The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) is actively seeking the insights of children, young people, and parents regarding the protection of children’s privacy in the digital realm. This initiative aims to inform the forthcoming Children’s Online Privacy Code, a set of guidelines designed to govern how online services, including social media, messaging applications, and cloud storage platforms, must safeguard the privacy of younger users. The code is expected to be implemented by 10 December 2026.
Australian Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind emphasised the importance of privacy in the lives of children and young people, stating, “It is key to their autonomy, dignity and freedom. Privacy empowers children and young people to make decisions about how to live their life, what to believe, and what to think.” She pointed out the growing prevalence of detrimental online practices, such as profiling, direct marketing, and targeted advertising, which have become distressingly common.
“To help build a better online environment for children, the Children’s Online Privacy Code will focus on protecting young users within the digital landscape rather than restricting their access,” Kind noted. She expressed the ambition for Australia to lead globally in this area, inviting young people to contribute their perspectives to this critical endeavour.
In support of gathering feedback, the OAIC has unveiled various tools aimed at facilitating participation. These include worksheets tailored for children in years 3 to 6 (aged 8–12) and those in years 7 to 12 (aged 12–18), a discussion paper for parents and carers, and educational resources for teachers, including lesson plans and presentations.
“The OAIC is consulting widely on the code to make sure it delivers on its promise to make the online environment better for children and young people,” Commissioner Kind reiterated, stressing the importance of direct input from those most affected by the code.
The information gathered during this consultation phase will inform the draft version of the Children’s Online Privacy Code, which will be made available for public consultation in early 2026, allowing for further feedback from children, parents, and various stakeholders. Once children’s insights have been integrated, the OAIC intends to collaborate with industry and other entities to refine the code further.
For those interested in participating, consultation materials are accessible via the OAIC’s website, and submissions will be accepted until Monday 30 June 2025. The initiative is part of a broader commitment outlined in the Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024, which mandates the OAIC to develop the Children’s Online Privacy Code, ensuring compliance with the Australian Privacy Principles while potentially introducing additional requirements that align with these existing principles.
The consultation process is structured in phases: the first phase, set to take place between January and August 2025, will focus on insights from children, parents, and related organisations. The second phase, running from April to August 2025, will engage industry stakeholders, civil society, and academia, while public consultation on the draft code will occur in 2026.
