Raising connected kids beyond social media

Australia’s restrictions on social media use for children under 16 have sparked debate in homes, schools and communities across the country. As the first country in the world to implement such regulations, Australia is under a global spotlight as other countries look to us to see if they want to follow.

The Government’s eSafety Commissioner says the aim is to reduce young people’s exposure to harmful content, addictive platform design and online pressure. Some parents and educators see the move as a crucial step towards protecting young people’s wellbeing, while others worry about how it will work in practice and what it means for teenagers who rely heavily on social media to stay connected.

Why this conversation matters now

Regardless of where families stand on the issue, one thing is clear: many parents are now having (or know they need to have) important conversations about how children communicate, build friendships and consume information online.

Why social media matters to young people

For today’s young people, social media is about much more than entertainment. It is where friendships are maintained, trends emerge and social identity is shaped. Being disconnected from those platforms can feel isolating, particularly when so much of teenage culture happens online.

That is why resistance to change is understandable. For many children and teenagers, social media is closely tied to belonging and inclusion. Simply removing access without discussion can sometimes create conflict rather than understanding.

At the same time, growing numbers of parents are becoming concerned about the impact of constant scrolling, online comparison and the pressure to always be available and connected. Schools are also increasingly aware of the challenges associated with misinformation, cyberbullying and the difficulty many students face in switching off from the digital world.

How parents can address the challenge

The challenge for parents is how to help develop healthier and more balanced ways of using technology, without demonising it or disconnecting children from it altogether.

Acknowledgement

One of the first things parents can do is to acknowledge just how hard this may be for their sons and daughters – by asking them how they feel about the change, listening to them and making them feel heard. Beyond Blue encourages parents to let their children know they are available and willing to talk, to stay calm and curious, to ask open questions and to validate their feelings. Many young people will genuinely feel distraught by what they see as a lack of connection and control.

Moving from control to conversation

Importantly, parents do not need to position themselves as “anti-technology”. Children are far more likely to respond positively when conversations focus on balance, wellbeing and healthy habits rather than punishment or control.

Open communication is critical. Instead of approaching social media through surveillance or strict policing, experts encourage parents to ask children what they enjoy online, who they follow and how certain content makes them feel. This can create far more productive conversations than simply imposing rules.

Connection beyond the scroll

Parents can also encourage young people to maintain connections beyond social media platforms. Face-to-face interaction remains incredibly important, particularly during adolescence. Sport, music, clubs, volunteering and shared family activities all help children build confidence, relationships and identity in the real world, not just online.

Alternative technologies

Technology itself can also be part of the solution. Parents can research and talk to teenagers and children about permitted messaging platforms, collaborative apps and creative tools that enable young people to stay connected without relying entirely on social media feeds driven by algorithms and endless scrolling.

Teaching children to think critically online

These conversations also provide opportunities to help children become more discerning digital citizens. Young people today are exposed to an enormous amount of content every day, ranging from news and entertainment to influencer marketing and AI-generated material. Much of it is designed to capture attention, trigger emotion or encourage engagement.

Helping children understand this is an important life skill.

Parents can encourage critical thinking by discussing questions such as:

• Is this information trustworthy?
• Is this image realistic or heavily edited?
• Why might someone be posting this content?
• How do algorithms influence what we see online?

The goal is not to make children in any way fearful of technology, but to help them develop the judgement and confidence to navigate it wisely.

Supporting healthy digital habits

Digital literacy is becoming just as important as traditional literacy. Schools continue to play a significant role in helping students understand online safety and responsible technology use, but many of the most important lessons happen at home through everyday conversations and shared experiences.

As technology continues to evolve, social media platforms will change, new apps will emerge and online habits will continue to shift. While parents cannot control every aspect of their children’s digital world, they can help shape how young people engage with it.

Ultimately, the focus should not solely be on the negatives of restricting access to social media, but on the positive impact of helping children build healthy relationships, strong communication skills and the ability to think critically about the digital environments around them.

Because in a rapidly changing online world, connection matters more than the platform itself.

Optional sidebar

Conversation starters for parents

• What do you enjoy most about social media?
• Do you ever feel pressure to keep up with what others are posting?
• Have you ever seen something online that later turned out not to be true?
• How do you decide whether someone online is trustworthy?
• What would a healthy balance with technology look like for you?
• What activities or hobbies help you feel connected outside of your phone?