Cyber Safety

Many years ago - before YouTube, Facebook, and all the other online platforms - we watched cartoons together on the family-room television. Back then, TV was tightly regulated. There were strict rules about what advertisements could appear during children’s programs.

Fast forward to the 21st century, and now most of us have iPads or similar devices with instant access to almost anything imaginable. This access can be wonderful: it helps us stay connected with family and friends, explore new hobbies, and even learn new languages. But it also brings risks.

A human brain isn’t fully developed until around age 25. This means children, whose brains are still developing, are especially vulnerable to what they see online. With far fewer regulations controlling what they can access, it becomes our responsibility to communicate openly with them and set age‑appropriate boundaries. This might include keeping iPads out of bedrooms or setting limits on daily screen time.

For more guidance and tips on keeping children safe online, please visit:

https://www.police.vic.gov.au › online-child-safety

Parental Controls

Parental controls can also be used to support your family's online safety when using devices that connect to the internet, such as phones, laptops, tablets, gaming consoles and smart TVs. But it's important to understand their limitations and use them in combination with other protective strategies.

To find out more, visit the site of the eSafety Commission