One Month Until The Australian Age Delay and Here is What We Still Get to Keep

In a month, the age delay kicks in. For many families, that means TikTok and others go dark. For a generation of kids who’ve grown up dancing, lip-syncing, creating and sharing online, it might feel like something’s being taken away.

But here’s what’s not being banned: The music. The movement. The joy of being silly, being seen, being together.

Music and movement are how kids (and adults) let things out without having to explain. They help regulate emotion, build trust, and give kids a way to feel like themselves again. Especially when everything else feels a bit shaky. None of that disappears with the social media age delay. If anything, this is a chance to bring it closer to home.

The app access will shift. That’s the nature of it. But kids still need rhythm. Still need to move their bodies, blow off steam, laugh with their friends, and feel connected. That doesn’t need a screen it needs space and a bit of imagination. So here’s what we can do.

Let music become part of the everyday again. A song in the morning to set the tone. A family dance off while dinner’s on. Let kids DJ their moods. Let them teach you their latest routine no cameras, just company.

Give the little ones chalk to draw a hopscotch in the driveway. Let them drag the speaker outside. Let your teens claim the garage as a dance floor or a jam session room.

If they used to film videos with friends, help them find ways to keep the creativity going an old film camera from a market for example. Offline doesn’t mean alone.

Teachers and youth workers: build music and movement into the day. Not as a reward. As a right. Kids need ways to move stress through their bodies. They need spaces where they can be expressive without performing.

Parents/carers/grandparents: get in there too. Dance badly. Sing out of tune. Make it fun. Make it real.

The ban might close one door, but it’s also a good chance to open others. Less about rules, more about rhythm. Less about control, more about connection because even without the apps, kids still know how to move. Still know how to feel. Still want to be part of something bigger than themselves so let’s make sure they can. You can still film and you can still create. You can still laugh till your ribs hurt or you cry. You just don’t need to post it to prove it.

Here are some ways families can keep the energy going without needing the algorithm to clap back:

1. Family Dance-Offs (Private Edition)

Pick a song. One that gets everyone moving, even the reluctant ones. Split into teams (parents vs kids is always a good one), learn your own routine, and perform it in the lounge. Film it if you want but keep it on your phone. Turn it into a family tradition. Watch the old ones back in a year and see how far you've come (or how ridiculous you looked).

2. Challenge Vault

Get the kids to create a jar of challenges. Silly dance moves, weird remixes, or new steps they invent. They can film these, keep them on their device, and share them in person with cousins, grandparents, select friends privately.

3. ‘Pass the Move’ Videos

Each person records a move, passes the phone, and the next person adds theirs. Keep passing till you’ve built a full routine. Edit it if they want to practise those skills. No one needs to see it online. It’s yours.

4. Soundtrack Saturdays

This is straight from my childhood. I know every word to Earth Wind And Fire and Fleetwood Mac, Bryan Ferry and Grace Jones thanks to my beautiful Mum breaking out the Vinyl every saturday! In fact if I want to learn something I sing it as I have a superpower for remember lyrics! There the secret is out!. Each week, pick a theme 80s throwbacks, movie musicals, songs from your childhood. Everyone dresses up, picks a song, and dances. Think kitchen disco meets karaoke with fewer rules. Film it or don’t. Just keep the music up loud.

5. Friends-Only Collabs

If your kids used to do collab videos, encourage them to keep doing it just differently. Invite their mates over for a “dance and record” day. They can share clips through AirDrop or messages instead of posting them. Still creative, still connected.

6. Year in Dance

Set up a private folder on your phone: “2025 Dance Year.” Add clips from each week or month. At the end of the year, you’ve got your own personal highlight reel. No likes needed. Just memories that hit play when you need them.

7. School or Community Showcases

Work with teachers or youth centres to run in-person dance or music nights. The kind where no one cares if you’re good just that you showed up. Let kids plan, choreograph, and perform for real people in real time. No comments section required.

8.Car Karaoke My personal favourite.....Car karaoke is one of the easiest ways to keep connection alive without needing a screen just load up a shared playlist, let everyone pick their favourite songs (no judgement) add in Opera, Heavy Metal the whole lot!! and turn even the school run into a full-blown concert. Film it if you want, but keep it for yourselves. It’s messy, loud, off-key fun that doesn’t need to be posted to matter and those are often the moments that stick.

The point is kids don’t stop being creative just because the platform goes and connection doesn’t disappear just because it’s not being broadcast. If anything, this is a chance to remind them that they’re allowed to create just for fun. Not for likes. Not for views. Just because it feels good.