A Welcome Move Toward a Safer Internet
Every click can become a doorway to danger. That’s why Destiny Rescue applauds the Australian Government’s bold proposal to restrict under-16s from accessing certain social media platforms without verified parental consent.

Holding Tech Companies Accountable
This landmark shift rightly places responsibility on tech giants—not just families—to implement secure, verified age restrictions.

The new laws, expected to take effect in 12 months, would apply to “age-restricted social media platforms” such as Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and others.

This proposal represents a significant step forward in child online safety laws and marks a shift in Australia’s approach to online child safety. While the primary aim is to protect children, the Government will need to carefully navigate the complex balance between safety, privacy, and accessibility in the digital space.

The Role of Social Media in Child Exploitation
The recent Final Report of the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society echoes these concerns. In our submission, Destiny Rescue highlighted the significant role social media platforms play in facilitating child sexual abuse and exploitation. These platforms often provide predators with anonymity, unrestricted access to children, and a space for disseminating child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Tragically, the rise in live-streamed child abuse underscores the urgent need for stronger protective measures. Law enforcement agencies face substantial challenges in detecting and investigating these crimes.

Urgent Need for Collective Action
With online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) now a global crisis, an estimated 300 million children were affected in the last 12 months alone. Our 2025-26 Pre-Budget Submission highlighted the need for urgent collective action, including addressing the structural gaps to combat online exploitation.

Our work rescuing children from online abuse has shown how predators increasingly weaponise digital platforms. It’s no longer enough to ask families to monitor — we must hold tech companies accountable at scale.

A Call to Australians: Help Shape a Safer Future
● You can read more about our OSEC work here.
● You can read our latest rescues here.

Children deserve a digital world built for their safety—not predators’ access. Let’s ensure this legislation becomes a turning point, not just a talking point.