Social Media Delay: How to support young people

The Social Media Delay introduced by the Australian Government is now in effect. 

Every teen uses social media in different ways, so the best way to support your child through this transition is to find out how they’re feeling and come up with practical solutions together for any worries they have.

Those under 16 years, will still have access to other online spaces and apps. Take the time to talk about digital safety, mental wellbeing and how to tell fact from fiction in the content they see.

Find information for children, parents, educators and more, by going to the eSafety website: https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions-hub

You can also visit the Royal Children’s Kids Health Info fact sheet to help teach your teens how to spot mis- and disinformation online: https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/healthinfo/

There are also resources online which can help young people navigate this challenging period of transition:

7 tips for dealing with change: https://au.reachout.com/challenges-and-coping/coping/7-tips-for-dealing-with-change

What to do when you’re feeling lonely: 11 helpful tips: https://au.reachout.com/challenges-and-coping/isolation-and-loneliness/what-to-do-when-feeling-lonely-tips

How to cope when things feel out of your control: https://au.reachout.com/mental-wellbeing/postive-mindsets/how-acceptance-can-help-you-cope-with-things-out-of-your-control

If you or someone you know needs help, reach out to:

Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800 https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Headspace: https://headspace.org.au/

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ 

13 YARN: 13 92 76  https://www.13yarn.org.au/