With a social media ban for kids under 16 just months away, research from a national child protection organisation found many children would rather spend time with family than be online.

To mark Child Protection Week, which runs until September 13, Act For Kids commissioned a nationwide survey of more than 300 people aged 10-16.

The research found that, contrary to popular belief, 41 per cent of the children surveyed would rather connect with family in real life compared to 15 per cent who preferred to spend time online.

Three-quarters of children reported feeling most connected to their families when talking about their day in person and 74 per cent felt positive about a close adult being in the same room while they were online, including 17 per cent who felt safer.

The findings prompted Act for Kids to launch their Let’s Connect IRL (In Real Life) campaign, which was rolled out nationally to mark the start of Child Protection Week on September 7.

The theme for Child Protection Week - Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation to Action - is a timely reminder for adults to listen to, and value, what children have to say, says Act for Kids CEO Katrina Lines.

Let’s Connect IRL was co-designed by children and provides practical tips for parents and carers to prioritise positive connections and conversations with kids by going back to basics and moving away from the fast-paced digital world.

It also encourages parents to join their kids when they are online to help them feel shared and create a shared connection.

“The campaign and research results come at a critical time with Australia becoming the first country to implement social media restrictions for children under the age of 16,” Dr Lines said.

“It highlights that despite the conversations we are having about children spending too much time on devices and their social media habits, we have ignored the most important voice in this issue – the voice of children.

“As a society, we need to listen to what children are saying and explore different ways to connect with them, whether that’s in real life or by trying new things such as playing games together online.”

Kiama Unplugged founder Jane Bourne who, along with her husband Ian Harvey-George hosts a monthly phone-free family afternoon at Fillmores and a weekly reading group at Cin Cin, agrees.

“The fact that young people are saying that they want to connect in real life is fantastic, and we must listen to this,” she says.

“We have to meet our young people where they are, and be open to their interests and hobbies, and make sure we approach them with an open mind.

“This means they are much more likely to share with us, and also confide in us, especially if something doesn't feel right, or if there is online bullying.”

Dr Lines says screens are an important part of a young person’s life and parents should find a way to incorporate a child’s digital world into their own.

She says the survey results provided “an important insight for parents and carers to keep kids safe online by simply being in the same room as them when they are on devices”.

“Our research found playing games is the most popular activity kids like to do online (41 per cent) and yet only a third (29 per cent) of families play games online together, which shows there’s an opportunity here for adults to connect with kids,” says Dr Lines.

“International research also shows young people who feel less connected to their family often turn to social media for support. Unfortunately, we know that social media can sometimes lead to negative experiences with children feeling isolated, lonely, anxious and at-risk of cyberbullying. Jumping online with them can reduce this.

“Most people are time-poor and juggling many competing demands, which is why it’s important to understand that short, meaningful moments spent together can be just as impactful as spending long periods of time together.”

With digital demands increasing and new regulations on the horizon, the child protection body and local groups like Kiama Unplugged are encouraging adults to seize “everyday opportunities” to connect with children.

“It is clear from the research that young people want their parents to be involved in their interests; so playing an online game with them, or taking an interest in their shows would be a great way to do this.” says Jane.

“We also understand that young people feel safer being online when there is an adult in the room, and we would certainly encourage families to keep screens in communal areas of the home, and not behind closed doors, in bedrooms.”

Jane recommends chatting in the car and asking open-ended questions, sharing a favourite movie or book together, baking, playing a boardgame, listening to vinyl records or building Lego are great ways to connect with kids, as well as joining them in their digital spaces, or simply being present in the room while they’re online.

The Let’s Connect IRL (In Real Life) campaign offers practical tools, videos, and resources to support stronger real-life connections and help keep kids safe both online and offline.