Protecting Your Family In The Digital World

More and more society dwells in a digital world.

Spending time in that digital world has become necessary for work and education, not to mention social interaction.

Unfortunately, as in the flesh-and-blood realm, there are dangers to navigate when online.

The eSafety Commission has made new resources available to help parents and carers from all backgrounds protect all members of their families.

Online Safety for Every Family is a package of animated videos and advice sheets addressing a range of common challenges, with topics including social media, gaming, online bullying and general online safety.

The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant said a very broad range of online skills could be seen across the community, including among those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

“Increasingly, parents and carers have a high level of digital literacy, but we are also aware some may feel a divide between themselves and their children when it comes to technology,” Ms Inman Grant said.

“We have created these resources to help bridge that divide and ensure everyone can be confident helping their children learn and play safely online.”

The package was designed to help parents begin a conversation with their children about online safety and build the confidence to support more positive experiences.

It includes links and information to help if something goes wrong.

Ms Inman Grant said research from eSafety showed half of the children surveyed in 2021 had been treated in a hurtful or nasty way online in the past year, one in ten had been the target of hate speech and 55 per cent had been in contact with someone they first met online.

“It also shows that parents and carers tend to underestimate the prevalence and impact of potentially negative experiences online,” she said.

“At eSafety, we are working to improve the online environment in a range of ways, including through our work with tech companies to boost safety and transparency across the industry. “However, it is important to recognise the huge contribution parents can make in their own children’s lives.

“Equipped with the right information, they can play a positive and proactive role ensuring children remain happy and healthy online.

Head to esafety.gov.au/parents/parent-resources/online-safety-for-every-family to download the package in English, simplified Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese, Tamil and Dari.

Report instances of cyberbullying or online abuse at esafety.gov.au/report.

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