Living in the digital age can be extremely beneficial for kids, especially when it comes to learning, being creative, or simply staying connected with their friends. However, it is not without its risks.

The internet can pose significant dangers for young people. This includes exposure to inappropriate content such as pornography, hate speech or snuff videos, potential contact with online predators who may have harmful intentions, and cyberbullying. Other threats children might face are exposure to scams and viruses, the sharing of personal information, and the creation of a permanent digital footprint. 

For parents, this is a significant concern, and many want clear, simple guidance on how they can keep their kids safe online. To provide them with it, this guide highlights some practical tips and tools to help families embrace safe internet habits that still let kids be kids.

Why Your Child’s Online Safety Matters More Than Ever

If you examine the statistics of children’s online experiences in Australia, they are actually quite frightening. According to research by the eSafety Commissioner and Australian Human Rights Commission:

• 53% had been subjected to cyberbullying.
• 60% had seen or heard online hate.
• 30% had been contacted by a stranger.
• 27% had personally experienced it.
• 25% had experienced non-consensual monitoring, tracking, or harassment.

Additionally, the AFP-led ACCCE (Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation) recently reported that instances of online child exploitation rose by 45% in the past financial year. If your child has been affected by such behaviour, Astor Legal sexual assault lawyers can help parents understand their rights and provide guidance on prosecution and further protecting their children.

When you dig a little deeper, you’ll see that the prevalence of online harms varies by gender and age. Typically, teens, trans and gender-diverse children are more at risk of encountering online harms than others.

Practical Online Safety Tips for Parents

As parents, it is our duty to protect our kids from online threats without inhibiting their use of technology. The best way to do this is to establish clear usage rules, engage in supportive conversations, and provide a safe environment where children can enjoy the digital world without fear.

Start by laying out some simple rules. This might involve deciding where devices can be used, and making sure children keep screens in open areas during homework or playtime. Many parents find that randomly checking in with their children also works well. So, you may want to periodically ask your kids about the apps they love and what they’re doing online.

It is always a good idea to build safe internet habits from an early age. This should involve showing your child how to recognise pop-ups, scams, or suspicious links and impressing upon them the need to keep personal information private. In particular, explain that they should never share photos, school names, or locations with anyone online.

Most importantly, make sure you encourage open conversations. Kids need to feel comfortable coming to you if something online makes them uneasy. They shouldn’t be afraid of what your reaction might be. By having regular chats with them, you will help your kids to learn how to recognise online boundaries and develop digital wellbeing skills that will carry them through their teenage years.

How to Set Age-Appropriate Digital Boundaries

Clearly, kids of different ages will need different levels of support. For instance, younger children will benefit more if you keep screen time short and supervise their use. You should also oversee what age-appropriate apps they download and even explore them together. Additionally, if they are playing games such as Roblox, Minecraft, or Animal Jam, make sure they turn off chat settings in the game or on the platform that connects players.

For older kids and tweens, it is perhaps more important to focus on teaching them responsibility. Show them how privacy settings work, and discuss what behaviour is acceptable and what is best avoided online. The more they feel they have input on the family rules for internet use, the more likely they are to adhere to them.

Teens arguably need the most guidance. Therefore, it is important to help them improve their emotional intelligence. Additionally, talk to them about social media, friendships, and any potential online pressures they may face. Also, make sure you encourage them to think before posting and regularly remind them that their digital footprint stays with them for years.

Protecting Children on Social Media and Messaging Apps

Social media can be a tricky space for young people to navigate. Understandably, they will want to stay in touch with friends, join in on trends and keep up with the gossip. However, parents will want them to do this in the safest way possible, while still respecting their privacy.

One way parents can ensure this is by regularly checking the privacy settings on their devices. As a general rule, it is advisable that kids have locked accounts. However, some platforms change their settings on a regular basis, and sometimes the default might be unlocked. Therefore, it’s worth a quick update every few months.

You should also encourage your children not to overshare, even with their close friends. At the same time, impress upon them the need to never post their location, school uniforms, or personal details that can be used against them.

Finally, talk to them about red flags. Let them know that if someone asks them for photos or personal information, this is not appropriate. Encourage them to come to you for support in dealing with the situation.

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong Online

Unfortunately, even with strong safety habits, regrettable things can still happen. Therefore, if your child sees something upsetting or receives a strange message, it is important to stay calm, listen, and remain rational.

Make sure you take screenshots of any photos or messages sent to them and report both the content and the user to the platform. You should also ask your child to block anyone who is causing them harm or constant distress and support them with reassurance, to make sure they feel safe with you and heard.

If the issue is a serious one, here are some steps you can take to deal with the situation in the most appropriate manner.