Written by
Fotini Veis
What you need to know
From 10 December 2025, new laws will take effect in Australia to protect young people online by restricting access to social media for those under the age of 16. This important change reflects growing community concern about the impact of early social media use on children's mental health, wellbeing and development.
Research shows that social media can expose children to unrealistic comparisons, online pressure and harmful content long before they are emotionally ready to manage it. While regulation is a positive step forward, real safety begins at home. Families continue to play the most powerful role in helping children build confidence, resilience and awareness in the digital world.
These new regulations provide an opportunity to talk openly with your child about their online experiences and what these changes mean for them. It's also a chance to review family technology habits, reinforce healthy routines, and explore age-appropriate ways for young people to connect, learn and express themselves.
This Special Report explains what the new laws mean in practice and offers practical guidance to help families prepare for the upcoming changes.
Here is the link to your Special Report
Wellbeing: Mistakes Make Champions
At this point in the year, many families are juggling the familiar end-of-year mix: exams, final assessments and the general fatigue that comes with Term 4. It can feel like a lot, for students and for the people supporting them at home.
It’s during times like these that our wellbeing theme, Mistakes Make Champions, really comes to life.
Rather than placing all the attention on results, we want to help students notice the effort they’re putting in, including the planning, the persistence, the willingness to ask questions and the small steps forward that often go unseen. These habits matter just as much as any score, and they’re what build confidence and resilience long after exam season has passed.
Families are often the first to notice these changes, steadier routines, growing independence or simply the determination to keep going. These are important wins worth celebrating.
In the coming weeks, a simple way to support your child might be to shift the conversation slightly.
Try asking:
• What’s something you worked hard on this week?
• What felt challenging, and how did you handle it?
• What did you learn from something that didn’t go to plan?
These questions help our young people recognise their own progress, not just their performance.
It’s been great to see our students step up, take risks and keep going when things get tough. We really appreciate the support you provide at home, especially in these final weeks.
