Why Australian kids are seeing sexual content younger than ever – and what families and schools can do about it.
In this online safety advisory:
- A growing risk that’s hard to ignore
- What the research tells us
- Why it matters
- How children access pornography
- What eSafety is doing
- What parents can do now
- How schools can help
- Supporting confident choices
- Helpful resources
A growing risk that’s hard to ignore
New eSafety research shows 1 in 3 Australian children aged 10 to 17 have seen sexual images or videos online.
Beyond our research, we know some of the material children are seeing is violent, degrading or misogynistic. And it often surfaces on the same apps and platforms they use every day.
This is not just about harmful content. It’s how pornography may be shaping some young people’s ideas about sex, consent, and relationships before they are ready to deal with such adult concepts. And it’s happening at scale.
That’s why eSafety is shining a spotlight on how easy it is for children to access porn online.
As we work with government and industry to improve protections, we’re also arming parents, schools, and carers with the guidance they need to support young people now.
What the research tells us
The numbers are confronting:
- 32% of Australian children aged 10 to 17 say they’ve seen sexual images or videos online.
- 12% have seen violent sexual content, including 8% in the past year.
Previous research by eSafety found that exposure to online pornography was common among Australian children aged 16 to 18 – with 13 being the average age they first saw porn.
Many also said they came across pornography by accident – while using social media, searching for something else, or via messages from peers.
Why it matters
More and more evidence shows that children are seeing content that does not reflect healthy, respectful or real-life sexual relationships.
Some of the pornography they find online can:
- promote unrealistic expectations about bodies, sex and consent
- normalise misogyny and violence towards women and girls
- lead to confusion, anxiety or shame, particularly when viewed at a young age
- fuel peer pressure, especially when explicit content is shared in social groups.
This kind of exposure can influence how young people behave – both online and offline. It can also affect their understanding of intimacy, boundaries and respect.
How children access pornography
Many children come across pornography either by accident or on purpose – and often, it’s surprisingly simple for them to access.
Some of the common ways kids encounter this material include:
- porn sites
- social media platforms
- messaging apps or group chats, where peers share content
- search engines
- clickbait links or pop-ups.
Research released by eSafety in 2023 found that young peoples’ first exposure to porn often happens through a basic search online, or by stumbling across content without trying.
Tech-savvy children can also find ways around safety settings to access online pornography.
What eSafety is doing
eSafety is tackling this issue in several ways. This includes registering new codes drafted by industry under the Online Safety Act.
These codes require a wide range of tech services to do more to:
- restrict children’s access to porn, high-impact violent material, and material that encourages self-harm, suicide or disordered eating
- empower users of all ages to control the content they do not want to see.
Three of the new codes were registered in June.
These codes cover search engines, internet service providers, and hosting services. They will take effect from December this year.
In early September, the eSafety Commissioner registered additional industry-drafted codes.
These codes cover social media, gaming and messaging services, other apps and websites (including some generative AI services), app stores, and devices. They will take effect from March 2026.
Find out more about the new codes on our website.
Services that fail to comply after being directed to could face court penalties of up to $49.5 million.
We’re also continuing to raise awareness, support research, and provide guidance to families, schools, and communities.
What parents can do now
While industry changes are underway, parents and carers are still the first line of defence. Here’s what you can do:
Start early and talk often
- Open the conversation and check in with your children about what they are seeing online.
- Use age-appropriate language and check in regularly
- Focus on values such as respect, consent and empathy.
Set up safety tools
- Use parental controls and safe search settings on all devices.
- Activate restrictions on social media, video and streaming apps.
- Keep devices in shared spaces where possible.
Make it OK to ask
- Let your child know they can talk to you about anything they see online.
- Reassure them they won’t be in trouble if they come to you for help.
Stay involved
- Be curious about what apps or platforms they’re using.
- Know who they’re chatting with and what they’re seeing.
- Model healthy digital habits yourself.
How schools can help
Schools play a critical role in education and early intervention. They should:
- talk openly about respectful relationships and digital consent
- update curriculum to reflect real-world online risks
- support student wellbeing with counselling and clear reporting pathways
- work with families to build consistent messages across home and school.
Supporting confident choices
Pornography is easy to access in today’s digital world – but guidance, connection and trusted help can steer young people toward safer choices.
With open conversations at home, stronger protections online, and support from schools and communities, we can help kids navigate these spaces with greater confidence and care.
Helpful resources
Online porn – practical advice and conversation starters.
eSafety’s online safety codes – updates on industry enforcement and platform responsibilities.
Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 for free, 24/7 counselling for young people.
Parentline – support for parenting challenges.
