New research we have conducted examines how First Nations children's use of digital technologies has changed over time, and how it differs by socioeconomic background.
The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC) aims to improve the understanding of the lives of First Nations children by surveying a large sample of First Nations families from urban, regional, remote and very remote areas from 2008 to 2020.
The report provides an evidence base for policies aimed at improving digital inclusion for First Nations children to enable them to reach their full learning potential. Children surveyed were aged between 6 months and 17 years during the course of the research.
Key findings include:
- First Nations children's use of the internet, computers and mobile phones grew significantly between 2011 and 2019, noting use increases with age significantly
- Just over two-thirds of primary caregivers felt that their child was safe online in 2019, however their perception of online safety has lessened over time
- almost three quarters of primary caregivers had one or more rules about their child's internet access
- First Nations children living in very remote areas still experience lower levels of digital connectivity, however access to the internet and computers in remote schools provide opportunities for digital connectivity.
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