From December 10, major changes to social media access for under-16s will come into effect across Australia. These changes are designed to keep young people safer online, but they also raise important questions for families - especially for LGBTQIA+ young people who often rely on online spaces for community and connection.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new minimum age law, information from the eSafety Commissioner and how you can support the young people in your life through this transition.

What’s changing?

From 10 December 2025, people under 16 will no longer be able to create or maintain accounts on many major social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, X, Threads, Kick and Reddit

These platforms will be required to:

• Identify and deactivate existing under-16 accounts
• Prevent new under-16 sign-ups
• Block workarounds such as VPN use
• Provide ways to appeal incorrect removals

Importantly, young people and parents won’t be penalised if they try to access these platforms, with the Safety Commissioner emphasising, “This is about protecting young people, not punishing or isolating them.”

What this means for LGBTQIA+ young people

For many LGBTQIA+ youth, online spaces are not just entertainment - they’re often the safest or only place to:

• Find identity-affirming information
• Connect with peers who understand their experiences
• Access supportive communities when real-life environments feel unsafe

Because of this, some LGBTQIA+ young people may feel:

• Nervous about losing access to supportive online groups
• Afraid of losing community, especially if they’re not out at home or school
• Worried about isolation or missing important cultural moments
• Unsure where to turn for connection or reliable information

While the intention of the law is safety, it’s important to acknowledge that for some LGBTQIA+ young people, social media has been a lifeline. Any sudden shift away from those spaces can feel scary or destabilising. This is why family communication, reassurance and alternative pathways to community matter more than ever.

How families can support young people

The eSafety Commissioner recommends starting conversations early and returning to them often. Here’s how to approach it with care.

1. Talk openly about how they’re feeling, ask questions like:

• “What has social media meant for you so far?”
• “Who do you connect with online that feels important?”
• “What worries you most about the new rules?”

Validate feelings. Avoid jumping to solutions before really listening. Young people — especially queer young people - need to feel that their online relationships and communities are understood and valued.

2. Create a plan together, explore safe online alternatives, including:

• Messaging platforms not impacted by the changes
• Online gaming communities
• Educational or hobby platforms
• Age-appropriate group chats or moderated forums (including the Minus18 Youth Discord server)

3. Help them stay socially connected offline, if an LGBTQIA+ young person loses access to online community, try to:

• Seek out local LGBTQIA+ youth groups or events
• Encourage safe in-person friendships
• Support participation in creative, social or community-based activities
• Explore family-friendly events led by LGBTQIA+ organisations like Minus18

How to Stay Connected to Minus18

We're committed to ensuring our LGBTQIA+ youth community continues to have access to friends and support. We've created a guide for our young people, which includes links to the following ways to remain connected:

Join the Minus18 Newsletter

Request to join the youth-safe Minus18 Discord server

What you don’t need to do

Parents don’t need to:

• Close accounts themselves
• Monitor compliance
• Police their young person

Platforms carry the legal responsibility, not families. Your role is connection, reassurance and helping young people feel safe, supported and informed.

What happens when they turn 16?

Some platforms may allow young people to reactivate accounts once they turn 16; others may require them to start fresh. This is left to platform discretion, though eSafety “recommends that users are given a choice.”

Before removal, platforms must also provide a simple way to download content, like photos or messages.

Where to get help and reliable information

The eSafety Commissioner has created: FAQs, factsheets, blog templates, posters and social tiles, resources in multiple languages, guidance for parents, educators and young people.

All available at eSafety.gov.au

See Minus18's Guide for Young People