Mortlake Public School

Excel by Effort

Telephone02 9743 3001

Emailmortlake-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Helping kids stay safe online

esafety commissioner logo

The eSafety Commissioner is Australia's official online safety regulator. Their job is to help protect everyone - especially children - from harmful experiences on the internet.

In today's digital world, children are using the internet more than ever - for learning, playing games, and connecting with friends. While the online world offers many exciting opportunities, it's important to stay safe. That's where Australia's eSafety Commissioner comes in.

Role of the eSafety Commissioner

The eSafety Commissioner is Australia's official online safety regulator. Their job is to help protect everyone - especially children - from harmful experiences on the internet. They work to prevent issues like cyberbullying and to remove illegal or upsetting content from websites and apps.

How does eSafety help kids?

The eSafety Commissioner offers many resources to help children aged 5–12 stay safe online.

Some of the ways they support young people:

  • Tips for Being Safe Online: eSafety provides advice on how to explore the internet safely. For example, they suggest asking a trusted adult to help with new games or apps, keeping personal information private, and knowing what to do if you see something upsetting online.

  • Fun Learning Activities: Through programs like "Playing IT Safe," eSafety offers games and activities that teach kids about online safety in a fun and engaging way.

  • Classroom Resources: eSafety provides teachers with materials like posters, videos, and activities to help students learn about safe online behaviors.

What can you do?

Parents and carers play a vital role in helping children navigate the online world safely. Here are some simple but powerful ways you can support your child:

  • Talk regularly about online safety
    Encourage open conversations about what your child is doing online. Let them know they can come to you if they see or experience anything upsetting.
  • Explore together
    Sit with your child while they use apps, games or websites. It’s a great opportunity to learn about their interests and guide them toward age-appropriate, safe choices.
  • Set rules and boundaries
    Create clear guidelines for internet use at home, such as screen time limits, appropriate websites, and rules around sharing personal information.
  • Use trusted resources
    Visit the eSafety Parents page to access advice, step-by-step guides and tools to help you support your child’s online experience.
  • Model safe behaviours
    Children often mirror adult habits - so demonstrate good digital hygiene, such as keeping passwords private and being kind and respectful online.
  • Use parental controls
    Take advantage of parental controls on devices, browsers, and apps to help filter content and monitor your child's usage.
  • Know where to get help
    If your child sees something upsetting online or experiences cyberbullying, report it to the eSafety Commissioner. Their team can investigate and help remove harmful content.

Being safe online is a team effort! Here are some steps you can take:

  • Talk to trusted adults
    If you ever feel unsure or upset about something online, speak to a parent, teacher, or another trusted adult.
  • Learn together
    Explore new websites or apps with your parents or carers.
  • Stay informed
    Visit the eSafety Kids page for more tips and information on staying safe online.

Remember, the internet is a great place to learn and have fun, but it's important to know how to stay safe. With the help of the eSafety Commissioner, parents, teachers, and you, we can all work together to make the online world a safer place for everyone.

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