While it is more difficult to keep tight supervision on what teenagers are doing online, it is vital that you stay in touch with them and talk often about safe internet use, the risks and how to avoid them.Ĭhildren and young people are increasingly interacting online via online gaming platforms. This age group may also try to explore prohibited material. Their use of social media will grow as will their network of online ‘friends‘. Teenagers will want more independence and freedom while using the internet. Similarly, have an agreed-on plan with your child if a stranger tries to communicate with them online and remind your child repeatedly and often of the fact that not everyone is who they say they are online. turn the device face down and tell a trusted adult). Stay within earshot of your child and have a pre-determined plan of action if they stumble across something inappropriate (e.g. Children may also try to search for prohibited material and notice marketing material, wanting to purchase products online.Įnsure computers and other devices are used in a common area in the home where you can keep on eye on your child, rather than in private (ie their bedroom). Primary school-aged childrenĬhildren of this age feel more confident using the internet and may wish to start to use social media. This includes visiting children’s websites and helping them compose friendly emails to family and friends.īe sure to sit with your child during this learning stage when they are on a computer or device and choose websites, games, and apps that are suitable for your child’s age group – even games and apps that are designed for young children have features that enable communication with strangers. This age group is just beginning to learn how computers, phones, and other devices work and the joy they can bring. Encourage them to be proactive about keeping their online space safe and teach them how to report online creeps via Bravehearts’ Join the Dots tool.
Let them know they can talk to you or another adult they can trust.
The more familiar you are with them, the easier it is for you to talk to your children. Educate yourself: Check out different sites, games, and apps for yourself.
With this in mind, it is just as important to talk about online personal safety with your children as it is personal safety in the offline world. In other cases, sex offenders are reaching out to children through social media platforms and coercing them into sharing inappropriate or naked pictures of themselves, which is secretly captured and shared in the darkest corners of the internet (Alarming rise in ‘self-produced child abuse material’ sparks online safety warnings,, 2017). In some instances, children are willingly sharing photos of themselves, including inappropriate or naked pictures on social media. This means that children and young people are developing friendships and relationships with people they have never met face to face.Īustralian police have seen an increase in reports of “self-produced child exploitation material”. More than 1 in 4 Australian 11-16 year-olds say they are in communication with people they first met online, unconnected with their offline social networks (Green et al, 2011). Online safety is one of the biggest issues we face in child protection.