON GRASS • DO A BACKYARD ZUMBA SESSION TAUGHT BY ONE FAMILY MEMBER • DESIGN AND RUN A FAMILY MINI OLYMPICS WITH FUN EVENTS • TRY NEW SKILLS LIKE HULA HOOPING, SKIPPING ROPE OR JUGGLING BALLS • BUILD A DIY OBSTACLE COURSE INDOORS WITH CUSHIONS AND CHAIRS • PLAY CLASSIC PLAYGROUND GAMES LIKE ELASTICS, STRINGS AND HAND-CLAPPING RHYMES • MAKE PAPER PLANES AND HOLD DISTANCE AND ACCURACY COMPETITIONS • HAVE A SOCK-PAIRING RACE WHILE FOLDING LAUNDRY • DO A PUZZLE MARATHON WITH JIGSAWS OR WORD SEARCHES • RUN A TORCH-LIGHT HIDE AND SEEK GAME IN THE BACKYARD • BUILD A CARDBOARD ROCKET OR HOUSE AND PLAY INSIDE IT • MAKE STUFF • BUILD A GIANT BLANKET FORT • COOK A FAMILY RECIPE TOGETHER • HOST AN INDOOR CAMP WITH TORCHES AND STORIES • MAKE A FAMILY TIME CAPSULE • TRY PICKLING VEGETABLES • UPCYCLE UNUSED CLOTHES INTO TOTE BAGS AND DONATE TO CHARITY • LEARN THREE BASIC MAGIC TRICKS • MAKE YOUR OWN BATH BOMBS • CREATE A HOME SPA DAY WITH NATURAL INGREDIENTS • CONDUCT SAFE KITCHEN SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS • BUILD A CARDBOARD CITY IN THE LIVING ROOM • DO A LEGO CHALLENGE WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS • MAKE A GRATITUDE WALL OR JAR • HOLD A PARENT AND CHILD BOOK CLUB • TRY SEWING A SIMPLE PILLOW • CREATE A FAMILY NEWSPAPER WITH ARTICLES AND ILLUSTRATIONS • SORT CUPBOARDS AND CREATE DONATION BOXES • MAKE A RECIPE BOOK OF FAMILY FAVOURITES • TRY CANDLE MAKING WITH ADULT HELP • DO A PUZZLE RELAY WHERE EACH PERSON COMPLETES SECTIONS IN TURNS • CREATE A FAMILY RESTAURANT NIGHT WITH MENUS AND TABLE SERVICE • BUILD A BLANKET FORT CITY WITH READING ROOMS • CREATE A KINDNESS CHALLENGE JAR • HOST A REVERSE DINNER STARTING WITH DESSERT • DO A TASTE-TEST NIGHT TO TRY NEW FOODS • SET UP A TEDDY BEAR HOSPITAL • HAVE A NO-TALKING CHARADES NIGHT • TURN CARDBOARD BOXES INTO HOUSES OR ROCKETS • PLANT A GRATITUDE TREE ON THE WALL • BUILD A MINI LIBRARY AT HOME • HAVE A THEMED DINNER • MAKE A BOREDOM BOX • MAKE GREETING CARDS • HAVE A MEMORY NIGHT • HOLD A FAMILY BAKE OFF • ORGANISE A TOY ROTATION • HAVE A NO-ELECTRICITY HOUR • PLAY RESTAURANT OR CAFÉ WITH PRETEND MENUS • BUILD A CARDBOARD PINBALL MACHINE • CREATE A HUGE DOMINO RUN • GET OUTDOORS • PLANT A NATIVE FLOWERING PLANT • LEARN TO IDENTIFY LOCAL
The facts: at a glance
• On 8 November 2024, the Government announced it would legislate 16 as the minimum age for access to social media.
• The new law aims to prevent under-16s from being exposed to harmful content, cyber-bullying and other online risks through social media platforms, helping to protect their mental health and wellbeing
• From 10 December 2025, the social media platforms in the column on the left will be required by law to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from having accounts on their platforms
Platforms affected*
Kick
Snapchat
Threads
TikTok
Twitch
X
YouTube
Platforms not affected
Discord
GitHub
Google Classroom
LEGO Play
Messenger
Roblox
Steam and Steam Chat
YouTube Kids
• The onus is on platform providers to stop under-16s from using their existing social media accounts or creating new accounts until they are of age.
• Age-restricted social media platforms must take steps to prevent under-16s from getting around the new law by using false identity documents, AI tools and deepfakes to fake their age, or by using VPNs to pretend to be outside Australia.
