NT Police are urging parents and carers to speak to children about online safety.
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With the recent introduction of COVID-19 measures including physical distancing, it is understandable that many children will seek to maintain social connections through online platforms.
While maintaining social connections is important, the increase in online activity also provides a greater opportunity for predators to prey on children.
Parents and carers remain our first line of defence in keeping children safe online. By teaching children how to use the internet safely, we can work together to keep our children safe.
Parents and carers should:
- Speak to your child about dangers online.
- Let your child know that they can come to you if they need help or have any concerns.
- Advise your child that stranger danger also applies online. Their online friends should only be trusted people they have met face to face.
- Be aware of what online platforms your child is using and who they are talking to.
- Look at monitoring your child's online activity, particularly if they are quite young. This will help parents and carers identify and prevent any risky behaviour before it escalates.
Prevention and education are essential in keeping children safe online.
Northern Territory Police are working closely with police in other jurisdictions to detect and prosecute anybody seeking to exploit children, whether it be online or in the real world.
Further advice and tools on how to keep children safe online can be found at https://www.esafety.gov.au/.
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Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
