Protect your children

The internet offers an exciting world of experiences for children and the whole family. It can be entertaining, educational and rewarding. However, using the internet also involves risks and challenges.

Children might be exposed to content that is sexually explicit, violent, prohibited or even illegal. They may also experience cyber bullying or be at risk from contact by strangers.

Children may - unknowingly or deliberately - share personal information without realising they may be subject to identity theft, or that they are leaving behind content that might not reflect well on them in the future.

By taking an active role in talking with you kids about the risks and answering their questions or concerns about something that they find on the Internet you can help them stay safer online.

Understanding the risks

Sexual predators

When you meet someone in person it is easier to be certain that the person you are talking with is who they say they are or is at least the same age and gender as they say. This is more difficult on the internet. It is easy to create a fake profile online.

Children tend to be more naïve and trusting and are more likely to fall prey to strangers posing as children their own age.

Sexual predators frequent chat rooms looking for children to target. They develop a friendship and may spend months "grooming" a child towards sharing information, photographs or meeting up.

Talk to your children about the risks and what to be wary off. Help them to feel comfortable talking to you about their online friends and encourage them to tell you if anyone asks them for photographs or to meet them in person, particularly it you don't know them or haven't met them or their parents before.

Inappropriate content

There is a lot of material on the Internet that is inappropriate, particularly for children. There are a number of things you can do to help prevent your children inadvertently on intentionally accessing this content.

Internet content filters are a valuable tool for managing your children's access to online material and activities that you believe are harmful. They can be used to help filter offensive web content and can be individually set for different members of your family. Some internet content filters can set time limits for online use as well as help you monitor the online activities of your children.

While you can use filtering software to restrict the type of websites your children can access, they will not stop everything. Taking an active role in talking with your kids about the risks, answering their questions or concerns and being present will encourage them to come to you if they do come across an inappropriate site.

Having the computer in a common area, like the family room or the kitchen will make it easier for you to monitor their use of the internet without having to be looking over their shoulder.

Cyber-bullying

Mobile phones and the internet provide an easy and often anonymous way for kids to bully and intimidate other children or to circulate hurtful gossip or embarrassing photos or video. While bullying used to be restricted to contact at school SMS, email, instant messaging and chat rooms can be used to reach children anywhere including at home.

• Talk to your children and encourage them to let you know if they feel bullied or intimidated. Ignoring the problem won't make it go away, and there are steps that they can take to address the cyber-bullying. What is most important is that they tell someone.
• As in the real world, encourage them not to respond when someone is being aggressive or hurtful online. This can only make it worse.
• If someone is posting anything about your child online, especially personal information, contact your Internet Service Provider. Most likely your provider can have the information removed.
• Report cyber-bullying to your child's school. If you have serious concerns for your child's safety, contact your local police.

Protecting personal information and privacy

If you are allowing your children to communicate with others online talk to them about how important it is that they keep personal information private. Encourage them not to give out their or your e-mail address.

• If they have their own email or other online accounts make sure that they have a strong username and password that doesn't reveal anything personal. For example the user name 'Katy1998' could reveal name, gender and age.
• Educate your children about managing spam. Encourage them to delete any messages they get from anyone they don't know.
• Ensure your anti-virus and anti-spyware software is up to date.

If your children tell you that they have given out personal information online, contact your Internet Service Provider or the site where the information is posted to see what you can do to have it removed.

Steps for you to protect your children online

Here are some basic steps for you to protect your children online:

• block inappropriate content
• increase your online security and privacy
• set up your computer to only access approved websites and email addresses
• monitor where your children go online

Here are some additional steps for you to protect your children online:

• explore the internet with your children - consider using safe zones and exploring child-friendly websites. Bookmark websites for them that you have approved
• discuss the kinds of sites that are okay to explore, and those that are not. Let your children know that not all websites are suitable and if they encounter a site that makes them feel uncomfortable, they should leave the site immediately, either by clicking on 'back' or closing the browser altogether
• reassure your children that they won't be denied access to the internet if they report seeing inappropriate content
• monitor and supervise internet use by having the computer in a visible place in your home
• for older children, consider tools that filter access to chat rooms and prevent giving out personal information
• check to see if your ISP is Family Friendly by looking for a lady bird logo on their website. These ISPs must adhere to the Internet Industry Association codes of practice. They offer information and online tools to help parents and children use the internet in a fun and safe way.

The Internet Industry Association (IIA) has compiled a list of filters called the Family Friendly Filters. These filters have undergone rigorous independent testing, and can be effective tools in applying parental controls to the online content your child can access. This list of Family Friendly Filters is available on the IIA website.

• Family Friendly Filters 2012

Further information on cybersafety tools for blocking unwanted online content is available below.

• Cybersafety tools (PDF, 973 KB)
• Cybersafety tools (RTF, 2 MB)

Where to get help

For more information about online safety targeted to young people, parents and teachers, visit the Cybersmart website at www.cybersmart.gov.au or call the Cybersafety Contact Centre at 1800880176.

Report abuse or suspicious activity through the ThinkUKnow website. If you know about a child who is in immediate danger or risk, call 000, Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or your local police station.

If you have come across content which you believe to be illegal or prohibited, you can report it to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) via their online form.

For support you can also contact:

• Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800
• LifeLine 13 11 14