• Tech companies are already working on new ways to verify social media account users’ ages, including facial analysis, who they communicate with online, tone and use of online language, times they are online, and even using biological studies to map ligament movement while online.
• Companies that don’t take steps to prevent under-16s from using age-restricted social media platforms face penalties of up to $49.5 million
What this means for students
PRACTICAL SUPPORT – SAVING CONTACTS AND MEMORIES
If your daughter is younger than 16 and has accounts with now age-restricted social media platforms, these providers may contact her, advising her to simply deactivate her account until she can legally access it, along with all her posts, photos and contacts, when she turns 16.
Ask your daughter if she has received these messages so you can read them and understand the approach each company is taking and the advice already provided to her.
The Australian eSafety Commissioner (eSafety) advises young people not to rely on platform providers, but to be proactive and take steps to ensure they download anything they want to keep BEFORE 10 December 2025.
GET READY... Click here for eSafety’s Get Ready Guide for under-16s
IT’S TIME FOR UNDER-16S TO…
1) Download any posts, photos and contacts she wants to keep.
2) Make a note of her favourite communities, influencers, streamers and celebrities (their account names/handles/gamertags) so she can look them up via a web browser.
3) Research new information sources or support groups to access for news or advice.
4) Move group chats onto messaging apps that are not age restricted.
5) If your daughter posts content that other people follow, you might like to help her develop her own website so she can continue to make and post content. Please check that you are comfortable with the type of content she is posting.
IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG…
No matter how old you are, if something goes wrong while you’re on social media or anywhere else online, help is available –you don’t have to deal with it on your own. eSafety’s I need help page is a trusted, helpful resource for all young people.
TOP TIP
If your daughter has not yet registered and would like to join our Wise Phone Program with age-appropriate apps, email wisephone@ pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.
How parents can help
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT – TALKING AND LISTENING
Some students may take the loss of social media accounts in their stride, possibly with some relief. Others may be angry or upset and require more support on an emotional level. Both reactions – and everything in between – are justified and valid. Change is hard, no matter how noble the cause, and connection is everything to our young people.
Now is a time when your daughter may need to talk, vent and feel heard.
Sometimes you get the opportunity to decide the time and place for a conversation like this and sometimes it is decided for you. Try to approach it with compassion and curiosity, to open up the conversation and allow for connection.
• If you find yourself talking more than your child, you are likely in “lecture zone” – try to find a way to pass the conversation back to them with a question.
• If you can’t stay in that curious and compassionate stance (let’s face it, we all have times when we are feeling overwhelmed, defensive or irritable), it’s okay to park the conversation and revisit it later.
• Give your child some grace as they adjust for a couple of weeks – often we are not our best selves when a sudden change happens to us and it can take time to readjust.
• Model helpful behaviour. If children see their parents scrolling on their phones for hours then that will feed into feelings of frustration.
TRUSTED RESOURCES
ReachOut has great advice for students on the topics of:
• How to deal with disappointment.
• What to do if you feel lonely.
• Dealing with isolation when you live in remote or rural areas.
• How to get your parents to really listen to you.
TOP TIP
When a part of our daily routine is removed, it leaves a bit of a hole. Help your daughter make a list of other things she might like to spend time on, with people she loves, like you.
How parents can help
WHAT SHE MAY BE FEELING
Angry:
“It’s unfair / not right / too controlling!”
Sad:
“I feel alone / isolated / I’ve lost my support group / I really miss…”
Anxious:
“I’m missing out / don’t know what’s happening...”
Defiant:
“I’m going to fake my age / use another VPN / find a way around this”
TOP TIP
Upset:
“What am I going to do now?”
HOW TO RESPOND
Make space: Recognise the reaction as an opportunity to connect and remove distractions so you can focus fully on your child and the conversation.
Validate the emotion: Label the emotions that you can hear and ask them to confirm if that’s right. “I hear you’re [name feeling]. This is a big change and you were not a part of the process. It can feel like it’s something that’s being done to you rather than for you.”
Help your child engage in problem-solving: Ask her what was the need social media was meeting, and how else might they meet that need? Prompt her to create a list of alternate activities to try, different ways to connect with friends or communities, and finding other sources of news.
Evaluate: Come back to this conversation after a week to see how it’s going. Have her feelings changed? Are there other difficulties they might need help working through?
Health and wellbeing resources
Just a reminder that when school resumes next year, our College Psychologists will be available for one-on-one appointments with students; these can be made by contacting the relevant Head of Year, or through the self-referral section on the student portal.
The following external support services are also available for young people.
