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From the moment a child wakes up until they go to sleep, their personal data is being collected, tracked, and sometimes shared. It’s impossible to produce an exact number, but the best estimate we have is that, by the time a child turns 13, around 72 million pieces of data will be collected about them. The digital footprint of a child is often invisible, yet it shapes their online and offline experiences in important ways.
The examples we've given above refer to instances where data is taken while interacting with an app. However, some apps can stay active even when they are not being used, and they continue to gather data while running in the background. Various gaming, messaging and social networking apps, for example, will keep logging data about a child's location and internet usage throughout the day.
Any one of these pieces of data might not seem like much in isolation. But when combined and cross-referenced, as they often are, they can form a highly detailed profile of the individual user: their weekly schedule; their home and school address; who their friends are; details of their physical and mental health; their interests, fears and anxieties.
The data gathered throughout a child’s day can be used in many ways, and sometimes these efforts are genuinely intended to benefit them. For instance, data gathered by educational technologies (EdTech) about a student’s performance can help educators learn where they might need extra support, allowing for more personalised learning. But that doesn’t mean EdTech is risk-free. Many have questioned whether the amount and type of data being collected goes beyond what is necessary, and whether this amounts to an invasion of privacy.
Whether it comes from EdTech or some other platform, there are big concerns about where all that data can end up. Much of it flows through to companies called data brokers. These firms collect and analyse massive amounts of data, which they then sell for huge profits, generally to other companies to use for marketing purposes. And while we can all agree that we need to be especially vigilant in safeguarding the privacy of children and young people, there seems to be little, if any, difference in how their data is treated under this business model.
In Australia, as in many other countries, laws governing the harvesting, sale and use of personal data are weak. Most of the governing bodies and legislation meant to protect our privacy were created before the explosion of the online data industry, which is growing and changing rapidly. This means that data brokers could be collecting and using children’s personal information in ways that are not technically illegal, but which many people would consider an alarming violation of privacy.
On top of this, the industry deliberately resists attempts at regulation. Data brokers keep the inner workings of their business largely out of sight. They use vague, confusing language to explain how data is gathered, who they sell it to and what it will be used for. For these reasons, it’s impossible to say exactly what goes on behind the scenes. But what we can see tells us that existing regulations are far too weak to adequately protect children’s digital rights.
Right now, parents and carers who want to protect their children’s digital rights have their work cut out for them. The urge to ban all connected devices is a common theme, and for concerned parents, it's understandable. But the fact is that we live in a digital world, and simply “unplugging” young people from that world is neither realistic nor fair.
Digital technology offers limitless possibilities for learning, connection and innovation, and our ultimate vision is that online spaces are safe for children and young people. Currently, it is parents who are unfairly burdened with keeping children safe from online harm, with tech companies typically more concerned about increasing profits than ensuring their platforms and business models support children’s wellbeing. These issues are getting a lot of attention, and we’re seeing some movement at the policy level to hold the industry to account. But we’re still a long way from making that vision a reality.
Most apps and devices have adjustable settings that can be used to restrict the type and amount of data being gathered. You can find more information about how to do this at the website of the Australian eSafety Commissioner.
As parents, carers and educators, we are in the best position to support children’s safety when we ourselves are well informed. One way to do this is by using the Beacon app, which was created by Dolly’s Dream in partnership with the Telethon Kids Institute to help parents and carers navigate their children’s technology use and reduce harms.
If your child’s school uses EdTech – and almost all schools do – you should be forthright in asking educators about it. Often, the teachers themselves feel overwhelmed by all the systems they are expected to use, and there may be questions that they haven’t considered. This discussion should involve the whole school community, including children and young people.
The single most important thing adults can do to safeguard their children’s wellbeing in a digital world is to talk to them about it. Children and young people often know more about technology than their parents and carers, but they may not fully grasp the risks.
How you approach these conversations matters; avoid lecturing or interrogating your children about their use of technology, and don’t try to frighten them with the most extreme examples. Instead, show an interest in what they are doing. Ask them if they think about their digital footprint and how that their data might be used and discuss how they can gain more control over their data.
For more guidance on how to have these conversations, you can visit DigiTalk, our online hub for parents and carers created in partnership with Telstra. Here you’ll find information and resources to help you talk to young people about online safety.
While technology offers incredible opportunities, children’s data is often collected with little transparency. Protecting their privacy requires awareness and action - from parents, educators and policymakers. Ensuring strong data protection laws, improving digital literacy, and advocating for ethical tech practices can help safeguard children’s information and their future.
By understanding how and where data is collected, we can work towards a safer, more responsible digital world for children.
We believe every child deserves to feel safe - offline and online. The internet can and should be a safe, enriching and empowering space for children. But right now, it hasn't been designed with their best interest at heart. Find out more about what's really going on below the surface.
The digital world has many positives, but it was not designed to be safe and age-appropriate for children and young people. We advocate to governments and digital platforms for optimal safety standards to be built into all digital spaces and devices.
Australia’s Online Safety Act review calls for key changes to the legislation to make the digital environment a safer place for children and young people.
