As many of you know, our children are growing up in a world where it is increasingly important to help your child to safely navigate their digital world and educate them to avoid harmful online experiences

Your support and guidance can give your children the confidence to make sound decisions online ― and ask for help when they need it.

The eSafety Commissioner website is an excellent website with advice for parents and carers to help children have safe experiences online.     https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

eSafety recommendations for kids aged 5 to 12: from website link above

Keep the computer or device in an area of your home that can be supervised. And check in regularly with your child to see what they are viewing.

Stay engaged with their online activity. If they agree, consider setting up your own accounts with the sites they use most so you can see how they work and understand the risks.

Explore the online world with them to help establish that this is not just a solitary activity. Play games with them. Do a creative project together.

Think about social media readiness. Most social media sites require users to be at least 13 years of age before they can register, although some sites are created especially for children under 13. See are they old enough?

Encourage respect and empathy. Teach them to avoid sharing or posting things that may upset others. See good habits start young.

Start building resilience. Teach your child that there are ways they can deal with material that worries or frightens them. This includes immediately telling you or another trusted adult of any concerns or uncomfortable material. See good habits start young.

Encourage them to learn about online safety by exploring the kids section of this site.

Review your rules as your child grows older

Be clear about how much time they can spend online, the apps they can use, the websites they can visit and what they can share or post online.

Refer to our advice about time online and online gaming if these are of concern.

Technology tips for parents of kids 5 to 12

Ensure your own devices are protected by a password or pin, so your child cannot accidentally come across inappropriate content.

If you are thinking about giving them their own tablet or smartphone, check out are they old enough?

Use parental control tools appropriate for the age and experience of your child.  Be upfront about this and get your child on board. Let them know that these can be reviewed and changed as they get older and they continue to demonstrate responsible behaviour. Consider installing a ‘child-friendly’ search engine that will allow them to explore a limited number of sites. See taming the technology.

Check out Raising Children Network’s healthy screen time and quality media choices: 6-11 years.