Social Media Age Restrictions — Guidance for Pony Clubs
What’s Changing
From 10 December, new national laws under the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 will come into effect. These laws will require social-media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from holding or creating an account.[¹]
The laws aim to protect children and young people from online harm, reduce exposure to inappropriate content, and support age-appropriate engagement online.[²]
The eSafety Commissioner has published a list of platforms classed as age-restricted social media services, including:
- TikTok
- Snapchat
- X (formerly Twitter)
- YouTube
- Twitch
Other platforms, such as WhatsApp or Discord, are not currently classified as age-restricted but still pose privacy and safety risks if used for direct communication between adults and minors.[³]
The obligation to comply rests with the social-media platforms, not with individual users or organisations like Pony Clubs.[⁴]
Why This Matters for Pony Clubs
Many Pony Clubs use social media or group-messaging apps to communicate with riders, parents, coaches and volunteers. Once the new law takes effect, members under 16 may lose access to those platforms, meaning important updates could be missed.
As a child-safe organisation, Pony Club Australia has a duty of care to ensure that all communication with junior members and their families is transparent, accessible, and compliant with privacy and child-safety standards. [See Communicating online and electronically with children and young people guide]
Recommended Actions for Clubs
1. Review your current communication channels
Identify all the tools your club uses to communicate about rallies, training, events, and administration. Note which platforms are classed as age-restricted or allow unsupervised adult–child messaging.
2. Use email as your primary communication tool
Email remains the safest and most reliable option for Pony Clubs. It provides a clear record, supports parental inclusion, and ensures messages reach verified members.
Clubs can use the JustGo membership management platform to send official updates and rally notices by email, ensuring communications are delivered through a secure, compliant system.
3. Explore safe communication tools (if required)
If your club wishes to use a mobile or app-based communication tool, choose one that:
- Is not classified as an age-restricted social-media platform
- Allows for administrator approval and parent/guardian oversight
- Does not enable private messaging between adults and minors
- Meets child-safety and privacy standards
Some sports organisations use purpose-built club communication platforms such as Team App. However, clubs should carefully assess any platform before use to ensure it meets Pony Club’s requirements.
4. Communicate the change clearly to members and families
Provide clear and consistent information explaining:
- What’s changing under the law
- Why the club is updating communication practices
- How members can stay connected
Sample Message to Members & Families
Subject: Staying Connected Safely – Important Communication Update
Dear Members and Families,
From 10 December 2025, new Australian laws will restrict access to most social-media platforms for users under 16. This means we’ll be changing the way we communicate to ensure all members and families stay informed safely.
Our club will now send all official updates — including rally notices, event details and team messages — via email.
We are also considering additional safe communication tools that comply with national child-safety and privacy standards. Parents and guardians will continue to be included in all communications involving members under 16.
Thank you for helping us keep Pony Club safe, inclusive, and connected.
Kind regards,
[Club Name] Committee
FAQs
Can we still use our club’s Facebook or Instagram page?
Yes. Public pages used for sharing community news, photos and results can remain active. The law affects account holders under 16, not organisations posting general updates.[¹][³]
What happens to existing under-16 accounts?
Social-media platforms are responsible for enforcing the new age restrictions, including removing or blocking under-age accounts. Pony Clubs are not responsible for enforcement but must ensure communication does not rely on restricted platforms.[⁴]
Are messaging apps like WhatsApp or Messenger safe to use?
Even if not formally classified as “age-restricted,” these apps carry privacy and safety risks because private messaging between adults and minors can occur. They are not recommended for Pony Club communications.[³]
Will this make communication harder?
Once set up, communicating through JustGo or email lists usually makes club operations smoother, ensures transparency, and meets compliance obligations under national child-safe frameworks.
Stay safe. Stay connected. Make the switch before 10 December 2025.
Footnotes (Sources)
- Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). Social Media Minimum Age – Key Information. 2025. https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/your-privacy-rights/social-media-minimum-age
- ABC News. What social-media apps will be banned for under-16s in Australia? 5 Nov 2025. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-05/what-social-media-apps-are-getting-banned-in-australia
- eSafety Commissioner. Which Platforms Are Age-Restricted? 2025. https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions/which-platforms-are-age-restricted
- UNICEF Australia. Explainer: Australia’s Social Media Ban for Under-16s. 2025. https://www.unicef.org.au/unicef-youth/staying-safe-online/social-media-ban-explainer
