For the rest of the year, we will have a segment in the newsletter looking at being smart online and how as whānau, you can support it. Netsafe recommends seven steps to enhance digital parenting knowledge and reinforce the key online safety concepts.

Step 3 Explore the Technology

Explore the websites, apps and technology your child uses. This will not only improve your knowledge, it also gives you a greater understanding of the challenges they could face. Don’t ignore new technologies as young people will use them – if not at home then at their friends’ houses or at school.

Ask your child to show you how their favourite website or device works as a way to start an online safety conversation. Ask them to explain how they keep themselves safe, what features they use and how they protect their identity.

Make sure you also take the time to read terms and conditions. They explain how old someone should be before using the service and what happens to the information your child provides.

As a start, check out our guide to Snapchat for parents.