A pastoral guide to navigating the Social Media Age Ban

A Pastoral Guide to Navigating the Social Media Age Ban

Australia is preparing to implement a legislative ban on social media use for children under 16 on major platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, X, Reddit, and YouTube, starting from December 10, 2025.

For more information about how this will affect Christian schools see our Social Media Age Ban article.

For more information from the Office of the eSafety Commissioner, see their resources hub.

The potential positive and negative effects of the ban on children are broad and should be considered carefully.

Mental and Emotional Issues

Sudden withdrawal from social media may lead to feelings of social disconnection, loneliness, and craving for social interaction in highly peer-sensitive adolescents. These teens may experience stronger social cravings and emotional distress shortly after disconnection because social media often provides important social feedback and connection.
Some teens use social media as an emotional outlet or support community. Abrupt removal may reduce access to peer support, contributing to increased anxiety, depression, or emotional distress in vulnerable youth.
Teenagers who rely heavily on social media for social approval and identity formation might face declines in self-esteem and increased social anxiety when suddenly cut off, potentially exacerbating existing mental health symptoms.

Social Issues

Social media is often a primary means of communication for young people. The ban could restrict social interaction, leading to feelings of social exclusion and difficulty maintaining friendships outside physical environments.
Young people might turn to less regulated, potentially unsafe digital spaces to connect, exposing them to greater risks not mitigated by social media platform safety settings.
The ban could create generational divides and pressures, as children excluded from social media may feel left out or different from peers, affecting social inclusion and identity development.

Schools and their communities can take the following proactive steps to support young people through education, policy, and partnership with families:

Educating Students: Students are taught to protect personal information, understand digital footprints, and act respectfully online. Specialised programs should focus on privacy, online safety, the consequences of sharing images, and how to be ‘upstanders’ who respond to negative behaviours like cyberbullying. These lessons foster empathy and teach students to align their actions with Christian values of respect and kindness.
Healthy Tech Habits: Schools promote balanced technology use with programs encouraging adequate sleep, tech-free time for mindfulness, and social connections beyond screens. This supports the holistic wellbeing of students.
Mobile Phone Policies: For example, at many schools around Australia younger students hand phones to teachers during the day, while older students keep phones locked away to minimise distractions and enhance learning. This framework encourages focused studies and stronger peer interactions.
Partnering with Parents: Schools recognise that parents are the most important influence in shaping digital habits. Through webinars, expert talks, and resources, families receive practical tools to establish clear expectations and engage in open conversations about social media use.

Preparing Families and Young People

The upcoming ban is a big change and can be challenging. Here are practical steps for families founded in shared Christian values of stewardship, community, and care:

Start the Conversation Early: Discuss the reasons for the ban with your child well before December 10. Listen to their feelings and involve them in planning for a smooth transition.
Gradual Reduction: Slowly reduce social media time over weeks to prevent withdrawal and frustration. Some studies show that limiting social media use, rather than sudden removal, can lead to mental health improvements such as reduced anxiety, depression, and better sleep among teens and young adults.
Replace with Positive Activities: Encourage involvement in sports, arts, volunteering, and in-person social groups to nurture identity, connection, and belonging without screens.
Model Balance: Parents should lead by example in managing their own device use, prioritising face-to-face time and meaningful offline activities.
Set Clear Boundaries: Establish family rules about device use, screen-free times (like during meals and before bed), and privacy. Use a phone contract to clarify expectations and consequences.
Teach Digital Responsibility: Talk about the long-term impact of online behaviour, safe sharing of images, and empower children to report inappropriate conduct to trusted adults and authorities.
Regular Digital Detox: Plan device-free days to help reset habits and promote mental wellness.

A Shared Journey

This moment invites Christian schools, parents, and students to journey together with faith-inspired wisdom.

By prioritising wellbeing, kindness, and respectful community both online and offline, families and schools can shepherd young people safely through the digital landscape.

How can we support overall Student Human Flourishing?

A new report by Christian Schools Australia, in collaboration with researchers from Research Schools International and the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard, sets out the results of a landmark study exploring student flourishing in 22,000 students from 57 Christian schools that are partnered with Christian Schools Australia.

A summary infographic of the report is available here. Most notably, it included survey questions on smartphone use by students.

Due to the design of the study, the findings were descriptive only. The charts and findings should not be interpreted causally.

In the descriptive sense, student flourishing increases:

With belief in a personal God
With a sense of playfulness
By laughing with other students
As families worship together
When parent remain married
When smartphone use falls

Greater detail about the design and outcomes of the study is available via Christian Schools Australia. The full report has been made available to CSA members.