Two-thirds of Australian children received grooming messages online, study finds

A recent survey of Australian children found that nearly two‑thirds had received at least one instance of grooming‑related communication from a stranger online within the past year, and almost one‑third reported direct requests for sexual information or interaction. The study, which sampled a broad cross‑section of youth across the country, highlights the prevalence of unsolicited and potentially exploitative contact in digital environments frequented by minors.

Researchers noted that the high incidence of such communications underscores ongoing challenges for online safety initiatives and child protection agencies tasked with monitoring and responding to digital abuse. The findings are expected to inform policy discussions and the development of targeted education programs aimed at reducing exposure to online grooming and safeguarding children’s well‑being.