Online safety for children

Contact risks

Harm can come from negative interactions with people via the internet. This may include people known to the child or people children have not met (strangers).

Examples: Two forms of harmful contact via the internet are cyberbullying (using technology to intentionally and repeatedly cause harm to another person) and ‘grooming’ (whereby adults deliberately befriend children online for sexual purposes).

Content risks

Viewing harmful material (content) may distort children’s ideas about what is normal or age-appropriate, create unrealistic and unhealthy attitudes about the self, others and society in general, and expose them to images or practices that may be unsafe or are not developmentally appropriate.

Examples: Pornographic, sexualised images, violent imagery or games, material that endorses inappropriate behaviours or perpetuates negative stereotypes (such as racist comments, images or language), or advertising material that encourages spending money or buying products (including online gambling).

Accessibility risks

These occur when internet technology dominates children’s lives at the expense of other types of activities and interests. In some extreme cases, children and young people find they are excessively using the internet and having difficulty cutting back time online, even if they feel they should.

Examples: Excessive time spent ‘online’ can take away from other activities such as spending time in person with family or peers, engaging in physical activity (such as sport) and spending time outdoors.

Privacy and confidentiality risks

Harm can result when children and young people post personal and identifying details online, often without thinking through the consequences. In the most extreme situations, personal information can be misused by others (e.g., sexual images) or for identity theft (e.g., use of credit card for purchasing).

Examples: Posting personal information or photos on Facebook, ‘sexting’ (sharing sexual images online or via mobile phone) or entering personal address or bank details into unknown websites.

Encourage and support alternative activities and influences

Parents can encourage children to enjoy a range of activities (both online and offline) and promote a range of influences in their lives.

• Support activities that do not involve online technologies, such as outdoor or sporting activities, volunteering or community related pursuits, and those that involve face to face contact with friends, family and communities
• Provide healthy role models for your children – set limits to your own time online and model enjoyment of other indoor and outdoor activities as well
• Promote healthy role models and expectations that offer alternatives to those available online and in the media
• Support the valuing of diversity, inclusion and equality for all, and discuss the impact of attitudes and behaviours on other people (online and offline)
• Support the development of a positive self-image and discuss what it means to have healthy relationships. For example, encourage positive alternatives to the sexualisation of children and to commercial interests promoted broadly in the media and even more prolifically online.

Establish limits to online use

It is recommended that parents establish limits to their children’s time and access online, especially for younger children or where their online behaviour is having a negative impact on other aspects of their life.

• Together, set some family parameters (a family agreement) around online use so that children have ownership of the agreements.
• Set limits around the time your child can spend online or using their mobile phone (e.g., no mobile phones at the dinner table, Wi-Fi password only given once homework done, internet off after 10pm).
• Agree on rules about privacy and confidentiality, while monitoring online access for younger children.
• Discuss your house rules with the parents of your children’s friends, especially when your child is visiting their home.

Keep up to date with online technologies and environments

If you are not familiar with certain online environments, like chat rooms, Facebook or Twitter, it will be harder for you to monitor your child’s experiences whilst online. So, take opportunities to learn these skills.

• Visit the Australian Government internet safety initiative that has been designed to keep parents informed and kids safe whilst online (https://www.esafety.gov.au/kids).
• Take advantage of school internet and online safety parent information sessions, as well as local library or community courses on computer or internet usage.
• Learn how to install and use filters, but don’t rely only on this strategy.
• Be educated about mobile phone plans and phone settings, and educate your children about the importance of financial costs, credit access, and privacy settings.
• Find out and share online resources that provide education and support for developing healthy attitudes and behaviours (such as healthy images that support positive body image, and sites that promote inclusion and discourage negative stereotyping such as racism).

Stay interested and involved in your child's online activities

As a parent you can help your child have positive experiences online. Stay involved in your child’s use of online technology. Spend time with your child online, like chat rooms and Facebook, and explore new sites together.

• Stay familiar with the sites and networks your children use (e.g., set up your own accounts, learn about privacy settings, check age restrictions).
• Talk to your children about where they go online, and who they talk to. Remind them to be careful about making new friends online and to never meet an online friend in person without a trusted adult.
• Remember that your definitions of “friend” and “stranger” may be different from your child’s. Talk with your child about who their online friends are and how they have gotten to know them.  Be interested and curious and if you have concerns, talk about online safety (see below). 
• Discuss with your child the type of sites that are appropriate for their age and those that are not, and help your child use appropriate search engines, websites and apps.
• Notice changes in your child’s behaviour (such as increased anxiety or withdrawal from friends).
• Keep a record of concerning content or harassing messages in case things escalate.

Talk about online safety with your child

Research shows that along with peers, children are most likely to tell a parent when dealing with problems online. As a parent you can help your child by encouraging an open discussion.

• Talk to them before issues arise (for example about what cyberbullying is), discuss strategies to address any issues and reassure your child that you will be there to support them
• Discuss with your child the kinds of sites that are appropriate and why some sites are not appropriate for children their age. Teach them about what to do if they come across inappropriate content.
• Teach your children to question information sources and content – for example, providing children with the knowledge to critique pornography and to understand that the imagery has been constructed for a commercial purpose; ask them what messages they think the images send to young people about relationship expectations.
• Make sure your children feel comfortable sharing their questions and concerns with you. This may mean that you need to listen to their concerns without judging, interrupting, panicking or criticising.
• Reassure your child that he or she will not get into trouble if they tell you about a problem.

Talk about appropriate behaviour online

Discuss with your child what sorts of behaviours are not appropriate online.

• Remind children only to post what they’re comfortable with others seeing and remind them that online content can be seen for a very long time, even by future employers.  Content can remain online even if they think that they have deleted it from their site, because they have little control over older versions on other computers that may continue to circulate online.
• If you are not comfortable with what your child is comfortable with, take time to discuss this with them.  Always try to stay curious about their different perspectives.
• Tell your children not to impersonate someone else online and that it is wrong to create posts or pages that seem to be written by someone else, like a schoolmate or teacher.  
• Let your adolescents know that it is not ok to ask someone to send them nude pictures. Discuss issues around consent and emphasise that these same principles apply for online communication and relationships as they do for in-person interactions.

Seeing a Psychologist

If your child seems particularly anxious or irritable, or you notice their online use is affecting their school, home life, or relationships, a psychologist may be able to help. Psychologists are highly trained and qualified professionals skilled in helping people with a range of mental health and wellbeing concerns.

Talk to your child’s teacher or school psychologist if the issue involves another student or if access to inappropriate content is occurring at school. 

There are a few ways you can access a psychologist. You can: 

• Use the Australia-wide Find a Psychologist service or call 1800 333 497
• Ask your GP or another health professional to refer you.

If you are referred to a psychologist by your GP, you might be able to get a Medicare rebate that may assist you in meeting the costs of treatment. You may also be able to receive psychology services via telehealth so you don’t need to travel to see a psychologist. Ask your psychologist or GP for details.

eSafety kids

The Australian eSafety Commissioner website dedicated to online safety for children.
https://www.esafety.gov.au/kids

Kids Helpline

Kids Helpline is a free Australian telephone and online counselling service for young people aged between 5 and 25.
https://kidshelpline.com.au/

headspace

Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing assistance for individuals aged 12-25
www.headspace.org.au

Lifeline

A 24-hour counselling, suicide prevention and mental health support service
Telephone: 13 11 14 
www.lifeline.org.au