Digital use and risk: Online platform engagement among children aged 10 to 15
The 'Digital use and risk: Online platform engagement among children aged 10 to 15' report is part of a series from eSafety’s 'Keeping Kids Safe Online' survey. It details top-line findings on the use of online platforms and experiences of harms among children aged 10 to 15 in Australia.
The report draws on data from a nationally representative survey of 3,454 children aged 10 to 17 years living in Australia between December 2024 and February 2025. A subset of this data, comprising responses from 2,629 children aged 10 to 15 years, was examined to explore their use of online platforms, their experiences of online harms and where these harms occurred. (See our Methodology Report.)
Key findings
96%
of children aged 10 to 15 had used social media and a majority had used a communication platform to chat, message, call or video call others (94%).
86%
had played online video games.
We found exposure to online harms was common. More specifically:
- 71% had encountered content associated with harm
- 57% had seen online hate
- 52% had been cyberbullied
- 25% had personally experienced online hate
- 24% had experienced online sexual harassment
- 23% had experienced non-consensual tracking, monitoring or harassment
- 14% had experienced online grooming-type behaviour
- 8% had experienced image-based abuse.
Online harms occurred across various digital platforms. While social media was the most common category of platform where children reported recently encountering most online harms, many children also experienced harm on communication and gaming platforms.
Download the report
Helpful resources
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 (including teenagers) stay safe online.
Last updated: 10/07/2025