“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Romans 12:2
When I am asked why I chose to study education, my answer always returns to one theme, connection. Whether in the classroom or through our Pastoral Programs, we have the privilege of helping young people make sense of an ever-changing world. Our work connects human development, societal change, and the critical thinking skills students need to understand how and why the world around them is shifting.
Health and wellbeing today are recognised as multi-dimensional, encompassing physical, mental, social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual domains. This holistic view is especially important as we consider the digital spaces where young people now spend much of their time. As educators, we share a collective responsibility to help them grow and adapt at a pace that matches their age and maturity, supported by the adults and systems around them. Our role is not only to protect, but to shape, helping our youth develop discernment and resilience in a world that often demands conformity.
A recent Mission Australia and Orygen report[1] found that 97% of young people use social media daily, with nearly 40% spending three or more hours online. The connection between social media and youth mental health is one of the most significant wellbeing discussions of our time. While social media can support creativity and connection, it also carries risks when used excessively or without adequate guidance.
As Mrs Brown has highlighted, from Wednesday 10 December, new social media age restrictions will take effect across Australia. These world-first reforms mean children under 16 years of age will no longer be able to hold accounts on most major platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. The laws target the platforms, not families, and are designed to protect young people during a formative stage of their development.
The reforms aim to give young people a healthier, safer start online by reducing risks such as exposure to harmful or manipulative content, and the pressures created by addictive design features like streaks, alerts, and endless scrolling – all of which can contribute to poor sleep, increased stress, and reduced wellbeing.
The eSafety Commissioner[2] describes these changes as a delay, not a ban, an opportunity to say, “not yet” rather than “no.” This pause allows young people to further develop their digital, social, and emotional skills, helping them prepare for responsible online engagement later in life.
For more information regarding age restrictions, and guidance to navigate this change, I encourage you to visit the eSafety Commissioner’s resources.
[1] La Sala, L., Filia, K., Gao, C.X., Baker, D., Browne, V., Brennan, N., Freeburn, T., & Teo, S.M. (2025). Social Media & Young People in Australia: Findings from the 2024 Mission Australia Youth Survey. Melbourne, VIC: Orygen & Sydney, NSW: Mission Australia.
[2] eSafety Commissioner. (2025, October 17). Social media ‘ban’ or delay FAQ. Retrieved from https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions/faqs