• Managing child safety online

    Online children today are “digital natives”. They regard the internet and all its abilities as the usual, everyday way of interacting with other people and information.

    Just as you wouldn’t leave a child in the middle of a crowded city, you need to provide guided support for children to learn how to navigate the online environment.

    Wi Fi

  • Parental Control Tools

    Parental controls are software tools that allow you to monitor and limit what your child sees and does online. Many of these tools are built-in to common devices. Parental control software is not a substitute for open communication – the two work hand-in-hand. Have open (and ongoing) conversations with your children about the importance of responsible device usage.

     Parental Control Tool Benefits
    Block access to certain websites, apps, or functions Prevents children from accessing inappropriate content or engaging in activities that may pose risks, such as making purchases or using the device’s camera without supervision.
    Filter content Protects children from exposure to harmful content such as adult material, violence, drugs, and hate speech.
    Monitor device usage Allows parents to track their children’s online activities, including the websites they visit and the apps they use, providing insights into their digital behaviour.
    Set time limits Enables parents to control the amount of time children spend on devices, promoting balanced screen time and preventing excessive use.

  • You can also practise these steps to improve the your children’s safety online:

    • 1
      App awareness

      Install, sign up for, and use the apps, services and software children are using, including social media, online and offline games, any comments pages, music or video services, and school sites.

    • 2
      Age restrictions

      Be aware of age restrictions on sites, forums, gaming sites, and websites.

    • 3
      Privacy caution

      Take care when sharing images and stories of children on social media. Limit the audience for pictures of children, and avoid sharing pictures that show where you or your children live, work, play, go to school, shop, and so on.

    • 4
      Parental connection

      Find and friend your children on their social media – you don’t have to be super-busy and comment on everything they post, but make sure you can see their activity to head off potential problems.

    • 5
      Monitor dialogue

      Talk with children about the reasons you need to monitor their social media use, and what you will be watching out for. Discuss honouring their privacy, but watching out for any bad behaviour.

    • 6
      Open communication

      Encourage children to discuss anything they find online that makes them uncomfortable, unhappy, or feel unsafe.

    • 7
      Support resources

      Let them know of other trusted adults or authorities (for example, Kids Helpline) that they can talk to about these issues as well.

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