Issue 13 28 Nov 2025

Social Media Laws

We would like to draw your attention to the upcoming changes around social media access for children under 16, and to invite you into a conversation about what this means for your family. As one wise colleague put it, “We can’t fence the ocean.” We cannot rely solely on legislation to keep our young people safe online. What matters most is what we do together to build their digital resilience, self-awareness, and support networks.

What’s happening?

From 10 December 2025, many social media platforms will be required by law to take reasonable steps to ensure Australians under 16 cannot create or keep accounts on them.

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Important points for you as parents:

• Platforms most likely affected include: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, Threads, Reddit and others.
• Under-16s will still be able to view publicly available social media content even if they cannot hold an account.
• There are no penalties for children under 16, or for parents, if an account is accessed. The legal burden is on the platforms.
• The intent is not simply to ban kids from being online, but to provide a “breathing space” for younger adolescents to build skills around digital use before full social-media engagement.
• eSafety Commissioner+1  
  
• That said, the law is only part of the picture: Sadly, there is no perfect way to legislate away all risks. Age verification, enforcement and unintended consequences are real challenges.

Why this matters?

As educators, carers and parents we recognise that the online world is a double-edged tool for young people.

On one hand:

• Social media and online platforms can help young people connect, learn, express themselves, find communities and support.
• Many children and adolescents use online spaces to explore identity, interact with peers, and gain access to information and hobbies that they might struggle to find offline.

On the other hand:

• There are real risks: exposure to harmful content, cyber-bullying, pressure around body image, social comparison, addictive design features in platforms, a fast-moving world of digital technologies (including AI) that can amplify risk.
• The legislation is not a silver bullet. It might reduce some risks, but new ones will continue to emerge.
• As the new regulation focuses on under-16s, older teens and young adults will continue to face online risks.
  

So: while regulation has a role, the heart of our work remains investing in digital literacy, open conversation, trusted relationships, helping children develop the skills to engage online safely and meaningfully, and collaborating with technology platforms and the wider sector to co-design solutions. At Bravehearts, we believe that involving young people and the tech sector in crafting responses gives us a better chance of success than simply imposing age limits.

Supporting young people through the change

Change can be unsettling. For many adolescents, social media is part of how they connect, how they feel “in the loop,” how they explore who they are. If the rule changes feel abrupt, unfair or punitive, young people may feel excluded, isolated or simply bypass the new rules in other ways.

What you can do now:

Further Resources & Support

Here are some official links and support services that you may find helpful:

• eSafety Commissioner – Social media age restrictions and your family: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/social-media-age-restrictions eSafety Commissioner

• eSafety – How will the changes affect me if I’m under-16: https://www.esafety.gov.au/young-people/social-media-age-restrictions eSafety Commissioner
  eSafety – Get-ready guide for parents and carers: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/social-media-age-restrictions/get-ready-guide eSafety Commissioner

• Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) – Social media minimum age, privacy & age assurance: https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/your-privacy-rights/social-media-minimum-age OAIC
  

And for wellbeing / counselling support:

• Kids Helpline – 24/7 phone & online support for 5- to 25-year-olds.
• eheadspace – For 12- to 25-year-olds (and others concerned about a young person).
• Beyond Blue – Online chat and 24/7 support for all ages.

Be Bold Be Heard -Soroptimists International Grant

On Wednesday 26th November Ms Solly and Mr Headlam went to Parliament House to receive a substantial grant from the Soroptimists International (SI) for the Be Bold, Be Heard initiative. Throughout the last few years SI Geelong have been a wonderful partner to the program, sponsoring 10 students to participate and it is with great pleasure that we continue this lasting partnership as it not only aligns with the values and motivations behind our program it also enables growth of the program into other areas of the state. This broad promotion will enable so many more young women to be empowered and lead change in their own communities. As schools across Victorian begin to take on this program we are also working as a committee to ensure that there is a way of centralising our connection through a website that our techs have begun the process of setting up.

Year 12 Graduation Night

Last Tuesday’s Year 12 Graduation Night was a truly memorable celebration of our students’ achievements, growth, and resilience. As I watched each graduate cross the stage, I couldn’t help but reflect on how far they have come, both as learners and as young adults ready to take on the world beyond our school gates.

Over the years, we have seen these students mature in remarkable ways. They have developed the confidence to express their ideas, the courage to face challenges head-on, and the determination to reach their goals. Many began their journey with uncertainty about who they wanted to be, and last night it was clear that they leave us with a strong sense of purpose and identity.

Graduation is not only a celebration of academic achievement; it is a milestone that marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Our Year 12s have shown persistence through change, compassion for one another, and a commitment to their own learning. These qualities will undoubtedly serve them well as they move into further study, apprenticeships, employment, or other exciting pathways.

To our graduates: we are incredibly proud of you. Thank you for the energy, leadership, and spirit you have brought to our school community. As you step forward into new opportunities, remember that success is not defined by a single moment but by the character and integrity you carry with you each day.

We wish you every success and happiness in the years ahead. You will always be part of our school family.

Exams, Orientation, Swimming, STEM and Reports.

Whilst our year 12 students have completed (?) their celebrations the school continues, business as usual. Year 11 students have now completed their exams and are in the middle of their year 12 orientation programs, many citing a significant increase in workload already. The year 10 students are completing their exams and will begin their orientation program next week. At the same time as this the year 7, 8 and 9 students are attacking their exams in preparation for the rigour of senior study in their future years. All students thus far have exhibited an excellent approach to this part of the year. It would seem as though there is a fantastic culture towards learning at NGSC as it is certainly vibrant at this time of year.

Next week the year 7 and 8 students hit the pool, thank goodness the sun is starting to break through the clouds! This is a week-long program prior to our massive activities week, whilst at the same time the year 8 students engage with STEM in a fun and hands-on manner, building their own amusement parks. This has been a mainstay of term 4 in recent years and look forward to seeing what is created in 2025.

Please note that the end of year Reports will be published in the last week of term. We have included an attendance filter for easy reference for parents this year. This is another strategy to inspire students to attend school more frequently and more information and strategies will be promoted in 2026 to support parents in helping their children maintain 95%+ attendance.

Other Key Dates and Information 

• 8th December - Assessment and Reporting Writing Day - no classes.
• 9th December Beach Day
• 10th December End of year activities 10th December End of year activities
• 11th December Awards night
• 12th December End of Year activities

Orientation programs for new students

Grade 6 into 7

• 8th December - Parent information Night
• 9th December to 10th December - Student transition program

New students 8-12 information Session

• Date: Tuesday 9th December
• Time: 9.30 am -11:30 am
• Place: Students are asked to meet in the college foyer, Administration Office, between 9.15am and 9.25am
• Dress: Casual Clothes

New students 8-12 Parent and Student information session

• Date: Tuesday 9th December
• Time: 10:45 am - 11:30 am
• Place: Parents to meet in the foyer of the Administration Office at 10:40am
• *This will include presentations in relation to wellbeing, key dates, financial matters, devices etc.