Here at The Table Talk Project we believe mealtime and family conversation can anchor children’s sense of belonging, safety and self-expression. With the upcoming change to social media access for under 16s in Australia, parents now have a timely opening to create a space for honest talk with their children, not just about the rule itself, but about how they feel, what it might mean, and how together you can choose what the offline version looks like.
What’s changing?
From 10 December 2025, in Australia, platforms that are deemed “age restricted social media platforms” must take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from having their own accounts.
Some of the platforms already identified include:
• Instagram and Facebook (via Meta Platforms) which will block new under-16 accounts from 4 December and remove existing known under-16 accounts by 10 December.
• Others such as TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit and Kick are also identified as age-restricted.
It’s important to note this isn’t a criminal penalty on a child for accessing an account; rather the obligation is on platforms to take “reasonable steps”.
Why this matters for families
For children under 16 this change may feel big. It may trigger:
• frustration: “But all my friends still use it!”
• confusion: “What exactly can I still do online?”
• worry: “Am I missing out?”
• relief: “Maybe less pressure!”
For parents it’s an invitation to listen first and then lead, not by dictating, but by creating the space for kids to explore their feelings, ask questions, and co-design how the family responds.
From an evidence-based perspective, the eSafety Commissioner says that parents helping children talk through their online experiences and setting shared expectations helps build resilience and wellbeing.
How to open the conversation at the table
Here’s a practical script you might adapt to suit your family’s tone.
1. Set the scene
“Hey [child’s name], you’ve probably heard about the new rule coming in December about social media accounts for under 16s in Australia. I thought we could talk about it together, hear how you feel, and decide what we’ll do as a family.”
2. Invite their voice
“Before I say anything, I really want to hear you. What’s the first thought you had when you heard this? How do you feel about it? What worries you? What do you like about it?”
Tip: Listen without interrupting. Let them vent frustration or uncertainty. Validate: “That makes sense… I hear you.”
3. Share your perspective (briefly)
“I’ve been reading about why the rule is coming in, for example, how platforms will need to stop new under 16s from having accounts, and deactivate existing ones. I feel as your parent I want to help you pivot through this so you’re still connected with your friends, still online in smart ways, and still feeling like you have some control.”
4. Co-design your family plan
Together, brainstorm what this could look like in your family. Here are some ideas you might offer, then ask “What do you think?”
• Decide what platforms they will keep (messaging, gaming, etc) and which will change.
• Set a transition check-in: “Let’s sit down on 5 Dec and see how we’re feeling about this.”
• Create a screen-free evening (board game, walk, cook together) to reclaim connection time.
• Identify an offline challenge period: the family device off from 7 – 8 pm one night a week, and chat about what you notice.
• Encourage a journal or voice-memo for your child: “What I’m missing, what I’m gaining.”
• Make a bucket list of things to do instead of scrolling: backyard camp-out, cooking a dish together, exploring a local walk, volunteering, learning a new hobby.
5. Reassure the emotional part
“It’s ok to feel frustrated, sad, even angry about this change. If you do feel like that, I want you to know you can talk to me openly. We’ll figure this out together.”
Emphasise that this is not about punishment, it’s about belonging, safety and making choices together.
Practical next steps for your Table Talk
| Action | Who | When | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark 10 Dec 2025 in your calendar as your family “change-over chat” | Parent and child | This week | Signals the date and gives space to prepare |
| Use one mealtime this week to ask the question: “How do you feel about losing or limiting your account?” | Parent initiates | This week | Sets tone of open sharing |
| Together draft a “Family Social Media and Screen Agreement” | Whole family | Next 7 days | Co-ownership increases buy-in |
| Plan one screen-free family activity (evening or weekend) | Whole family | Before end of month | Builds desire for alternative connection |
| Still allow space for kids to express negative feelings (“I hate this”) | Parent | Ongoing | Validates emotions and reduces resistance |
What parents can keep in mind
• Acknowledge the sense of loss: for many kids, social media is tied to identity, connection and entertainment. When you validate their sense of missing something, it opens trust.
• Focus on what they feel, not just what they do: it’s tempting to jump to “Here’s what you must do instead,” but if you start with feelings you’ll get farther.
• Avoid framing it purely as bad: the law is about age-appropriate use and safety, not moral condemnation.
• Use it as a teaching moment: this invites broader conversations about digital wellbeing, resilience, peer pressure, and identity online versus offline.
• Don’t abandon it after the first talk: make it a series of conversations. Check-in: “How’s it going for you?” “What’s changed?” “What would make it better?”
• Let them lead some of the choices: kids who help craft the rules tend to follow them more willingly.
Why this is an opportunity, not just a disruption
Yes, this change will ask for adjustment. But from a Table Talk perspective, it also opens up fertile ground to lead with heart. By talking openly:
• You equip your child to use their voice and feel heard.
• You strengthen the sense of belonging at home: even when digital spaces shift, the family table remains.
• You practice vulnerability: you might say, “I’m not sure how this will go either, but we’ll try together.”
• You model leadership by example, showing them that change can be navigated with integrity, dialogue and connection.
• You create memories away from the screen that often matter deeper than any social media loop.
My final word
When the platforms implement the rules from December 10 2025, it won’t just be a change of account status, it will ripple through friendships, routines, self-image, and daily rhythms. Your role as a parent is not to fix it all, but to walk alongside, ask great questions, hold space for messy emotions, and invite your child into a shared family journey of connection beyond algorithms.
Put simply, the table talk you start today will matter. Let your child know: “Your voice matters. I’ll listen. We’ll decide together what comes next.”
