e-Learning
Online Safety - Advice for Parents
How do you keep your child safe online?
It should be a regular conversation between parents and their children, and the Australian Government has an eSafety site that contains up-to-date and important advice for parents, students and teachers. Below is an example of their work in this area, from esafety.gov.au/parents/skills-advice/online-safety-basics
Help your children safely navigate their digital world and educate them to avoid harmful online experiences. Explore websites, games, apps and social media together and set some rules. Your support and guidance can give your children the confidence to make sound decisions online — and to ask for help when they need it.
Three key strategies
1. Be engaged, open and supportive
Get involved. Share online time with your children as part of family life. Play games together. Talk about favourite apps, games or websites. Keep lines of communication open. Ask about their online experiences, who they are talking to and whether they are having any issues. Reassure your child they can always come to you, no matter what. Let them know you will not cut off internet access if they report feeling uncomfortable or unsafe when online — this is a real concern that may stop your child from communicating with you openly. If you notice a change in behaviour or mood, talk to your child about it. If you are concerned, consider seeking professional help — from your GP, a psychologist or school counsellor.
2. Set some rules
Set age-appropriate rules for devices and online access, with consequences for breaking them.
Seek your child’s input — this will help them understand risks. As they get older you can review your rules.
Consider creating a family online safety contract as a way to help you agree on the rules, and renegotiate it as required. The contract could cover the type of websites that can be visited, time spent online and acceptable online behaviour. This example from “ThinkUKnow Australia” can be a good starting point.
The consequences for breaking the rules should be clear and should mean something to your child. “Raising Children Network” has some useful tips and advice. Consider making some ‘rules for parents’ too — and stick to them! Model the behaviour that you would like to see in your children.
3. Use the available technology
Get to know the devices you and your children use and set them up for privacy and online safety. Take advantage of parental controls to monitor and control screen time and access to content in ways appropriate to your child’s age and experience. Choose apps and games carefully, taking age ratings and consumer advice into account. Check the App Store or Google Play, and for games, the Australian Classification Board’s online database. NetAware (UK) has a comprehensive guide to popular social media apps and games. The Australian Council on Children and the Media and Common Sense Media (US) both offer information about apps, games and websites searchable by age.
Please do not hesitate in contacting the College for advice. We work best when we work together.
Anthony Peck
eLearning Manager