eSafety

Be smart, safe and secure when choosing tech gifts for children and young people.

Every year, eSafety publishes a Gift Guide to support parents and carers with insights and advice on the latest trends and technology. The guide is a a valuable resource to help you make informed and safe tech choices if you are considering such gifts for children and young people.

The Gift Guide is centred around practical steps to minimise harm for our children. 

Areas covered in the Guide include:

• Gaming: Gifts, Memberships, Virtual Currency and Headsets - learn about key features and safety considerations.
• Smart Toy Gifts: Drones, Robotic Toys, and Smart Toys - get insights into age-appropriate smart toys.
• Immersive Tech Gifts: Virtual Reality and Haptics - navigate the world of immersive technology with safety in mind.
• Smart Device Gifts: Smartphones, Tablets and Wearables -  learn about the features that ensure a secure and educational experience.

Here are some guidelines to have in mind for safe tech use with your children at home:

• Check Game Classifications: Even if an age range is not specified, check the game's classification to ensure it's suitable for your child.
• Establish Rules: Set clear rules with your children regarding screen time limits and the sharing of personal information.
• Get Involved: Play the games yourself to better understand your child's digital world.
• Protect Personal Information: Remind your children about the importance of safeguarding personal information online.
• Privacy Settings: Regularly check and adjust privacy settings on devices and apps.
• Stay Engaged: Remain involved in your child's online activities and let them know that you're there to support them if anything goes wrong.

At St Anthony’s we recommend that children do not bring mobile phones / devices to school with parents being asked to contact the school office if a message is to be passed on to their child. If there is a need for a child to have a mobile phone the parents are requested to advise the staff in writing and the mobile phone must be turned off during school hours and handed to the class teacher for safekeeping. Smart watches are not recommended to be worn and must not have access to the internet or mobile data when at school.

You can view the eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, speaking on Channel 7's Sunrise program here: E-Safety's commissioner's tips for safe tech Christmas gifts for kids

Loretto Campbell

Digital Technologies