Today is Safer Internet Day. This is a day of bringing awareness to keep ourselves, our families and our children safer online. The internet has enabled kids to learn, share and create more easily. Technology is all around us and it is a wonderful tool to help us connect, engage and learn. It is so important that we take the time to ensure that we help our children know how to engage online in a safe and healthy way. It has become vital to instil safe and secure behaviours early, so children learn how to identify threats and mitigate against them.
Tips for families:
- Model a healthy relationship with technology: monitor your own use around your children
- Take the time to set up parental controls on tablets/iPad/mobile phones and laptops
- Take age use limits for apps and games seriously – they are there to protect your children
- Take a look at the Parents | eSafety Commissioner site and explore the different resources available, including parent webinars
- Talk with your children about online safety – get involved in their online experience and check in on their use, and who they are connecting with. The E-Safety Commission Online Safety Basics is a great place to start!
- Always supervise your child’s online activity
- Balance screen time with physical activities
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) Kids Cyber Security Checklist provides simple tips for primary school-aged children about the basic cybersecurity steps to stay secure online. The ACSC’s Kids Cyber Security Checklist includes:
Step 1. Update your device
Step 2. Turn on multi-factor authentication
Step 3: Back up your device
Step 4: Use a passphrase
Passphrase uses four or more random words as your password. For example, ‘purple duck boat sky’.
Step 5: Recognise and report scams
If you receive a fishy email or message, report it to Scamwatch straight away. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
For more tips and measures visit cyber security kids.
Written by our Safeguarding Team