The AFP is releasing age appropriate conversations about online safety for kids aged from between five years old and 12 years old, and 13 years old and over.

The AFP is urging parents and carers to provide one of the most important life lessons to their children even before they start the 2024 school year – how to stay safe online.

Data shows just over half of parents and carers regularly discuss online safety at home but almost all children regularly use technology for educational purposes or entertainment.

Unsupervised access

Research conducted by the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) reveals 87 per cent of children aged between four and seven years old are using the internet, and 16 per cent of those are unsupervised.

Only three per cent of participants who participated in the research listed online grooming as a concern.

The AFP-led ThinkUKnow program has released a range of age-based tips and content to help parents and carers keep children and young people safe online across all stages of development.

Children and young people may use smart devices such as tablets for educational purposes, watching videos, playing games and social interaction.

Children and young people can readily access the internet and technology in public places, schools and at home.

AFP Commander Helen Schneider said parents and carers needed to begin regular conversations with their children about online safety during early childhood to help children and young people understand the challenges they may face online and how to get help and support.

Have the talk

“We are urging families to ‘have the talk – the online child safety talk’ this year,” Commander Schneider said.

“We know about 52 per cent of parents and carers talk to their children about online safety, which includes topics like online grooming and inappropriate contact online, but we are aiming to increase this in 2024.

“The AFP is urging everyone to continue the chat throughout their child’s development and stages of life to ensure they are protected every step of the way.”

Commander Schneider said the ACCCE had received reports involving young children being able to access social networking, live streaming and instant messaging online.

“We have developed a range of age-appropriate resources through ThinkUKnow that help parents and carers navigate these conversations with their children, covering a range of online activities from video and image sharing, instant messaging and online gaming, along with using social media in a safe way,” Commander Schneider said.

“ThinkUKnow is about providing Australians with the tools they need and empowering them to keep our community’s most vulnerable – our children – safe online.”

ThinkUKnow provides factsheets, videos, presentations, guides, children’s picture book Jack Changes the Game, home learning and family activities to help with these discussions including the following:

Under five years old

It is never too early to start teaching your child about online safety.

Have these conversations as early as possible in an age-appropriate way.

• Children in this age group are likely to be playing games and watching videos online.
• Introduce and talk about what the internet is, and how it allows us to connect with other people.
• “My phone is connected to the internet and I can send a photo from my phone to grandpa’s phone”
• Supervision online is always recommended for young children. This looks different for every family, but it is important to be aware of what your child is doing online in case they need your help.
• Implement strong privacy settings and consider parental controls on the devices your child uses. This can give you more control over what they do online, and limit the possibility of interaction with others.
• Encourage your child to go to you if they see anything online that makes them scared or uncomfortable.