ONLINE SAFETY

Did you know many of the social media platforms young people use today have age restrictions?  For example, most social media sites are for children over 13!

With the advancement in technology and students living in a much more automated and technology rich environment we think it is important to share some helpful tools and tips for parents that might help  supporting and keeping safe your child Online. 

SEVEN STEPS TO HELP YOU...

The seven steps from Netsafe’s 'Online Safety Parent Toolkit' are designed to enhance your digital parenting knowledge and have been developed with parents in mind.

1. Understand: Read about the potential online risks, challenges and sometimes illegal behaviour young people face to understand what may happen
2. Learn: Ask your child about what they do, how they use devices and who they talk to learn about their activities. Check in regularly to see what has changed
3. Explore: Take the time yourself to explore the sites, apps and technologies your child uses to improve your knowledge and understand their experience
4. Agree: Create a family code with your child to agree on what they can do online including sites to visit, appropriate behaviours, privacy settings and limits
5. Teach: Recognise each child has unique needs, but some online safety concepts are universal. Start by teaching yours the Five tips to help your child thrive
6. Model: Be a good example to your child. Make sure you role model the sort of behaviours you want to see your child use online and offline
7. Plan: Make a plan so everybody knows what to do if something goes wrong and where you will be able to get advice and support in challenging times

For more information around this follow the link Steps for Parents 

Below are some helpful advice sheets. Keep an eye out in further newsletters for more of these and in relation to various apps and programs.