Tech Hub

Social Media & Messaging Apps - What Parents Need to Know

Even primary-aged children are becoming curious about social media and messaging apps.

Whether it’s wanting to chat with friends, share videos, or join group chats, it’s important for families to understand how to keep these platforms safe.

You don’t need to know all the tech details to help your child – just a few simple steps can make a big difference.

Common Apps Kids May Use

Messenger Kids – Safer option with parental approval for contacts.
WhatsApp – Easy messaging, but no parental controls and group invites can include strangers.
TikTok – Popular for videos, but content isn’t always child-friendly and strangers can comment.
Discord – Chat app often linked to games but has open servers where strangers can join.

Review the Security Settings on your child’s apps and spend some time with your child sharing their contacts.

Keeping your child’s social apps safe doesn’t have to be complicated. Try this step-by-step routine together:

Open the app with your child and ask how it works– Shows you’re interested and supportive.
Go to “Settings → Privacy/Account”– See the important safety options at a glance.
Set privacy to “My Contacts” or “Only Me”– Keeps information limited to people they know and trust.
Review the contact list together– Make sure there are no unknown or unsafe contacts.
Talk about each setting– Helps your child understand why privacy is important, without feeling “checked on.”
Use tools like Sleep Mode or time limits (Messenger Kids)– Encourages healthy screen-time habits.

This quick routine helps your child feel safe, supported, and confident while using apps – and keeps you informed without feeling like a “tech expert.”

Parent Tip of the Week: Connect Through Tech

Make technology something you share, not something you police.

Play your child’s favourite game or watch their favourite show together - it opens the door for natural conversations about what they’re seeing online.
If you’re worried about something, start with curiosity instead of blame: “Can you help me understand what happened?”
And don’t forget to celebrate their good choices like telling you about a problem or blocking someone unsafe.

Small moments of connection help your child feel safe coming to you when something online doesn’t feel right.

Upcoming Community Tech Sessions…

Understanding and using parental controls to help protect your child online Register your interest

Tuesday 2nd Sept 3:30pm – Online Webinar

Parental controls can be a useful addition to the strategies you use to help protect your child online. This 45-minute webinar covers the types of controls available, and how to use them alongside other online safety measures. It’s suitable for parents and carers of primary and high school students. Learn more about this webinar.

Tech Strategies for Families Register your interest

Wednesday 9th Sept 10:00am – 12:00pm - Ballarat Library

Reflect on technology use in your family, considering both the challenges and opportunities.

Parenting in a world driven by technology presents a set of challenges for parents, guardians, grandparents and carers. Tech is a part of our reality, but setting boundaries around its use is not always easy.

Join other parents and carers in this workshop which:

presents current research
helps you reflect on tech use in your family; considering both the challenges and opportunities
explores strategies that focus on creating a safe and healthy tech environment for your family

ThinkUKnow – eSafety for Parents Register your interest

Wednesday 10th Sept 5:30-7:00pm – Ballarat Library

ThinkUKnow is an evidence-based education program led by the Australian Federal Police, working to prevent online child sexual exploitation.

The presentation will be delivered by a local law enforcement member and an industry volunteer. The presentation is pro-technology and addresses topics including self-generated child abuse material, online grooming, sexual extortion, and importantly encourages help seeking behaviour. 

This is a fantastic opportunity for you to learn more about young people and the online environment, and how you can help them to be safe and responsible users of technology. 

For more information, visit www.thinkuknow.org.au.

*The presentation is not suitable for children due to the topics discussed.