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 ask for help when they need it.

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.
Get your child’s input — this will help them understand risks. As they get older you can review your rules together.
Consider creating a family tech agreement (sometimes called a family media plan or family online safety agreement). This is a set of rules about how devices, like smartphones, tablets, computers, TVs and gaming consoles are used in your home. It is written down and agreed to by all family members and kept in a place where everyone can see it, such as on the fridge.
Your family tech agreement could cover the type of websites that can be visited, time spent online and acceptable online behaviour.
eSafety has created downloadable family tech agreement templates for families with children under 5 or those with kids aged 5 to 8 years. For families with older children, The Family Online Safety Contract from ThinkUKnowExternal link Australia is a good starting point.
The consequences for breaking the rules should be clear. Negotiate these with your child when you create your agreement so they mean something to them – Raising Children NetworkExternal link has some useful tips and advice.
Consider making some ‘rules for parents’ too and stick to them! Model behaviour that you would like to see.

3. Use technology and get information

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, based on your child’s age and experience. See our guide to parental controls.
Choose apps and games carefully and visit the App Store or Google Play for age ratings and consumer advice. Read the Australian Classification Board’s online databaseExternal link for information about movies and games.
You can visit Children and Media AustraliaExternal link and Common Sense Media (US)External link for information about apps, games and websites searchable by age.

Kids 5-12

As children start to navigate the online world and interact with others more independently, they are more likely to be exposed to risks of bullying or unwanted contact, accidentally coming across inappropriate content or racking up bills through in-app purchases.

Your guidance can help them be aware of the risks and understand what is expected of them. Let them know you are always there to support them.

Advice for parents and carers

Keep the computer or device in an area of your home that can be supervised. And check in regularly with your child to see what they are viewing.
Stay engaged with their online activity. If they agree, consider setting up your own accounts with the sites they use most so you can see how they work and understand the risks.
Explore the online world with them to help establish that this is not just a solitary activity. Play games with them. Do a creative project together.
Think about social media readiness. Most social media sites require users to be at least 13 years of age before they can register, although some sites are created especially for children under 13. See are they old enough?
Encourage respect and empathy. Teach them to avoid sharing or posting things that may upset others. See good habits start young.
Start building resilience. Teach your child that there are ways they can deal with material that worries or frightens them. This includes immediately telling you or another trusted adult of any concerns or uncomfortable material. See good habits start young.
Encourage them to learn about online safety by exploring the kids section of this site.

Review your rules as your child grows older

Be clear about how much time they can spend online, the apps they can use, the websites they can visit and what they can share or post online.
Refer to our advice about screen time and online gaming if these are of concern.

Technology tips for parents of kids 5 to 12

Ensure your own devices are protected by a password or pin, so your child cannot accidentally come across inappropriate content.
If you are thinking about giving them their own tablet or smartphone, check out are they old enough?
Use parental control tools appropriate for the age and experience of your child. Be upfront and get your child on board. Let them know that these can be reviewed and changed as they get older and they continue to demonstrate responsible behaviour. Consider installing a ‘child-friendly’ search engine that will allow them to explore a limited number of sites. See parental controls.
Check out Raising Children NetworkExternal link's healthy screen time and quality media choices: 6-11 years.

Information taken from the eSafety website:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice/online-safety-basics

SWPB