Being a responsible online creator
Many children and young people are interested in making their own gaming content. This includes sharing their gameplay, creating games, making step-by-step guides, or reviewing games or gaming products.
Creating content can be fun and can help build digital skills, but it should be supported by an adult, and in some cases, it may not be appropriate.
On this page:
Social media changes are coming
From 10 December, certain social media platforms won’t be allowed to let Australian children under 16 create or keep an account. This may include platforms that allow for live streaming of gaming content.
What you need to know:
- The age restrictions are likely to apply to Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X and YouTube, as well as other platforms. See the latest list.
- Under-16s will still be able to see publicly available social media content that doesn’t require logging into an account.
- Most standalone gaming and messaging apps, as well as many services that support health and education, will not be affected by the new law.
- There are no penalties for under-16s who access an account on an age-restricted social media platform, or for their parents or carers. This is about making the platforms take greater responsibility for the safety of children – they face fines of up to $49.5 million dollars if they don’t take reasonable steps to implement the changes.
Find out more at Social media age restrictions and your family.
Before creating and sharing content online
It’s important to think about your child’s privacy, safety and wellbeing, especially if the content is shared publicly or involves money or sponsorship. Children have the right to be protected from commercial exploitation, and parents should be aware of relevant laws and guidelines around child influencers and online content.
Before getting started, parents should consider:
- whether the child wants to go live or stream content
- the pressures and risks of managing live interactions
- whether the child understands how to share safely and respectfully
- what moderation tools are available and who will support them
- how to recognise and respond to harmful behaviour.
Live streaming
‘Going live’ or live streaming puts pressure on creators to do and say the right things in real time. This can be difficult even for adults. The streamer is also responsible for managing any harmful or negative content that might be shared in the chat. This harmful communication might be directed at them or others. Being the host of a live stream is not recommended for children or young people.
If you choose to let your child stream, the safest approach is to get involved, help them plan it out ahead of time and be present during the stream, ideally moderating the chat. Consider whether your child has:
- the skills to share information respectfully and safely
- an understanding of the community guidelines, and knows how to set expectations for others joining the stream
- an understanding of the moderation tools available, and has a trusted adult to support them with moderation
- an understanding of what is reportable behaviour, how to take action in the moment, and when to get help from an adult.
Read more about the risks and benefits of live streaming.
Commercial content creation and the law
If your child’s content creation becomes regular or commercial, it’s important to be aware of additional responsibilities. In Australia, child labour laws and advertising codes may apply, especially if your child is earning money or promoting products.
Parents should ensure their child’s involvement is safe, age-appropriate and in their best interests. You may wish to seek advice from a legal or media professional, or consult with your child’s support team if they have one.
Making decisions together: Being a safe online creator
If you allow your child to share pre-recorded videos or create gaming content, it is important to discuss your expectations ahead of time:
- Set expectations for reviewing the content before it is posted, or before games are shared with others.
- Review the content to ensure no private information is included and that it is otherwise appropriate.
- Make sure you are informed of and able to access all the platforms where content will be shared.
- Agree on situations when your child should come to you for support. This might include receiving abusive comments, or if there are signs that someone is unsafe.
Help your child understand their responsibilities
Being a content creator can be fun, but it also comes with responsibilities. Help your child understand how to:
Understand the impact they can have
Encourage your child to think about how the content they create and share online can impact them, their viewers and the broader gaming community.
- Personally – how might their content affect how others view them now and in the future?
- Their viewers – how might their content be inclusive or affect those watching?
- The gaming community – aim to create content that is respectful and inclusive.
Use their platform in positive ways
Promoting respectful behaviour and not tolerating harmful behaviours is important. They can go one step further by using their platform to support others and make a positive difference.
For example, they could:
- share tips or tutorials to help others learn and enjoy the game
- say something kind to someone who’s having a tough time or being left out
- remind others to be respectful in comments or chats.
Encourage help-seeking and support
Remind them that even creators need support. They should feel confident to ask for help, talk to trusted adults, and guide their viewers to do the same. This helps create a safe and positive environment for everyone involved.
Reflect and perfect
Encourage them to work with you or other trusted adults to review the content and explore ways to improve its safety, respectfulness or positive impact.
You can also read the American Psychological Association’s recommendations for healthy video content viewing for more information.
How to get help if something goes wrong
Gaming platforms have a responsibility to ensure every player’s safety. If your child is experiencing online harm while they play, there are steps you can take to deal with the situation.
Find out how you can help your child if something goes wrong online, including how to make a report to the platform or to eSafety.
Last updated: 08/12/2025
