The ban on under-16s using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter) comes into effect this Wednesday, December 10.

From Wednesday, age-restricted social media platforms will have to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from creating or keeping an account.

The e-safety Commissioner says the restrictions aim to protect young Australians from pressures and risks that users can be exposed to while logged in to social media accounts. These come from design features that encourage them to spend more time on screens, while also serving up content that can harm their health and wellbeing.

The conditions for age restriction are:

• the sole purpose, or a significant purpose, of the service is to enable online social interaction between two or more end-users
• the service allows end-users to link to, or interact with, some or all of the other end-users
• the service allows end-users to post material on the service.

Online gaming and standalone messaging apps are among a number of types of services that have been excluded under the legislative rules. However, messaging services that have social-media style features, which allow users to interact in other ways apart from messaging, may be included in the age restrictions, as well as messaging features accessed through age-restricted social media accounts.

The responsibility for managing the transition to the social media ban has fallen on parents across Lismore and the Northern Rivers. However, the Lismore App found that schools have also played their part in educating students so they felt informed and prepared.

Trinity Catholic College has shared a number of resources with students and parents, Richmond Secondary College, Lismore High Campus, held two-hour targeted lessons that guided students through a comprehensive learning module that explained the new changes, how the legislation affects young people, and the responsibilities that social media organisations now hold in protecting minors online, and the Living School has gone with a high-tech partner to support students well-being, independence and real world connection.

Students in public schools have not been allowed to use mobile phones during school hours since Term 4 2023.

Lismore High has been helping students and families prepare for upcoming national digital safety changes. Students worked through a resource booklet covering online safety, age verification, the effects of social media use, and strategies for managing the transition.

They discussed the emotions these changes may bring and were given practical tips such as reducing social media use, saving important photos, and collecting friends’ contact details.

The school has also been sharing regular updates with families and has sent out a Parent Guide with advice for supporting young people. A Police Youth Liaison Officer delivered a presentation on online safety, giving students guidance on recognising risks and making positive online choices.

To comply with the new laws, Lismore High is updating its social media content guidelines, including photo use and consent processes, to better protect students’ digital identities. The overall initiative aims to promote digital wellbeing and ensure the whole school community feels informed and supported during the transition.

As for Trinity Catholic College, Principal Jesse Smith told the Lismore App, "Our approach is primarily focused on educating students, staff, parents and families to understand the legislative changes that will come into effect from 10 December.

"A variety of perspectives exist regarding the legislation's efficacy. Our role in schools is not to commentate, but to educate young people about the appropriate, safe and responsible use of technology.

"It is beyond question that social media can have a detrimental effect on the well-being of young people. It is also true that technology is a prominent feature of our contemporary world - a feature that will remain. Supporting young people to engage with technology, including social media and artificial intelligence, in an ethical manner is a key challenge of our time.

"Delaying a young person's access to social media will not educate them about responsible, safe and ethical use of social media. As adults, we must model for young people what appropriate digital citizenship looks like at the same time as building their skills in navigating the online world safely." 

To help parents and students understand the upcoming changes and to prepare, Trinity shared a number of resources with parents and families:

• Parent & Carer Guide - The Australian 16+ Age Delay by Kirra Pendergast. The e-Safety Commissioner’s Regulatory Guidance.
• The Australian Minimum Age Regulatory Framework Decoded by Kirra Pendergast. 
• Student Guide - by Kirra Pendergast. This was shared with students on 20 October 2025. 
• Council of Catholic School Parents NSW / ACT - Social Media Age Restrictions

Progressive independent school, the Living School, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with New York–based technology company Light to pioneer Australia’s first school-based minimalist phone trial for students.

The collaboration will explore how the Light Phone III can support student wellbeing, independence and real-world connection in the lead-up to, and beyond, Australia’s new under-16 social media ban. The initiative positions Living School at the forefront of a national rethinking of childhood, technology and attention.

“We’re not anti-technology,” said John Stewart, Founder of Living School. “We’re pro-childhood. This partnership is about designing environments that protect attention, foster presence, and help young people build a healthy relationship with the tools that will shape their lives.”

The pilot will roll out in three phases:

• Phase One: A select group of Year 9 students will begin using the Light Phone III in daily life to explore its impact on focus, connection and wellbeing.
• Phase Two: Devices will be used on extended Living School expeditions, including
• multi-week interstate learning journeys such as the school’s recent 4,500km fossil expedition to Winton, Queensland.
• Phase Three (Scoping): The school will explore whether Light Phones can transform its fleet of school buses into mobile classrooms, shifting travel time from scrolling to conversation, reflection and learning.

“The switch to Light Phone is not intended as a punishment or a ban,” Bolus said. “It’s a tool that empowers young people to focus on what matters most—deep learning, genuine relationships, and connection with their world. That’s what education should support," said Rich Bolus, Chief Development Officer.