Keeping children and young people safe online

COVID-19 has seen changes in the way children and young people engage with each other online and how children and young people engage in everyday settings like schools, libraries, sporting groups and in family, children and youth services. Services and programs are engaging with children and young people in new ways: through video conferences, online forums, webinars, social media platforms or over the phone.

The internet, social media platforms and cloud-based video conferencing like Zoom are great ways to socialise, learn, work, play and be entertained. But there are also risks including, grooming, sexual exploitation, cyber bullying, online risk taking behaviour, inappropriate collection, use and sharing of data as well as harmful and distressing content.

Below is important information for caregivers, children and young people to mitigate these risks and have safe and enjoyable experiences online.

Council is committed to the Child Safe Standards. Our organisation has zero tolerance for child abuse, and believes everyone child has the right to feel and be safe. To find out more about the work we are doing in this area, see Child Safety

Safety Resources

Caregivers and children under five

The eSafety Commissioner website is a great resource to learn about online safety and includes important information on the big issues including:

Children aged 6 to 12 years

  • eSafety Commissioner’s eSafety kids webpage is a great resource for children aged 6 to 12.
  • Child Protection Online with Sango storybooks, for children under 9, present six scenarios with questions about their rights and safety online.
  • The work with Sango workbooks aim to guide, advise and teach children aged 9 to 12 about their rights, risks and safety online.
  • Encourage children to follow the tips on how to be an eSafe kid.
  • Children and their caregiver(s) can make a complaint about cyberbullying to the eSafety Commissioner.

Young people aged 13 to 18 years

  • Learn about the latest games, apps and social media, including how to protect your information and report inappropriate content by visiting the eSafety Guide.
  • Find resources and targeted advice about online gaming is available for kidsyoung peopleparents and female gamers.
  • If you’re dating online, receiving unwanted nudes or being pressured into sending nudes, being trolled or bullied (including LGBTQI people), feeling concerned about your digital reputation or experiencing catfishing, access information about these topics and more.
  • You may be interested in engaging with Voices of Youth and joining their community, UNICEF's digital community FOR YOUTH, BY YOUTH. The website can be assessed in multiple languages including Arabic, French, Spanish and English.
  • The Net rules challenge is an online social media campaign for young people aged 13 to 18 years old that can help you learn how to manage risks online and support you in a safe and positive online experience.
  • The Think U Know, UK website has specific resources for young people aged 14 and over.

Want to learn more?

The e-safety Commissioner run free one hour webinars for parents on topics including, popular apps used by young people with case studies, research, and targeted advice on where to find help and support.

The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children. 

Parents and carers can also find out more in this fact sheet: Child Safe Standards