As we move closer to the realization of the decision of the Australian Government to ban social media for adolescents and children under the age of 16, I am keen that all families engage in the discussions on this issue and take steps to support the ban. I am proud of the Government’s stand. The Sydney Morning Herald’s recent opinion piece, “As the world watches, Australia stands up for childhood”, captured the spirit of this moment beautifully. It reminded us that childhood is not a battleground for tech giants or algorithm- it is a sacred space for learning, growing, and being. And now, Australia has taken a bold step to protect it.
This decision is not just about policy. It is about values. It is about recognising the mounting evidence that social media—while powerful in many ways—can also be deeply harmful to young people’s mental health, self-esteem, and development. It is about acknowledging that the digital world, with all its noise and pressure, is not designed with children in mind.
I think many of us would agree the line between childhood and adult hood has been blurred, but we also need to recognise that, as educators and parents, we are the stewards of childhood. We are the ones who must draw the line when the world becomes too loud, too fast, too intrusive. This ban is a collective stand for the wellbeing of our children.
As a Sacred Heart School we often speak about the importance of nurturing the hearts and minds of our students. We have long championed digital literacy, respectful relationships, and mental health education and we will continue to do this. In 2025 when we asked parents to supply only a ‘dumb phone’ to children in Year 7 and younger, we wanted to take a stand and many parents supported us in this initiative.
Childhood is a gift to be preserved. When we stand together – as a school, as a community, and as a nation – we send a powerful message to our young people: you matter!
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