New research has uncovered concerning trends in Australian children’s online experiences, with 57% reporting being bullied or belittled on social media and 43% having been contacted by strangers online. The study, conducted by Human Mobile Devices (HMD), also revealed that 21% of Australian children have had strangers attempt to move their conversations to encrypted chats.
The findings, part of a global survey involving over 12,000 children aged 8-15, highlight significant issues related to online safety, cyberbullying, harmful content, and screen addiction. Notably, 57% of Australian children have experienced cyberbullying, slightly higher than the global average.
HMD, in response to these findings and previous parental concerns, has unveiled the HMD Fusion X1, a new “stepping stone” smartphone designed with enhanced safety features. The device includes built-in, operating system-level parental controls accessible through an Xplora subscription, allowing parents to manage app access, screen time, and location.
Additionally, HMD announced plans to launch AI-powered harm-blocking technology this winter, developed in partnership with SafeToNet. This technology will provide real-time protection against harmful content, automatically detecting and blocking it before it reaches the user.
The research also highlighted that Australian children spend an average of 3.9 hours daily on their phones, with many expressing concerns about potential addiction with key findings including:
- Nearly half of Australian children surveyed are worried about phone addiction.
- 32% have been exposed to sexual or violent content.
- Almost half have been regularly contacted by online strangers.
- Two thirds felt pressured to own a phone.
“This data is a major wake-up call,”
said Brenden Folitarik, GM of Australia & Oceania at HMD.
“We know Aussie parents are stressed, and our new research shows why.”
Dr. Grace Hancock, a child and adolescent clinical psychologist, emphasised the need for better protection and management of online risks, highlighting the importance of devices designed to facilitate parental oversight.
HMD’s initiatives, including the Fusion X1 and the upcoming AI-powered protection, are intended to provide safer online experiences for children and greater peace of mind for parents.
