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Keeping kids safe online

The internet is a big part of kids' lives – it's where they go to learn, play, socialise, and do whole bunch of other kid stuff we're not cool enough to understand.

But while the internet has a lot of goodness to offer, we know there are some potentially harmful things to look out for too. So we got together with some of the parents at Belong to get their advice on how they tackle things like screen time and online stranger danger.

Parental controls

Parental controls An easy place to start with online safety is parental controls, which are available at modem, device and app levels.

Our modem parental controls let you select devices on your network, then say which sites they can (or can't) visit, and times they can connect. To set restrictions on devices, try Apple's parental controls or Google's Family Link. Some apps also let you set specific controls for things like chatroom access and friend requests.

What parents in the Belong team say

  • Content filters

    We use Apple's content filter to check for inappropriate media across YouTube and web browsers.

  • Parental permission

    Our kids can't add anything to the device without checking with us first, and we create/own the accounts.

  • Fair rules

    When we set rules, like no devices in bedrooms and no socials till they're 16, we give them a clear, fair reason for it.

  • Explaining the dangers

    We discuss predatory behaviour and explain that not everyone is who they say they are online.

  • Talking it through

    We cover more mature topics proactively so our kids don't go looking for answers online, and finding inappropriate content.

  • Oversight

    All browsers use the one Google account so we can check search history (which can't be deleted from kids' devices).

Protecting your kids from strangers

From behind a computer, it's easy to pretend to be someone you're not. If your child is talking to someone they don't know in real life, tell them to be wary of questions like "Are you in your bedroom?" and "Do you talk to your parents about what you do online?". These questions are often used by predators to find children who won't tell their parents about their interactions.

ThinkUKnow is an organisation that partners with the Australian Federal Police to deliver education programs for parents. Their website has resources like case studies, reports made to the police and examples of online predatory behaviour.

ThinkUKnow.org.au

Knowing the basics

There are a few tips that never go out of fashion when it comes to staying safe online – and they apply to everyone.

  1. Don't share personal info like your number, address or school.

  2. Don't discuss personal things with people you don't know in real life.

  3. Don't share your password with anyone except your parents or legal guardians.

  4. Limit who has access to the photos you post online, and be aware that things can spread far beyond the place you post it.

  5. Don't share photos with someone privately that you wouldn't be comfortable sharing with everyone.