Below are some great resources for assisting parents with students staying safe online.
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner has a range of age-appropriate online information and related links to support parents in the education of themselves and their children. This is a great place to start. https://esafety.gov.au/about-the-office
iParent is where parents can learn about the digital environment and keep updated on their children’s technology use. Parents can find guidance for using safety settings on their family’s web-connected devices, tips for choosing movies and games and strategies for keeping young people safe online. https://esafety.gov.au/education-resources/iparent
Other useful sites are listed below;
1. Start with an “Acceptable Use” Agreement
Children can’t know all there is to know about their responsibilities and the behaviour expected of them without some guidance. Before you give them access to the internet or to a mobile phone, it’s important to talk to them and provide clear rules to ensure they are being smart, safe and responsible online.
2. Talk privacy and security
As a family it’s good to discuss these issues regularly. Cover topics such as how many online friends is appropriate, what kind of information is ok to share online and why meeting up with someone you meet on the internet is not advisable.
3. Set safe search and security controls
Find out how to set security and privacy settings, password protect devices, and limit the kinds of content your children can search for by applying ISP level and protection software parental filters. Turn off Bluetooth, geo-locators etc. on your children’s devices and explain why leaving these on is not a good idea.
4. For younger children, insist on computers being used in the home’s public areas
Even if you aren’t constantly looking over their shoulder, it’s good for children to know that you easily could help limit the opportunities for them to search for inappropriate content, or to make poor judgements online.
5. New lights out is Wi-Fi off and mobile devices charging in a central place
It’s tempting for kids to keep using their devices through the night, but a lot of bullying and other poor behaviour happens late at night. It’s good family policy to turn the WiFi off after a certain time each night. Similarly, make it a rule for the whole family to surrender all their devices to a central overnight charging spot – adults too. The kids will comply more readily if they see that this is an expectation of everyone.
6. Mobile plans and internet download limits
Help your child understand the impact, and costs, of over-use and help them to know how to keep track of their usage. Set limits.
7. The importance of keeping software updates up-to-date
Teach your children the importance of downloading the updates to their software – not just their virus protection updates, but all software updates – but also teach them to ask you first. And yes, you should always read the terms and conditions.
8. Teach your child to check links in emails carefully and beware of fake URLs
Some emails and links are more obviously scams than others, but lots of people make the mistake of clicking on something that has malware in it. Learn how to tell when it is safe to open an email or link.
9. Researching online
Help your child understand that not everything online can be trusted as credible or appropriate. Guide them to some good internet search tips and search engine features.
10. Downloading videos, images and music
Downloading of videos, images and music is illegal unless express permission is granted. Teach your children about the risks of peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing sites – they are virus incubators – and there is a high likelihood of your computer crashing (or slowing down). Use legal file-sharing services to avoid the drama.
11. Get involved
Get involved in the efforts of your child’s school to raise awareness of cybersafety and bullying issues. Show interest in what your child is doing online. Ask them about their online social networks and what the issues are from their point of view. This will help you identify if you need to offer extra support at any time.
12. Have a plan for if your child is being (cyber) bullied
It’s important to talk about the possibility of bullying – both off line and on. Find out what your child’s school anti-bullying policies and procedures are and discuss these – let your child know there are clear steps to take and that it’s ok to report it.
13. Make a formal report
If your child is feeling threatened or seen something that’s disturbing – you will feel better if you start to take positive action. Show your child how to report and block – use these resources to help you.
