Cybersafety for Kids
One of the greatest challenges as a parent/carer is navigating through the decision to purchase a mobile device and then allowing children to have social media apps and platforms. We are seeing an increasing number of students wearing smart watches, bringing mobile phones to school and personal devices. We are constantly teaching our students about the safe and responsible use of technology and social media.
There is some good information and resources that you can use at home to reinforce these messages with your son or daughter on this website: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/resources
Some common questions asked by parents and carers from the website:
Q: When should a child start using Facebook, Instagram, etc?
A: The minimum age recommendation is 13 years, but children mature at different rates so make a judgment based on their maturity, anxiety and ability to navigate these apps. Remember you will have no control over what they may be exposed to and who they can talk to and what they send to others.
Q: Any thoughts on Apple vs Android devices from a security perspective? I've heard Android is better for parental control?
A: They are both very similar. It’s a personal preference.
Q: Are Robolox and Minecraft safe games to use? They have chat, but it seems pretty anonymous, and I don’t think they can’t send photos?
A: Depends on the age of the child and the version of Minecraft you are using. You can turn the chat function off. Make sure you have a chat with them if they are younger to speak up if anyone ever asks them to be their boyfriend/girlfriend or tries to move them to another platform for example Snapchat to Tik Tok.
Q: What are parental controls?
Parental controls are software tools that allow you to monitor and limit what your child sees and does online.
They can be set up to do things like:
Block your child from accessing specific websites, apps or functions (like using a device’s camera, or the ability to buy things).
Filter different kinds of content — such as ‘adult’ or sexual content, content that may promote self-harm, eating disorders, violence, drugs, gambling, racism and terrorism.
Allow you to monitor your child’s use of connected devices, with reports on the sites they visit and the apps they use, how often and for how long.
Set time limits, blocking access after a set time.
If a device or program is shared by multiple members of your family, you should be able change the tool settings to reflect each user’s age and skills.
Q: Can I set up parental controls?
Yes, you can see a list below on how to do this:
on your home wi-fi network
built into devices, including computers, mobile devices, gaming consoles and smart TVs
through third-party software
in apps and programs, including streaming services, web browsers and search engines
Q: How risky is Snapchat ?
A: All apps are risky if the user doesn’t know how to use them safely. It depends on the age of the child and making sure that you have our top ten safety tips in place to start!
We’ve prepared a video for kids to help them understand some of the simple dos and don’ts when socialising online.
