Aussie kids' social media usage doubles, report reveals

Australian children are spending an increasing amount of time on popular social media platforms TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, according to a new report by online safety company Qustodio.

The report, "The Digital Dilemma: Childhood At a Crossroads", uses data from devices in over 400,000 family homes across five major markets and 10,000 schools in three countries.

It provides an overview of social media usage among children aged 4-18 and includes insights from over 2,000 parents.

"Kids can't legally drive, consume alcohol or smoke — but the online world is harder to police," said Yasmin London, Global Online Safety Expert for Qoria.

"Many countries are looking to restrict or — like the Australian Government has declared — ban access to certain online platforms in an effort to help families safeguard their children."

"But virtual private networks (VPNs) are just one easily-accessible way some savvy kids could use to circumvent any bans being put in place."

"It's important that families, educators and policymakers are aware of the dangers as kids navigate the digital world, the risks specific to their favourite applications, what their future with technology may look like, and expert advice to help ensure their safety as they explore," London added.

In Australia, the report reveals an increase in social media screen time. TikTok leads with children spending an average of 117 minutes per day on the app, nearly double what it was in 2020.

Instagram ranks second with 71 minutes per day, an increase from 35 minutes in 2020.

London pointed out the necessity of balancing the positive aspects of social media with the need to protect children from potential harms, adding, "To keep social media use healthy, it's important to ensure you have clear family expectations and supervision of their access and use from the get-go."

Continuing, London advised, "Speaking to your child about the harms and risks associated with social media, as well as the benefits, should be part of an ongoing conversation that makes them aware of the risks the digital world poses—before they experience it for themselves."

The report also found that 27 per cent of parents globally believe 16 is the right age for children to start using social media, aligning with Australian Government guidelines.

Snapchat emerged as the communication tool of choice with Australian children averaging 88 minutes per day on the platform.

The app's features and ephemeral nature have raised concerns over cyberbullying and inappropriate content.

London remarked, "Snapchat has time-devouring features commonly found on social media apps—such as Stories and Discover content. But the disappearing aspect of the communication tool can open up risks to cyberbullying and explicit content. Parents should be aware of the risks and be willing to maintain an open dialogue with their children."

The time spent on gaming applications is decreasing, with an exception in Roblox, which remains popular. In 2024, children spent 137 minutes per day on Roblox, a slight decrease compared to 2022.

London highlighted the risks associated with gaming platforms, stating, "Gaming can be a great way for kids to let off steam and develop skills such as problem-solving and teamwork, but online features on gaming apps can often be a source of conflict, nastiness, or even abuse."

Parents are shown to be proactive in monitoring and blocking platforms they find inappropriate, with TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram among the most restricted.

Dialogues about online safety are also prevalent, with 80 per cent of parents having regular discussions with their children.

"The usage data in this report highlights that despite growing concern over social media, children are continuing to increase time spent on these platforms," said London, while noting that many parents are already implementing restrictions ahead of governmental measures.