Beyond Blue 24/7 Mental health support service: 1300 22 4636
NSW Health 24/7 Mental Health Access Line for NSW: 1800 011 511
Headspace Support and counselling for young people (9.00am to 1.00am): 1800 650 890
Online support and counselling webchat: headspace.org.au/eheadspace
Chatswood Centre, 30 Devonshire St, Chatswood: (02) 8021 3668
Brookvale Centre, Level 2 Brookvale House, 1A Cross Street, Brookvale: (02) 9937 6500
Lifeline 24/7 Crisis support and suicide prevention services: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline 24/7 Crisis support and suicide prevention services: 1800 55 1800
ACTIVELY SUPPORTING HEALTHY HABITS
If your daughter currently spends time on social media, she will have spare time when this is no longer an option. This is the perfect opportunity to establish new family routines, for example playing Monopoly Deal as a family after dinner.
BIRD SPECIES • START A WORM FARM • VISIT A COMMUNITY GARDEN AND VOLUNTEER • TRY LEAFRUBBING ART • CREATE A WEATHER DIARY • TRACK THE MOON PHASES • GO FOSSICKING SAFELY • START COMPOSTING • PHOTOGRAPH A TREE WEEKLY TO OBSERVE CHANGES • START A BACKYARD OR BALCONY GARDEN • DO KINDNESS-TO-NATURE ACTIVITIES • PLANT SEEDS IN RECYCLED CONTAINERS • CREATE A BIRD TALLY • VISIT A PARK AND IDENTIFY WILDLIFE • CREATE A WEATHER CHART • MAKE A SIMPLE RAIN GAUGE • BUILD NATURE JEWELLERY • CREATE A NATURE DIARY • CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY • BAKE SOMETHING TO GIVE TO A NEIGHBOUR • WRITE LETTERS TO FAMILY MEMBERS • VISIT AN AGED CARE HOME • START A FAMILY KINDNESS CHALLENGE • HOLD A BRING-AND-SWAP PARTY • VOLUNTEER AT A COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP • ORGANISE A FAMILY CULTURAL NIGHT • PREPARE A SMALL PLAY FOR EXTENDED FAMILY • COLLECT UNUSED ITEMS FOR A CHARITY SALE • MAKE HANDMADE CARDS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE WORKERS • WRITE LETTERS OR DRAW PICTURES FOR AGED CARE RESIDENTS • HAVE A DRESSUP FASHION SHOW • RUN A BOOK SWAP • HOST A SKILLS SWAP SESSION • MAKE A HAPPY NEWS BOARD • HAVE A TALENT SWAP NIGHT • DO A GOOD DEED SECRET MISSION • HAVE A RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS DAY • SEND THANK YOU CARDS TO HELPERS • SET UP A FAMILY READING CHALLENGE • ORGANISE A NEIGHBOURHOOD CHALK ART GALLERY • LEARN SOMETHING NEW • READ ALOUD FROM A CHAPTER BOOK • BUILD SIMPLE MACHINES • LEARN A NEW CRAFT FROM A LIBRARY BOOK • COOK A DISH FROM ANOTHER CULTURE • START A FAMILY TRIVIA NIGHT • MAP YOUR FAMILY TREE • VISIT A MUSEUM WITH A SKETCHBOOK • DO AN ARCHAEOLOGY DIG AT HOME • LEARN TO TIE KNOTS • START A SCIENCE NOTEBOOK • COOK A RECIPE FROM ANOTHER CULTURE • LEARN A MAGIC TRICK • CREATE YOUR OWN BOARD GAME • DO SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS • HOLD A POETRY TEA PARTY • LEARN SIMPLE SEWING • CREATE A MAP OF YOUR HOME • HOLD A SCREEN-FREE SATURDAY CHALLENGE • HAVE A COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD NIGHT • VISIT A MUSEUM OR GALLERY AND SKETCH • PERFORM YOUR HEART OUT• HOST A LIVING ROOM CONCERT • CREATE A FAMILY DANCE ROUTINE • MAKE A PUPPET THEATRE • HAVE A “YES, AND...” STORYTELLING CIRCLE • HOST A MUSIC THROUGH THE DECADES NIGHT • MAKE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS • TRY THESE RANDOM LOVELY IDEAS • START A GRATITUDE JOURNAL • MAKE AN I CAN DO HARD THINGS POSTER • PLAY EMOTIONS CHARADES • WRITE A FUTURE ME LETTER • START A STORY CHAIN WITH NIGHTLY PARAGRAPHS • MAKE A FAMILY FLAG AND MOTTO • WRITE THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE, SO FAR • ASK YOUR PARENTS TO WRITE THEIR STORIES TOO • MAKE BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES TOGETHER.