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New research is showing that more and more young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are turning to technology for cultural expression and engagement but face greater risk of exposure to harmful content online.
Findings released today by the eSafety Commission reveal First Nations youth are collectively using the internet in greater than average numbers to explore the world, make new friends, connect with people from different backgrounds, and discuss social or political issues.
eSafety’s research, Cool, Beautiful, Strange and Scary: the online experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their parents and care givers, shows that First Nations youth are almost twice as likely as young Australians overall to post original video or music online, and more than twice as likely to post their own story or blog.
However, it also shows that First Nations youth face a greater risk of exposure to a range of other harmful content and are nearly three times more likely to report experiencing hate speech.
“Our research reveals negative experiences online can have a profound impact on young First Nations people, triggering feelings like sadness and anger or a sense of isolation,” said eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant.
“But our research also shows young First Nations people are demonstrating a high degree of resourcefulness and resilience, taking positive and proactive steps such as blocking or deleting, reaching out to friends, families, schools or police, and changing privacy settings,” Grant said.
The results come as eSafety releases a comprehensive suite of resources aimed at helping First Nations communities continue to thrive online and navigate the risk of negative online experiences.
Available at eSafety.gov.au/firstnations, the resources include new video and audio content in multiple languages designed to help First Nations people of all ages maximise the value of online experiences and avoid potential dangers such as cyberbullying, abuse and harmful content.
Communications minister Michelle Rowland said the Albanese government takes the research findings seriously, adding that “there is no place in Australia for hate.”
“eSafety can help when things go wrong online, and support victims of online abuse. I look forward to seeing how eSafety’s latest resources support First Nations people to stay safe online,” Rowland said.
Prepared in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, the package includes designs from First Nations artist Amy Allerton to help communicate important online safety messages.
