Safety online is of utmost importance as our students experience the changes that are happening day by day with technology. Last Tuesday was Safer Internet Day, this year’s theme was “Together for a better internet” This week we would encourage all families to start the conversion with their children about being safe online. It is never too early to begin the chat. Recent statistics from the eSafety website https://www.esafety.gov.au states that 81% of parents with pre-schoolers say their children use the internet. Of these parents, 94% report that their child was using the internet by the age of 4. This might be via a tablet or iPad (92%), a smartphone (85%) or a computer (83%).  

The following questions from the eSafety website are a good starting point to start the discussion:

• Does your child understand how privacy settings for social media work?
• Does your child understand what is safe to share online?
• Does your child understand the importance of protecting their personal information?

The most recent app that is being discussed and used by primary age students is TikTok. Many of the apps students are using are restricted to thirteen years and over. To learn more about the latest games, apps and social media, including how to protect information and report inappropriate content visit the parent eSafety guide.

The following eSafety pages are designed to assist everyone to be safe when they are online:.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/kids/be-an-esafe-kid

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/skills-advice/online-safety-basics

https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide