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Within days, Australian children under the age of 16 will be kicked off social media – if you’re a parent, here’s how you should handle the transition.
Whether you support it or think it’s a bad idea, Australia’s social media ban for under-16s will come into effect on 10 December, this week.
If you’re a parent or carer, no doubt you’ve already had several conversations about it, but if you haven’t, the time to have that probably uncomfortable chat is now.
“Parents have a key role to play in helping children understand and adapt to these changes. Particularly for those who spend a lot of time on social media now, the changes are likely to come with a range of emotions, from anxiety or grief to anger,” Professor Marie Yap, psychologist and parenting expert at the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health in the Monash School of Psychological Sciences, said.
“If social media is already a big part of their lives, they may struggle to find replacements that meet their needs in the same way, including the need for connection, self-expression, and to seek support, especially if they’re unable to find support offline.”
The most important thing for any carer or parent to do is know what they’re talking about in the first place. According to Yap, knowing as much as you can about the ban, why it exists, and how it (potentially, at least) works is paramount.
“Equip yourself with accurate information and know how to answer their questions or correct any dis or misinformation they may bring up,” Yap said.
“The Australian eSafety Commissioner’s website is a great place to start.”
Using the right tone also matters, with Yap noting that a tone that is too judgemental or forceful can lead children not to be honest about how the ban impacts them. Parents should also avoid reacting poorly to any emotional outbursts from children who are about to lose access to community and social circles.
“The focus should be on showing empathy, validating their feelings and keeping the dialogue open. Be aware of who is influencing their opinions on the topic,” Yap said.
“This could be friends, public figures, or even social media influencers. That insight will help you understand their logic and can inform your discussions.”
However, while these discussions may be a challenging topic to breach, they can also be an opportunity.
“For some parents, these kinds of conversations will be new. Not all families talk openly about their online lives. This is a great opportunity to develop a more open and trusting dialogue with your children on this topic,” Yap said.
“It’s possible, if this is the first time you are discussing it with them, that you may be surprised by your child’s social media usage. Please try to pause and breathe before reacting. Again, you don’t want to shut that door and make your children think they have to hide things from you for fear of upsetting or angering you.
“Creating a safe space for your children to talk openly will strengthen your relationship and enable you to help them navigate the dynamic digital world they are growing up in.”
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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