Here are some things we should do to protect our kids online.

Tips for Parents

One way to help your children have a positive online experience is to educate them about the risks associated with browsing the web. Then, you should supervise your children online as much as possible. You can do this – and encourage family involvement – by having the computer in a public area of the home.

Some other guidelines that could help protect your children online include:
• Not giving out personal information to anyone online, including giving out their email address or any passwords.
• Involving you when they want to meet anyone who they have only met online.
• Not filling in forms or agreeing to any contracts, agreements or downloads of any kind without your involvement.
• Not opening emails from addresses they don’t recognise. By responding, the email address will be verified to the sender as a valid email address and this can lead to further unsolicited emails being sent.

Download PDF: ‘How to become a super Internet parent’

Tips for Kids

The ACMA’s Rules for Kids can be used to help educate children about what to do and what not to do online. You can find these rules at www.cybersmartkids.com.au/cybersmartkids/cyberrules.html. This is part of larger ACMA site for children, called Cybersmart Kids Online, which you can visit (with your kids) at www.cybersmartkids.com.au.

Know the safer places for your children to go on the Internet, particularly for young children

For children 6-12 years, try SuperClubsPLUS. This is an Australian social learning site for children, created by experts in education and cyber safety. All children are age-verified and are actively protected by online mediators - constantly. Visit www.superclubsplus.com.au

Other things you should know

Newsgroups and Chat Rooms

Newsgroups are like online noticeboards, where you can post, read and exchange messages about a particular topic of interest. Chat rooms let people communicate across borders and time zones about a wide range of topics. Chat is real-time text-based communication across the Internet.

Both newsgroups and chat rooms can involve communicating with total strangers. So children should be educated about appropriate behaviour in these environments, and especially about the dangers of providing personal information.

Internet Content Filtering

There is software available which can complement parental supervision of children’ online time. Internet content filters can automatically block access to unsuitable websites, chat rooms and newsgroups, as well as particular search engine results.

Filters can block access to websites based on a list of banned sites (black list) or on a list of acceptable websites (white lists). They can operate on your home computer or through your ISP. Some filters can even help control the time your child spends online.

But it’s important to remember that filters will never be foolproof, and are no substitute for parental supervision.

Different filters may also categorise websites differently. Unlike film and video classifications, there are no set standards and the classifications may not reflect Australian cultural values.

All ISPs in Australia are required to provide an Internet Content filter approved by the ACMA and listed on the Internet Industry Association’s Code of Practice. For more information on the range of Internet Content filter solutions available see http://www.iia.net.au/codes.html

You can use your web browser (Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape) to limit Internet access, and filtering software is available from provider’s websites, computer shops and department stores.

BigPond is also proud to be able to offer you the opportunity to buy Net Nanny, a leading Internet filtering software package approved under the IIA Codes of Practice, at a discounted price. You can learn more about this offer here.

Useful links for cyber safety

The following links provide further information on safe surfing for children and frequently asked questions.
www.cybersmartkids.com.au
www.netalert.net.au
www.superclubsplus.com.au

How to make a complaint to the ACMA

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has set up an Online Hotline to address community concerns about Internet content. The ACMA investigates complaints about Internet content. And, if the content is found to be prohibited, will take steps to have it removed or access-filtered.
If you’d like to know more, or you want to access the online hotline complaints form, visit http://www.acma.gov.au