Children today are growing up online – learning, playing and connecting every day. This report offers a snapshot of how children aged 10 to 17 in Australia are navigating it.

Drawing on insights from the ‘Keeping Kids Safe Online’ survey, the report explores:  

• children’s online participation
• the impact of online participation on children
• behaviours that may increase exposure to online harm
• strategies and sources of knowledge for keeping safe online.

Key findings

• Nearly all children aged 10 to 17 use social media or communication platforms, and many do so frequently.
• The online world provides benefits for almost all children. 
• The internet is an important source of information for most children, including on personal or sensitive topics. 
• Most children reject the idea that being online negatively impacts their wellbeing. 
• Children are mostly positive about social media and its impact on them, but many find it hard to resist. 
• More than half of children engage in behaviours online that may increase their risk of exposure to online harm.