Yesterday the Australian Government announced how it intends to monitor the new social media laws requiring social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and You Tube to stop children under 16 from having accounts and being able to upload material. Local Tips: What Hawkesbury Parents Should Do NowStart talking with your children about the upcoming changes; help them understand why they’re being introduced. Keep backups of their photos, posts, stories—especially if they are posted via social media accounts—they may want to preserve memories under different arrangements. Encourage use of digital platforms that are safer and more age-appropriate until restrictions kick in such as You Tube Kids. As always, the Hawkesbury Gazette will keep you informed with updates as the rules are implemented.