Social media has become part of daily life for many families, and it is easy to share our children’s moments without stopping to think about the long term impact. As Australia introduces a world first social media ban for children under 16, the conversation has shifted.
Parents are now reflecting on how much of their children’s lives should appear online and what thoughtful sharing really looks like.
As a mother and as the Editor in Chief of Stay at Home Mum, I have always been careful about how much of my children’s lives I allow online. They appear occasionally in photos, but never with identifying details such as names, birthdays or milestones. That boundary feels essential for their safety and dignity. At Stay at Home Mum, the standard is even higher. If a child cannot give informed consent, they are not featured.
Privacy and protection always come first.
The upcoming social media ban makes these decisions even more timely. Below, we explore what the ban means for families, why it is being introduced and how parents can approach social media with more intention.
The Big Question, Should We Be Sharing Our Children’s Lives Online?
Posting photos or videos of children creates a digital record that can follow them into adulthood. What feels harmless today may not feel harmless to them later. Parents are becoming more aware of issues such as:
Privacy and Digital Safety
Once an image is online, control over it is limited. It can be saved, reshared or used without permission. This is especially concerning with the rise of image misuse involving minors.
Consent and Autonomy
Children cannot fully understand what it means to have their image online. Teaching them that they can say no helps build respect for their boundaries from a young age. In my home, I always ask before taking or sharing a photo. If the answer is no, that is the end of it.
The Emotional Impact of Oversharing
Children deserve the chance to share their own stories in their own way. When every milestone, tantrum or achievement is posted publicly, it can create pressure or embarrassment as they grow.
The Upcoming Social Media Ban for Under-16s in Australia, and What It Means for Families
Starting December 10th, social media platforms must deactivate accounts belonging to users under 16. New accounts cannot be created by anyone under that age. The eSafety Commissioner will enforce compliance, and platforms that fail to take reasonable steps may face costly penalties.
Why Is Australia Introducing This Ban?
Reasons include:
- reducing harm from cyberbullying and online predators.
- limiting excessive screen time that affects sleep and development.
- ensuring minors are not profiled or tracked by data collecting platforms.
- giving families more clarity around when children should access social media.
Research continues to highlight the risks. A 2023 American Psychological Association review found that high levels of social media use are linked to increased anxiety and depression in young people.
The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne has reported that screen use before bed can disrupt sleep patterns, while neuroscientists have shown that constant stimulation from scrolling activates stress responses in developing brains.
Cyberbullying remains one of the most common harms. UNICEF estimates that one in three young people globally have experienced it. Public sharing by parents can unintentionally place children at higher visibility and risk.
Why Do Some People Oppose the Social Media Ban?
Concerns include:
- restricting teens’ access to important social and support networks.
- risks to privacy through age verification systems.
- pushing children toward workarounds such as VPNs or fake ages.
And yes, some children will try to bypass the rules, much like any law. That does not mean the ban is pointless. Laws define expectations and provide consequences. We still outlaw robbery and violence even though these crimes occur. The social media ban operates on the same principle, setting a standard for what is safe and acceptable.
Human rights organisations have also raised concerns about limiting freedom of expression and access to information.
These points are valid and worth ongoing discussion.
What This Means for Parents Right Now
Parents remain the primary decision makers in how children interact with the online world. This is a good moment to reevaluate your family’s approach.
Do I Really Need to Post This?
Many moments are meaningful without being shared publicly.
Would My Child Be Comfortable With This Later?
If the answer is uncertain, it is safer not to share.
Am I Modelling Respect for Consent?
Children learn from what we do. Asking for permission shows them how to ask for the same.
As someone who works in digital media, I know how permanent online content can be. That awareness shapes the boundaries I set for my children. They do not have social media accounts. Their identities and personal information remain private. Any photo that includes them only goes online if they are comfortable with it.
At Stay at Home Mum, the rule is clear. If a child cannot give informed consent, they are not identified or featured. This protects them from having a digital footprint created without their understanding.
What Does Thoughtful Sharing Look Like for Parents During a National Social Media Ban?
Every family has its own comfort level, but thoughtful sharing begins with recognising that online content can travel far and last a long time. Being intentional, instead of posting automatically, is often the safest path.
The national social media ban reinforces how seriously Australia is addressing children’s digital wellbeing. It has changed the conversation, even if the legal responsibilities for parents remain the same.
Australia’s decision is also drawing global attention. Countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Spain are discussing similar measures. European leaders have publicly praised Australia’s bold approach, and several nations are testing new age verification tools. At the same time, critics worry about privacy, data breaches and unintended consequences for adult users.
Australian leaders argue that stronger protections are needed. They describe today’s digital environment as overwhelming for young minds. Supporters believe the ban signals a commitment to safeguarding childhood in a fast moving technological world.
Yes, some young people will try to bypass the rules. That happens with any law. But laws exist to draw boundaries and create a shared understanding of what a society considers safe.
So what role do parents play in all this?
Thoughtful sharing becomes less about avoiding social media entirely and more about understanding the lasting impact of each post. Australia may be taking a bold regulatory step, but parents still shape how children learn about privacy, consent and safety.
This moment is a turning point. A chance for families to reconsider how their children appear online, how much of their story is shared before they can speak for themselves and how we can help build a safer digital world for the generation growing up now.
All images on the SAHM website that contain children are AI generated so as never to use real life images of children.
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