Snapchat launches new teen ‘Council for Digital Wellbeing’ in Australia
The Genesis of the Council
Snapchat has unveiled its groundbreaking Australian Council for Digital Wellbeing, a program designed to put teens at the forefront of conversations about online safety and positive digital experiences. This initiative, announced in early 2025, actively seeks applications from young Australians aged 14 to 16, aiming to select a diverse group to contribute their unique insights.
The council emerges from a clear recognition that teenagers are not just users but experts in the digital realm. With over 8 million monthly users in Australia primarily connecting with friends, Snapchat is leveraging this program to ensure its platform evolves in ways that genuinely support teen wellbeing. The launch follows research indicating strong public support for involving youth in online safety dialogues, making this a timely and community-backed move.
How the Council Operates
Structured as an 18-month commitment, the Australian Council for Digital Wellbeing is far from a symbolic gesture. Selected members will engage in monthly virtual calls, collaborative project work, and direct discussions with Snapchat’s global Safety Advisory Board. The pinnacle of the program is a two-day, in-person summit held at Snapchat’s Sydney office, with all travel and accommodation covered for participants and a guardian.
As Ben Au, Policy Lead for Snap Inc. in Australia and New Zealand, stated, the company is "passionate about making Snapchat a fun and safe place," and this council is a key part of that effort. The operational model ensures that teen feedback isn’t just heard but integrated into the company’s ongoing safety strategies and tool development, such as the Family Centre feature for parental oversight.
The Voices of Change: Meet the Teens
The inaugural Australian cohort consists of eight civically-minded teens from across the country, chosen for their engagement and desire to make a difference. These young leaders, like Charlotte C from regional Victoria, applied because they believe teens must have a say in the digital spaces that form their daily support systems and social lives.
A Personal Stake in Digital Safety
Charlotte’s perspective encapsulates the council’s spirit: "Teens should have an input into what is happening online as these spaces are our support system... I’m looking forward to being part of this Council so I can support safety and wellbeing initiatives for my Australian peers." This personal investment is what Snapchat aims to harness, ensuring that solutions are grounded in real, lived experiences rather than top-down assumptions.
Global Context: From U.S. to Australia
Snapchat’s Australian council is not an isolated experiment but part of a deliberate global expansion. It serves as a sister council to the inaugural U.S. Council for Digital Well-Being, launched in 2024, and a European council established in 2025. This global network amplifies youth voices across different cultures and regulatory environments.
The U.S. pilot, involving 18 teens, has already yielded valuable insights, from discussions on sextortion and reporting stigma to the importance of peer advice. The Australian council builds on this foundation, adopting a similar framework of in-person summits and ongoing dialogue to foster a cross-continental exchange of ideas on digital wellbeing.
Navigating Digital Wellbeing in the Australian Landscape
This initiative unfolds against the complex backdrop of Australia’s proposed legislative ban on social media for users under 16, set to take effect in late 2025. While Snapchat’s announcement doesn’t explicitly address this ban, the council can be seen as part of a broader effort to demonstrate the platform’s commitment to proactive safety measures and constructive teen engagement.
Lucy Thomas OAM, CEO of Project Rockit, highlights the necessity: "If we want online social experiences to be safe and empowering, platforms must actively listen to teen experiences and respond by design." The council represents a strategic move to align with this ethos, potentially influencing both corporate policy and public perception in a charged regulatory climate.
The Impact and Future Vision
The true measure of the council’s success will be its tangible impact on Snapchat’s safety features and the broader digital ecosystem. Insights from the U.S. cohort have already emphasized the value of open dialogue between teens and parents, as well as the need for tools that empower young users to manage their digital footprints responsibly.
Looking ahead, this Australian initiative sets a precedent for how tech companies can co-design safety solutions with their youngest users. By embedding teen perspectives into the innovation process, Snapchat is not just addressing wellbeing reactively but helping shape a more positive and intentional digital future—one where platforms are built with empathy, and teens are recognized as essential partners in creating online spaces that uplift rather than undermine.