Helping parents set the ‘new normal’ for social media

eSafety’s Parent Advisory Group held its first meeting today, bringing together a diverse range of parenting communities to help inform families and support digital literacy as Australia implements its world-leading Social Media Minimum age (SMMA).

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant delivered an opening address, marking the start of the group’s work and highlighting its critical role in the post-implementation phase of SMMA.

The Parent Advisory Group is designed to provide expert feedback and advice to help inform eSafety’s approach in supporting families through this important change. It brings together 12 organisations reflecting a diverse cross-section of Australian communities, including Culturally and Linguistically Diverse families, First Nations peoples, regional and remote communities, people with disability, LGBTIQ+ communities and families from low socio-economic backgrounds.

The Parent Advisory Group members are (in alphabetical order):

1. Australian Childhood Foundation
2. Beyond Blue
3. Body Safety Australia
4. Bravehearts
5. Ctrl+Shft
6. Deakin University
7. Next Level Collaboration
8. ReachOut
9. Triple P International
10. The University of Sydney
11. UQ Parenting & Family Support Centre
12. Yourtown

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the Parent Advisory Group will play an essential role in helping strengthen support for parents and carers during a period of significant regulatory change.

“Parents and carers play a critical frontline role in keeping young people safer online. To do that well, they need support that is practical, accessible and grounded in real family experience.

“I warmly welcome each of the organisations selected for our Parent Advisory Group. Their diverse insights will help us strengthen parent messaging as we transition into the post-implementation phase of the Social Media Minimum Age obligations, and expand our broader suite of supports for families.

“By working directly with organisations who engage parents and carers every day, we can ensure our resources are relevant, inclusive and responsive to the varied needs of families across Australia,” Inman Grant said.

The Parent Advisory Group will provide eSafety with evidence-informed insights to help strengthen engagement with parents and carers, and shape online safety resources that reflect the experiences, challenges and priorities of Australian families. Members were selected through a competitive and comprehensive national EOI process.

The Parent Advisory Group will work with eSafety to:      

• Shape eSafety’s parent messaging and providing evidence-informed insights, including information related to the Social Media Minimum Age legislation and other eSafety strategic priorities.
• Review and test resources, including the redevelopment of eSafety’s Online Safety Parent Guide, to ensure they are accessible and relevant for diverse parent and carer communities.
• Support network-building and resource distribution to reach hard-to-engage and priority parent and carer communities.

The group will serve in a voluntary capacity from November 2025 to 30 June 2026. The group’s next meeting will be held early next year.

For more information, please contact:

Phone: 0439 519 684 (virtual line – please do not send texts)
or [email protected]