Top tips to help protect your children online

• Build an open, trusting relationship around technology — keep communication open and supportive so your child knows they can come to you if something goes wrong or does not feel right online.

• Co-view and co-play with your child online. This will help you understand what they are doing and why they enjoy an app, game or website, as well as providing a great opportunity to start conversations about online safety.

• Build good habits and help your child to develop digital intelligence and social and emotional skills — such as respect, empathy, critical thinking, responsible behaviour and resilience — and practice being good online citizens.

• Empower your child — wherever possible, help them make wise decisions for themselves, rather than telling them what to do. Try to provide them with strategies for dealing with negative online experiences that will build their confidence and resilience.

• Use devices in open areas of the home — this can help you manage and be aware of who your child interacts with online through phones, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles and other connected devices.

• Set time limits that balance time spent in front of screens with offline activities. A family technology plan can help you manage expectations around where and when technology use is allowed. Search online for templates or examples.

• Know the apps, games and social media sites your kids are using — make sure they are age-appropriate and learn how to limit messaging or online chat and location-sharing functions within apps or games, as these can expose your child to unwanted contact and disclose their physical location. The eSafety Guide includes information to help parents and carers choose safer apps and report and block unwanted contact.

• Check the privacy settings on the games and apps your child is using and make sure their profiles are turned on to the strictest privacy setting. Restrict who can contact your child or ask them to check in with you before accepting new friends.

• Use available technologies to set up parental controls on devices that can filter harmful content, monitor your child’s use and limit or block their time on connected devices or functions (e.g. cameras, in-app purchases).

• Be alert to signs of distress and know where to go for more advice and support.

Upcoming webinars for parents and carers

The Australian Government eSafety Commissioner has a wide range of online FREE online webinars to give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safe online experiences.

The first free online webinar focuses on understanding and using parental controls to help protect your child online. 

Parental controls can help protect children and young people by preventing access to harmful content, as well as helping manage time spent online and who they communicate with.

Join the 45-minute webinar to find out about:

• the types of parental controls available and how to set them for your child’s safety including smart devices, in apps, gaming platforms and computers
• using parental controls with other online safety strategies to help your child build digital and critical skills to have safer experiences online.

Details:

Wednesday, 14 May, 12.30pm

Tuesday, 3 June, 3.30pm

Click here to register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/5611584535644410976