Back in the day, a phone was used for calls, texts and a quick game of Snake. Fast forward to today, and a single device can stream your favourite show, pay for lunch, plan a holiday and broadcast snippets of your life for the world to see.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority’s latest research shows that the percentage of adults who access the internet via mobile phones rose to 97% in 2025 from 95% in 2024. From the first scroll in the morning to the last check before bed, young Australians rarely go far without their smartphones. But beyond calls and messages, what are they actually using them for?
Media and entertainment
Entertainment is where most of that screen time goes. According to eSafety research on the digital lives of Aussie teens, young Australians use social media to stay connected, while e-books and news apps keep them informed. Streaming platforms let them enjoy movies, TV shows and music whenever they want, as long as there’s an internet connection. Headphones on, eyes down. On the commute, during a coffee break, or in any quiet moment, people are scrolling Instagram, watching TikToks or listening to podcasts.
Navigation and travel
Getting around has never been easier. Live traffic updates, public transport apps like Opal Travel or PTV, and route planners help people get where they need to go. Weekend getaways and spontaneous road trips are easier to organise, with scenic routes and photo stops saved in a few taps. Navigation apps such as Apple Maps and Google Maps are useful for far more than finding a way to and from work. They also help with discovering local businesses, checking reviews or picking somewhere new to meet friends.
Banking, shopping and identity checks
Banking apps now handle balance checks, transfers and splitting bills with mates. Digital wallets have also made tapping a phone to pay the new norm, with less need to carry a physical card. Buy now, pay later apps have become a standard checkout option, making it easier to spend without feeling it.
Shopping apps make it easy to browse stores, collect loyalty points and keep track of deliveries. Digital ID now replaces in-person paperwork for many account sign-ups. Know Your Customer (KYC) processes let users confirm who they are by uploading a driver’s licence or taking a quick selfie. That convenience puts licence scans and selfies on the phone and in third-party systems.
Organisation
Calendar apps help young Australians organise work shifts, uni deadlines, appointments and social plans in one place. Reminder apps nudge people to pay bills, buy groceries or get the chores done. Notes apps are handy for saving shopping lists, quick ideas and random thoughts.
Location sharing has changed how people coordinate plans with mates and keep family in the loop after a night out. Sharing a live location can help friends find each other and get home safely. It’s worth checking who can see your location and turning sharing off when it’s no longer needed.
Don’t leave your personal data exposed
With so much personal information stored on your smartphone, it’s worth taking steps to protect it. Knowing the difference between a VPN and antivirus software is a good place to start. Antivirus scans your device for malware, while a VPN encrypts your connection so others on the same network cannot see your traffic. They offer different types of protection, so neither replaces the other. Public Wi-Fi at cafes, airports and shopping centres is where that gap matters most. Running both, keeping apps updated and staying cautious on shared networks all help.
