1. Use strong passwords
- Help your child make passwords that are hard to guess
- Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols
- Never share passwords with friends
- Use different passwords for different accounts
Protecting your child’s identity online: A simple guide for parents.
Key takeaways
- Protect your child by keeping their personal information private.
- Learn about social media platforms, privacy settings and steps to keep them safe.
- Talk to your child about privacy and how to protect it online.
Privacy means keeping your personal information safe. This includes things like:
- Your name and age
- Where you live
- Your phone number
- Your email address
- Photos of you or your family
- Your school
When this information gets shared online, it stays there for a very long time - sometimes forever! This is called a "digital footprint".
Everything you share online adds to your digital footprint. You can read more about content sharing in this eSafety guide. Content sharing | eSafety Commissioner
These days, kids spend a lot of time online for learning, playing, and talking with friends.
It's important to know what platforms they're using, especially social media, and the settings that can help protect them.
The The eSafety Guide explains how to protect your personal information and report harmful content on common social media, games, apps and sites.
Tip
You can use the eSafety app readiness PDF checklist to see if your child is ready for a particular app
Simple steps to keep your kids safe online
2. Make devices safe
- Put password locks on phones and tablets
- Only download apps from trusted places (like the App Store or Google Play)
- Turn off location sharing when it's not needed
- Know what apps your kids are using
3. Check privacy settings
- Set up privacy controls before letting kids use new apps
- Look at privacy settings together with your kids
- Check these settings regularly, like when school starts
- Make sure you know who can see what your kids post
4. Be careful with personal information
- Think twice before sharing photos of your kids online
- Ask yourself: "Would I want strangers to see this?"
- Remember that companies can use this information for advertising
- Help your kids understand what's okay to share and what isn't
How to talk to your kids about online safety.
Start by having a simple talk with your kids about privacy.
eSafety also suggests:
- exploring the online world together
- involving your child in any decisions about sharing photos or videos of them
- and for older kids, reminding them to think, before they post.
For more tips, explore eSafety's Privacy and your child guide.
Where to Get Help
If something goes wrong online, don't panic! There's always help available:
- Talk to your child's school
- Visit esafety.gov.au/report to report bullying or harmful content
- Go to IDCARE.org if you're worried about identity theft
- Report privacy concerns to oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-complaints
Tip
Mental wellbeing is important and there are trusted resources available for families. with links and phone numbers to keep on hand.
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