The online experiences of children in Australia

Initial findings show that:

• More than 1 in 2 (53%) children aged 10 to 17 had experienced cyberbullying and almost 3 in 4 (74%) had ever seen or heard content associated with harm online. In addition, 1 in 4 (25%) had ever experienced non-consensual tracking, monitoring or harassment at some point.
• Experiences of cyberbullying, exposure to content associated with harm and non-consensual tracking, monitoring and harassment increased with age. Trans and gender-diverse children were more likely than girls and boys to have experienced cyberbullying and to have been exposed to content associated with harm online. They were also more likely to have experienced non-consensual tracking, monitoring or harassment at some point. Girls were also more likely than boys to have experienced cyberbullying and non-consensual tracking, monitoring or harassment.

More specifically:

Almost 2 in 5 children had:

• someone say hurtful things to them online (38%)
• been purposely left out of an online activity (35%).

1 in 4 children had:

• humiliating or hurtful things said about them online (25%).

Almost 1 in 2 children had seen or heard:

• offensive, sexist or hurtful things online about girls or women (47%)
• fight videos posted online (47%)
• dangerous online challenges (46%).

More than 2 in 5 children had seen or heard:

• things online that encourage unhealthy eating or exercise habits (44%)
• offensive or threatening things about other people online because others are hateful of their identity (42%).

1 in 6 children had:

• someone look through their phone or social media or read their messages without their permission (17%).

Around 1 in 10 children had:

• felt worried or scared because someone kept sending them messages, calling or posting on their social media page and wouldn't stop (12%)
• had their exact real-time location tracked by someone without their permission (8%).

This research draws on data from eSafety’s ‘Keeping Kids Safe Online’ survey, conducted in December 2024 to February 2025. The survey examined the online experiences and participation of children in Australia.

The survey was conducted with a nationally representative sample of children aged 10 to17 years living in Australia and their parent or caregiver. A total of 3,454 children and their parent or caregiver participated in the survey. Two weeks after completion of the core survey, children were recontacted and asked additional questions, with 2,302 children included in the recontact survey. 

eSafety’s Parents section has information for parents and carers, including information and advice about helping children stay safe online.

eSafety’s Kids and Young People sections provide useful information to help children and teens stay safe online.