Introduction

67.1 This chapter examines whether children and young people have different attitudes to privacy from older people.^[1] It commences by discussing existing Australian and overseas research about attitudes of children and young people to privacy. It then sets out the methods the ALRC used to consult with children and young people in this Inquiry, and highlights some of the privacy-related issues that were said to be of concern to these children and young people. Finally, it considers the privacy of children and young people who participate in online social networking.

67.2 In this chapter, the ALRC recommends that a longitudinal study of the privacy attitudes of Australians, and in particular attitudes of young Australians, be undertaken to underpin future policy making in this area. The ALRC does not make any recommendations for regulation of social networking websites additional to the requirements of the Privacy Act. It does, however, make a number of recommendations aimed at increasing the levels of awareness of privacy issues among children and young people.

67.3 Chapter 68 deals specifically with issues about individuals under the age of 18 making decisions in relation to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), and Chapter 69 deals with a number of particular privacy issues relevant to children and young people.