It always starts small.
A niggle.
A quiet wondering that something’s not quite right.
And then it snowballs.
We all know it. We all feel it.
The world our kids are growing up in isn’t the same one we did. And that’s not always a bad thing – but it’s also not always a good one.
When it comes to social media, the worry is widespread and real.
So now, Australia is stepping in with a bold move.
From December this year, social media platforms will be off-limits to anyone under 16. A world-first ban.
And while it’s been widely supported – especially by exhausted parents – there are still more questions than answers. If you’ve been wondering how it’s going to work… well, you’re not alone.
The law’s been passed. Big tech companies like Meta, TikTok and Snapchat are now legally responsible for keeping young users off their platforms. If they fail, they could be fined up to $50 million. But here’s the kicker – the systems to actually enforce this aren’t ready yet.
The government is currently running something called the Age Assurance Technology Trial – which is exactly what it sounds like, a bunch of tech being tested to figure out how old someone is. Facial scans, hand movements, voice patterns, and online behaviour are all part of the mix. But none of them are perfect. The most accurate method is using government ID – things like a passport or licence. That brings its own set of problems, most kids don’t have one, and families are understandably reluctant to upload private documents to social media platforms.
Because of an amendment to the law, companies will have to offer an alternative to ID upload. And let’s be real – the moment there’s a workaround, teenagers will find it. If there’s a gap, someone will slide through it. That’s just how it goes.
Even the eSafety Commissioner said, quite frankly, “We may still be building this plane while flying it.” I appreciate the honesty. No one’s pretending this will be perfect, but I admire the intent, the effort and the passion that someone is doing SOMETHING.
The ban is coming. But it’s only one part of the puzzle. As psychologist Jonathan Haidt explained recently on ABC’s Conversations podcast, we’ve spent the last decade overprotecting kids in the real world and underprotecting them online. And now we’re seeing the impact – in mental health, in identity, in attention span, in anxiety.
He calls social media access before 16 “insanity,” warning that it exposes children to the “big four” risk factors: graphic sexual content, extreme violence, addiction, and danger to self or others. Haidt is part of a growing international movement urging governments to delay smartphone and social media access until at least 16. He’s praised Australia’s response, calling it “bold and necessary.”
The data supports the concern. Since 2011, rates of hospitalisation for psychiatric care among 12 to 17-year-olds in Australia have nearly doubled, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, with girls most affected. While experts like Dr Rachael Murrihy remind us that mental health is complex and influenced by multiple factors, even she agrees, for some children, the impact of social media has been catastrophic.
Let’s Talk About Screen Time
As a principal – and a parent – I know how overwhelming it can feel to raise children in today’s digital world. Screens are everywhere. They’re in our homes, our classrooms, our pockets. And while they’re not inherently bad, they come with challenges we can’t ignore.
I’ve had countless conversations with families about screen time. Some are worried about how much time their kids spend online. Others are unsure how to set boundaries. Many are just trying to keep up.
So here’s what I’ve learned – from research, real life, and many honest chats in the carpark and around the kitchen table.
First, know the limits – and stick to them where you can. The Australian government recommends no screen time for under 2s, less than 1 hour per day for ages 2–5, and no more than 2 hours a day for 5–17-year-olds (outside of schoolwork). These limits aren’t about punishment – they’re about protecting sleep, focus, and emotional wellbeing.
Be the example. Our children watch us more than they listen. If we want them off screens, we have to put ours down too. It’s hard, but powerful.
Create screen-free spaces – the dinner table, bedrooms, the car on short trips. These become anchors in your day. At school, we keep playtimes tech-free so kids can reconnect with nature, friendship and their own imagination.
Talk about it. Kids need to understand the why. Talk about what they’re seeing, how it makes them feel, and what they’d do if something online made them uncomfortable. These are conversations, not interrogations.
Offer alternatives. Replace screen time with something compelling – board games, baking, trampoline time, cubby building, even old-school boredom. Research shows that every hour of screen time displaces physical activity, creative play and social connection (Displacement Hypothesis, ANU).
Use tech wisely. Tools like Apple’s Screen Time or Google Family Link can be helpful – but use them with transparency. It’s not about spying. It’s about safety and balance.
And watch for the slow creep. One hour becomes three. A weekend slips by without sunshine. When you notice it, call a reset. No shame. Just a new start.
Why it matters
The links between screen overuse and poor wellbeing are well documented. Teen girls who use Instagram for over an hour a day are 32% more likely to report body dissatisfaction (Butterfly Foundation, 2022). Research from the University of Queensland found that wellbeing dips sharply after 75 minutes of recreational screen time per day for girls, and 105 minutes for boys.
Kids are also sleeping less, focusing less, and struggling more to manage their emotions – and much of it traces back to time spent online. And let’s not forget: they’re learning their habits from us.
We’re not aiming for perfection.
But we can strive for presence.
We can listen. We can lead. We can model.
Watch this space…
FromtheForest 
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