Content creation

Content creation is about producing new material to share online with an audience. Being aware of the benefits and risks can help you – and the people who use your content – stay safe online.

On this page:

• What is content creation?
• Becoming a content creator: The benefits of creating and sharing content
• The risks of creating and sharing content
• More tips for content creators
• Get help for online abuse
• More information

Content creation means making the things we see, hear or read online, usually for a specific audience. Content can be created in lots of different ways and can take many forms. For example:

• shooting photos or videos
• writing blogposts
• recording vlogs or podcasts
• designing digital artworks
• producing citizen journalism
• streaming a live event or performance.

The material can be completely original or adapted from other sources. Creators can even use artificial intelligence to generate new code, text, images, audio, video and simulations.

Content can be user-generated by people who have accounts on digital platforms or services, or it can be commercially produced. It can be created by one person, or in collaboration with others, or by a government, organisation or business. The creator may be identified or anonymous.

The content is usually shared publicly, often on a social media or live streaming service, a content sharing platform like YouTube, or through subscription-based services like Substack, Patreon and the adult site OnlyFans.

Content can be created for a wide range of reasons. These include self-expression, to inform or influence others, to educate or entertain, to trade or sell, or just to connect with people and keep in touch with them.

Many businesses use content creators to develop creative material that helps attract people to their sites to spend money – the content may demonstrate the business’s goods or services, or simply be ‘click bait’ that drives people to it.

Celebrities, politicians, influencers and other public figures create and share content on their social media accounts to interact with their followers and build a personal brand. Their aim is often to boost support for their opinions or causes, or to earn money.

The ease of content creation and sharing means businesses and people with high profiles are not the only ones who can contribute or benefit. For example, news may not always come from an official publication or broadcaster – it can come directly from a first-hand source instead, such as when someone records an event like a natural disaster and posts it directly to a video sharing platform. It’s not just business and high-profile individuals who can benefit: TikTok videos going viral may bring fame to everyday people, attracting followers and advertisers, eventually leading to financial gain.

You may share personal information without realising

Sharing personal information about yourself or other people can put the safety, privacy and security of you or them at risk.

Many accounts are automatically set to be public, meaning your posts are available to be viewed by anyone. You can adjust your privacy settings so that your content is only visible to those you want to see it and approve users before they can follow you. Learn more about how to manage your digital safety settings.

You may also choose to have more than one account. For example, a public account and then a private account for family and close friends. Social media will often let you link all your accounts, but if you want to keep these accounts separate, it’s best not to link them. You might also want to consider using different usernames and profile pictures on your personal accounts if you want to make it harder for people to identify you through them.

Keeping your location private is a way to protect your personal safety. Remember that content you share online could reveal your location, or personal details that identify you such as your date of birth, contact details or private business information. If you’re sharing photos, videos or live streaming, it's important to check what’s in frame.

Also be aware that if you have paid subscribers, third party payment services like PayPal can identify you by full name in transactions or invoices.

Your content may be shared without your consent

Once content is shared with another person it’s hard to control further sharing, especially if don’t know the person or it was through an anonymous platform.

Even if you’ve limited your content to subscribers or followers, they may still take a screenshot of your content, or take pictures or videos using a different device, then share or post it without your permission. Publicly sharing an intimate image or videos of someone without their consent, even if they posted it to subscribers or a closed forum, may be considered image-based abuse.

Your reputation may be damaged

Any content you share online can form part of your lasting ‘digital footprint’. The content can be difficult to delete, especially if it was copied or shared outside of the first platform. Even content that you have deleted, such as social media posts, might be found in online archives.

When creating and sharing content that expresses your views, opinions or humour, keep in mind that the things you say now may affect how people think of you later, even if you feel or act differently by then. Your digital footprint can be searched by people including journalists and potential employers, to check for anything inappropriate or potentially damaging.

You should also carefully consider the content you post about others, including the children in your life. Everything you post about children makes up their digital footprint and may negatively affect them in the future.

Learn more about digital reputation and find tips to manage your digital footprint. 

If anyone makes you feel uncomfortable, you can report them to the platforms they contacted you on. Key topics has the latest information to help you manage online safety issues, including cyberstalking, tech-based gendered violence, image-based abuse and adult cyber abuse.

You can also find out more about reporting the most serious online abuse and harmful content to eSafety.

Visit The eSafety Guide to find out more about specific online services, platforms and games that allows you to share content.

For more on the creation and sharing of content and keeping children safe, see Protecting children from sexual abuse online.

You can also read about the legal powers eSafety has to help protect people who live in Australia from the most serious online abuse and harmful content.