How to Download Your Child's Social Media Data

Why Download Your Data?

Once accounts are blocked or deleted, your child may permanently lose:

• Photos and videos — Years of memories and important moments
• Messages and conversations — Chats with friends and family
• Friend contacts — Ways to stay in touch outside the platform
• Created content — Posts, stories, artwork, videos
• Saved content — Bookmarks, favorites, playlists

You have until December 10 to download this data. After that, access may be blocked, and while platforms are required to retain data for 3 years, retrieval becomes much more complicated.

Platform-Specific Download Instructions

1. Instagram & Facebook (Meta Platforms)

Time required: 5-10 minutes to request; 24-48 hours to receive

What you'll get:

• All photos and videos
• Messages and comments
• Friend lists and contacts
• Account information
• Stories archive

Step-by-Step Instructions:

For Instagram:

1. Open the Instagram app or go to instagram.com
2. Go to Settings (gear icon or three lines menu)
3. Select Your activity → Download your information
4. Choose Request a download
5. Select All available information (or choose specific categories)
6. Choose date range: All time
7. Format: JSON (includes metadata) or HTML (more readable)
8. Media quality: High (recommended)
9. Click Next → Create files
10. You'll receive an email when your download is ready (usually 24-48 hours)
11. Download the ZIP file(s) and save securely

For Facebook:

1. Go to facebook.com and log in
2. Click the down arrow (top right) → Settings & Privacy → Settings
3. Click Your Facebook Information (left sidebar)
4. Click Download Your Information
5. Select date range: All of my data
6. Choose Media Quality: High
7. Choose format: JSON or HTML
8. Click Request a Download
9. Facebook will email you when ready (24-48 hours)
10. Download the file(s) and save securely

Parent Access Required: If you don't have your child's login credentials, you'll need them to complete this process. Do this together with your child.

2. TikTok

Time required: 5 minutes to request; 2-4 days to receive

What you'll get:

• All videos you've posted
• Comments and interactions
• Favorites and liked videos
• Profile information
• Activity history

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open the TikTok app
2. Tap Profile (bottom right)
3. Tap the three lines (top right) → Settings and privacy
4. Scroll down to Account → Download your data
5. Choose what to download:
   • Download TikTok data (includes activity, comments, profile)
   • Download your videos (all posted videos)
6. Select File format: TXT or JSON
7. Tap Request data
8. TikTok will email you when ready (2-4 days)
9. Download the files and save securely

Note: TikTok downloads can take longer than other platforms. Start early!

3. Snapchat

Time required: 10 minutes to request; 24 hours to receive

What you'll get:

• Snapchat Memories (saved photos/videos)
• Friends list
• Snap history
• Chat history (if saved)
• Account information

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Go to accounts.snapchat.com on a web browser (not in the app)
2. Log in with your child's credentials
3. Click My Data
4. Scroll down and click Submit Request
5. Snapchat will email you when ready (usually within 24 hours)
6. Click the link in the email to download
7. Download the ZIP file and save securely

Important: Only Memories (saved Snaps) are downloadable. Regular Snaps disappear and cannot be recovered.

4. YouTube

Time required: 5 minutes to request; 24-48 hours to receive

What you'll get:

• Watch history
• Search history
• Liked videos
• Playlists
• Subscriptions
• Uploaded videos (if any)
• Comments

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Go to takeout.google.com (Google's data export tool)
2. Log in with your child's Google account
3. Click Deselect all (at the top)
4. Scroll down and check YouTube and YouTube Music
5. Click All YouTube data included to customize:
   • Select videos, playlists, subscriptions, history
6. Scroll to bottom → Click Next step
7. Choose delivery method: Email download link (recommended)
8. Choose frequency: Export once
9. File type: .zip
10. File size: 2 GB (or larger if needed)
11. Click Create export
12. Google will email you when ready (24-48 hours)
13. Download the file(s) and save securely

Note: YouTube download includes all Google services data. You can deselect other services if you only want YouTube.

5. Other Platforms (X/Twitter, Reddit, etc.)

X (Twitter):

• Go to Settings → Your account → Download an archive of your data
• Allow 24 hours for processing

Reddit:

• Go to User Settings → Privacy & Security → Request your data
• Allow 30 days for processing (start early!)

What Format Will Your Data Be In?

Most platforms provide data in one or more of these formats:

• JSON — Machine-readable format with complete metadata (dates, locations, etc.)
• HTML — Human-readable web pages you can open in a browser
• ZIP archive — Compressed folder containing photos, videos, and data files

How to access:

1. Download the ZIP file
2. Extract/unzip it on your computer
3. Open the index.html file (if included) to browse your data
4. Photos and videos will be in organized folders

Where to Store Downloaded Data Securely

Downloaded data contains sensitive information. Store it safely:

Option 1: Password Manager (Recommended)

Use a password manager with secure document storage:

Option 2: External Hard Drive

• Store data on an encrypted external drive
• Keep it disconnected from the internet
• Store in a safe place (fireproof safe, safe deposit box)

Option 3: Encrypted Cloud Storage

• Use end-to-end encrypted services (not Google Drive or Dropbox plain storage)
• Options: Tresorit, Sync.com, MEGA (with encryption)
• Avoid storing unencrypted social media data in regular cloud services

What NOT to do:

• ❌ Leave files on your desktop unencrypted
• ❌ Upload to unencrypted cloud storage
• ❌ Email data archives (too large and insecure)

Timeline: When to Download

Recommended timeline:

• By November 30: Start download requests for all platforms
• By December 5: All downloads should be received and saved securely
• By December 8: Verify all files are complete and accessible
• December 10: Social media accounts may be blocked

Why start early:

• Platforms can take 24-72 hours (or longer)
• You may need to troubleshoot issues
• Some platforms (Reddit) take up to 30 days
• Avoid last-minute stress

The 3-Year Retention Window

Under Australian law, social media platforms must retain account data for 3 years after an account is closed or restricted.

What this means:

• Your child's data isn't immediately deleted on December 10
• You can request data from platforms later if needed
• However, the retrieval process is more complicated and time-consuming

Why download now anyway:

• Direct account access is easier than formal data requests
• Platforms may take weeks to respond to data requests later
• Peace of mind knowing you have copies
• Immediate access to photos and memories

What to Do With Downloaded Data

Once you have the data:

1. Review it together with your child

   • Look through photos and videos
   • Identify important friend contacts
   • Save meaningful conversations (if appropriate)

2. Extract contact information

   • Friend lists from each platform
   • Help your teen connect with friends on safe messaging apps

3. Store securely

   • Use a password manager or encrypted storage
   • Create backup copies (multiple locations)

4. Respect privacy

   • This is your child's personal data
   • Don't share publicly without their consent
   • Consider deleting after a reasonable time if they request

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"My download link expired"

• Request the download again; links typically expire after 7-14 days

"The file is too large to download"

• Platforms may split large archives into multiple files
• Download all parts and extract together
• Ensure you have enough storage space

"I don't have my child's password"

• You'll need to ask them or reset the password (requires email access)
• Do this together to respect their privacy

"The download failed"

• Try a different browser
• Disable browser extensions
• Use a stable internet connection
• Contact platform support if issues persist

After You Download

Once data is saved:

1. ✅ Store securely (password manager or encrypted drive)
2. ✅ Create at least one backup copy
3. ✅ Make note of what platforms you've downloaded from
4. ✅ Continue with other preparation steps on our December 10 Checklist