Tips to help your children be safe and responsible online users.

The internet is a great way to socialise, learn, work, play and be entertained — but with technology comes risks. Do you know how to keep your child safe online?

Set the ground rules

• Establish rules about the types of content or information your child should report to an adult – for example, telling you about any swearing or bad words they find online.
• Set rules to make sure your child knows what information they can share or post online and the websites they can visit. This includes telling a trusted adult before posting any personal information online, including for competition entries.
• Encourage your child to use the same manners and communication they would use offline, and remind them it’s okay to report others who aren't being nice.

Stay involved

• Closely monitor younger children’s internet use.
• Try to keep the computer in a shared or visible place in the home.
• Be aware of how your child uses the internet and explore it with them.

Proactively guide

• Help your child understand that what they say and do online is important.
• Encourage your child to learn about online safety with fun resources from the eSafety Commissioner website, like Hector’s World and #GameOn.
• Talk to your child about personal information and why it is special and remind them how it can be used to identify or locate them.
• Bookmark a list of favourite sites you are comfortable with your child visiting and teach them how to access this list.
• Consider using filters to help manage your child's online access.

Support positively

• Advise your child not to respond to any negative messages and to report any hurtful messages they receive to you or another trusted adult.
• Teach your child that there are ways they can deal with material that worries or frightens them – this includes immediately telling a trusted adult of any concerns or uncomfortable material and how to close a web page or turn off a screen.
• If your child shows any concerning changes in behaviour or mood then talk to them or seek professional support – Kids Helpline provides free, confidential online counselling for young people, and your school may also be able to help.