Find out about social media age restrictions for Australians under 16. Learn more

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Social media age restrictions for under-16s are now in effect Find out more

Under 16 and not coping with the social media changes? Get help

You now need to be 16+ to have a social media account, to keep you safer online. Learn more

Social media age restrictions for under-16s are now in effect Find out more

Under 16 and not coping with the social media changes? Get help

You now need to be 16+ to have a social media account, to keep you safer online. Learn more

The Australian Government is protecting young Australians at a critical stage of their development, through world-first social media age restrictions. Learn about what this means for you as a young person, parent, carer or educator.

Social media age restrictions hub

For young people

For parents and carers

Prime Minister's message to students

about the age restrictions

Learn about

online harm

Cyberbullying is when someone uses the internet to be mean to a child or young person so they feel bad or upset.

Adult cyber abuse is when the internet is used to send, post or share content that is harmful to the physical or mental health of someone who is 18 or older.

Image-based abuse is sharing, or threatening to share, an intimate image or video of a person without their consent.

Illegal and restricted content includes material that shows or encourages child sexual abuse, terrorism or other extreme violence.

Our latest news

and advisories

Kirribilli House address

This speech was delivered by eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant at Kirribilli House in Sydney NSW.

Domestic violence

From smart cars to tracking devices: Technology's increasing role in coercive control and family and domestic violence

How smart devices, including cars, are being turned into tools of abuse. Recognise the signs, learn some quick safety steps, and see what companies must fix.

blog

How virtual 3D spaces can intensify harm – and what must change

This ‘Converge’ blog builds on eSafety’s position statement on immersive technologies and looks at how extended reality (XR) can amplify existing gender-based harms online.

Senate Estimates opening address

Thank you for the opportunity to provide an update on a very busy period since the last hearing in February, including the recent proliferation of extreme violent material we’ve seen online.

Australia makes history with the social media minimum age

eSafety will begin monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Australian Government’s social media minimum age from today, supporting parents and providing a crucial buffer for under-16s developing digital literacy and resilience.

eSafety publishes guidance ahead of new codes coming into force to protect Australian kids from harmful content

eSafety has published regulatory guidance ahead of the commencement of new industry codes requiring online services to protect children from exposure to age-inappropriate content like pornography, high-impact violence.

Australia and Ireland deepen international cooperation on online harms

The eSafety Commissioner has signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ireland’s Coimisiún na Meán to strengthen international cooperation on online safety and platform accountability.

Domestic violence

Design failures make smart cars a new weapon for violent partners

eSafety is urging Australians to understand how smart car features can be misused to monitor, track and intimidate women experiencing domestic and family violence.

The online experiences of children in Australia

eSafety’s Keeping Kids Safe Online survey explores the benefits, opportunities and risks that the online world offers children in Australia.

It’s more than fun and games: The online gaming experiences of young people with disability

The world of online gaming is a digital playground for children and young people with disability, but it’s also a place where they are more likely to have negative experiences than their peers.

Helpful

information

The eSafety Guide

Find out how to protect your personal information and report harmful content on common social media, games, apps and sites.

Community education and training

Explore our free tailored presentations and workshops to help you build online safety knowledge and skills.

Webinars for parents and carers

Join one of our free webinars for parents and carers to learn the latest strategies for helping children stay safer online.

Tech trends and challenges

Keep up-to-date with these overviews of emerging online safety issues.

Quick

links

Sexting

Online dating

Child grooming

Sending nudes

Child sexual abuse online

Trolling

Deepfakes

Catfishing

Love bombing

Sextortion

Parental controls

Doxing

Coercive control

Consent

Workplace bullying

Being neurodivergent

Basic Online Safety Expectations

Teacher Professional Learning

Industry codes complaints

Trusted eSafety Providers

eSafety acknowledges all First Nations people for their continuing care of everything Country encompasses — land, waters and community. We pay our respects to First Nations people, and to Elders past and present.

First Nations people should be aware that this website may contain images and voices of people who have died.

Find information and resources for First Nations people.

Read our Reconciliation Action Plan.