Are they old enough?

It’s important to protect children from online risks such as encountering harmful content, unsupervised contact with adults or missing out on physical activity. But it is up to you to decide when and how they take these first steps, and how best to support them as they begin their online journey. 

Children often have access to connected devices like tablets and smartphones from a very young age. They might be watching a favourite program through streaming services, using educational apps or simply viewing photos with your family and friends. Research from 2020 by Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) found 4 out of 5 children aged 4 are using the internet, and 30 percent of these children have access to their own device.

eSafety research in 2024 found 84% of children aged 8 to12 had used at least one social media or messaging service during the year, despite most platforms having a 13+ age limit.

Of these children, 40 percent had their own account on at least one service.

Most children (8 to 12) owned or had access to an internet-enabled device (smartphone, tablet, computer)¹.

^{1 Children and social media - eSafety Commissioner (2024)} 

If you set some rules together, manage access and stay involved, children of all ages can enjoy the benefits of being online. 

It’s a good idea to supervise their online activity, at least initially and certainly with younger children. Be clear on things like when and where online devices can be used and when they need to be switched off. The way a preschooler or younger child begins to use connected devices will instil good online habits from the start and help them transition to using messaging and gaming apps and social media later. 

You can read our tips on online safety basics as well as more research about digital use among children aged 10 to 15. See also supervising preschoolers online and digital families.

How much time should my child spend online? 

There is no magic figure. The right amount of time that children should spend online is debated. Choosing the right amount of screen time will depend on the individual needs of your child and your family.

When deciding how much time your child should spend online, consider the following factors:

• your child’s age and their maturity level
• their individual learning needs
• your family’s routine
• your level of involvement and interaction with them while they are online
• the quality and nature of what they are doing online.

It can be easy to focus only on the amount of time spent online, but the quality of the online content they are engaging with, and your involvement and interaction with them while they are online, is just as important.  

For example, a 5-year-old can get a lot out of spending 30 minutes creating an artwork on a screen together with you. An activity like this, involving the imaginative use of shape and colour, can help them to develop their fine motor and conversational skills.  

Our guide to screen time for parents and carers can help you work out a healthy balance across your child’s online and offline activities. It also includes the signs to watch out for if your child’s online activities may be having a negative impact on them. 

How do I choose age-appropriate content? 

Good-quality content can support your child’s learning, especially if it ties in with their interests or sparks their imagination. 

The following sites can help you make informed decisions about your family’s entertainment choices. 

• Check age ratings and consumer advice for apps and games on devices your children use via the App Store or Google Play. Visit the Australian Classification Board’s online database when reviewing movies and games.
• Explore eSafety's How to safely set up and choose games.
• Raising Children Network has advice about choosing video games, online games and apps.
• Children and Media Australia provides reviews of movies, apps and games, including gambling content advice, searchable by age and platform.
• Commonsense Media (US) offers a database of apps, games and websites searchable by age. 

A smartphone is about much more than making phone calls. It allows your child to spend time online using their own device, rather than a shared family tablet or computer. It literally puts the online world in their hands. 

For many parents and carers, giving a 5-year-old their own smartphone may seem like it is a step too far. For others, it might offer them peace of mind and security to know they can keep in touch with their child – especially in an emergency. 

The right age for your child will depend on their level of maturity and your family routine. It is worth asking yourself the following questions before handing over a digital device. 

• Does my child have a good sense of responsibility?
• Are they able to stick to the rules?
• Do they show a good understanding of actions and consequences?
• Do they come to me or another trusted adult when they are distressed or if they encounter problems?
• What are the rules about when and where my child can use their smartphone? For example, should it be limited to while they are away from the house or restricted from their bedroom at night?

For younger children it may be best to start with a mobile phone without internet access and only introduce a smartphone when they demonstrate an appropriate level of maturity. There's a range of mobile devices and settings that allow you to control which tools or services your child can access. For example, Apple has features to help manage screen time, restrict sensitive content and monitor app permissions. These features can support conversations with your child about what information they see and share and who can see it.

Some younger children might argue that they are ready for a smartphone, especially if their friends already have one. But it is worth holding out until you feel confident that your child is mature enough. 

If you have a family tech agreement, it would be a good idea to go through it carefully with your child and look at the new responsibilities they are taking on with their own phone.

Certain social media platforms aren’t allowed to let Australians under 16 create or keep an account. For more information, see the latest list. The delay gives you extra time to talk about online safety and wellbeing with your child, to help them prepare for the risks and pressures of social media when they turn 16. It’s breathing space for them to build digital, social and emotional skills, and to understand the importance of reaching out for help if things go wrong.

That said, children and young people can see publicly available social media content that doesn’t require logging into an account. It’s important to talk early about what they might see, and adjust the conversation as children grow and develop. Keep in mind that a young person’s maturity and resilience can affect their ability to have positive experiences online.