21 AUG 2025 Deputy Principal: Students

Over the remainder of the school year through the College Newsletter, myself and the Directors of Students, will shine a light on a series of issues that we as a college are facing. The biggest issue currently is the use of technology and in particular mobiles phones. Remembering the Australian Government are still working towards a ban on social media for anyone under the age of 16, with trials completed and further details to about to be released. If successful this will have a significant impact, both positively and initially negatively on our students, your sons and daughter.

Erin Lane, the Years 7 and 8 Director of Students, highlights further these proposed changes.

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that in today's world, every child is inevitably captivated by the allure of technology.

This month, while reading work from our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Program, from the Year 8 student responses on their Digital Footprint there were some rather alarming statistics about the way our young people are navigating social media platforms. 9% of students admitted to often adding people that they have not meet and 42% admitted that this is sometimes something that they do. While Kolbe students were keenly aware of the dangers that this could present, it seems that this behaviour has been normalised by their peers and therefore the act of being in a Group Chat with unknown identities was not uncommon; in fact, it is more than the majority.

Other data depicted that while many students were familiar with mechanisms to keep them safe on online platforms such as blocking others, they were not confident in knowing how to ‘beat the algorithm’ in a way that meant they could control the kind of content that they have access to. It remains clear that there is a lot more work to do with our young people to ensure that they are safe online.

Many of you will have been reading about the Online Safety Amendment. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 sets a legal minimum age of 16 for creating accounts on specific social media platforms. The amendment is designed to enhance protections for young users, especially given the risks posed by exposure to harmful content and features like constant notifications, which have been linked to poor sleep, increased stress, and reduced attention. The responsibility for enforcing this age limit lies with the social media companies themselves. They are required to implement systems that prevent underage users from creating or maintaining accounts however, individuals under the age limit, or their parents and carers, will not be penalised for breaches.

When Year 8 students learn about how laws are made in their Humanities curriculum, they explore the process of turning ideas into legislation, from identifying a social issue to drafting a bill, debating it in parliament, and ultimately passing it into law. This learning becomes especially meaningful when students can see real-world examples of laws being introduced to address current issues that affect their everyday lives.

The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 provides a timely and relevant connection. Students can see how a real law has been created to protect young people, like themselves, from the negative impacts of social media. It shows how lawmakers can respond to community concerns about online safety, mental health, and the wellbeing of young people.

This connection between classroom learning and real legislation helps students understand that the lawmaking process is not just theoretical. It reinforces the idea that lawmakers play a crucial role in shaping a safer, fairer society, and that well-designed laws can lead to positive outcomes for citizens. When students see their own experiences reflected in government action, it helps build civic awareness and engagement and a stronger appreciation for democracy in action.

Source: eSafety Commissioner. (2024). Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024. Retrieved from https://www.esafety.gov.au/legal/social-media-minimum-age

Proposed Changes: https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions

Cameron Whitford
Deputy Principal: Students