Australia’s Social Media Ban

🚨 Under-16 Social Media Ban: What Parents MUST Know to Protect Their Children.

Whether people like it or not, Australia’s new law banning social media accounts for under-16s is coming. Predators are using social platforms every single day to target, groom, manipulate, and exploit children.

Removing young kids from these environments reduces risk — but it doesn’t remove danger entirely.

Here’s how to stay ahead of the threats:

🔹 Talk to your child about grooming tactics:

Predators build trust slowly. They use gaming chats, DMs, emotional manipulation, fake accounts, and promises. Your child must understand how grooming works — not just that it exists.

🔹 Monitor where they move online:

When social media shuts off, many kids will shift to apps and platforms outside the spotlight. Predators will too. Stay aware of messaging apps, gaming platforms, livestream apps, and unfamiliar websites.

🔹 Teach them to recognise danger:

Red flags: secrecy, gifts, flattery, threats, requests for photos, or anyone asking them to move conversations “somewhere private.”

🔹 Stay connected and available:

If your child feels they can talk to you without fear of punishment, they are far more likely to report suspicious behaviour.

🔹 Explain why the law exists — clearly

Kids need to hear it: predators go where children are. Social media is one of the biggest hunting grounds.

🔹 Don’t rely on the ban alone:

Predators adapt fast. They are masters of manipulation. Parental involvement, education, and communication are STILL the strongest line of defence.

The truth: Child predators never stop evolving — so neither can parents. Stay aware, stay involved, and stay talking. Your child’s safety depends on it.

www.projectrescuechildren.org