While the online world is filled with opportunities for young people to open their minds, broaden their knowledge and boost their wellbeing, staying safe online is just as essential as it has ever been. When used incorrectly, digital technologies can still potentially lead to negative impacts on the wellbeing of young people.
AI is just one example of how, when used safely and with positive intent, young people can benefit from its capabilities. Students and staff are exploring how AI can be harnessed to support student learning. This may lead to increased confidence in the classroom and an increased creativity and curiosity about learning.
However, AI as a digital technology tool continues to be the subject of plenty of debate. In staying on top of emerging online trends, recognising their positive impacts and having honest, open conversations about potentially unsafe behaviours, parents can support their children to continue to engage with the digital world safely, so they can keep enjoying the benefits. Whether they’re gaming, streaming, chatting, or scrolling, young people can encounter risks. As a parent, you can take simple and effective steps to help guide your child’s digital habits and ensure their online experiences are safe, age-appropriate, and healthy. Here are some valuable tools and resources to help you navigate online safety:
Set Up Parental Controls
Parental controls are your first line of defence. They help manage screen time, restrict access to inappropriate content, and monitor app usage.
The eSafety Commissioner provides an excellent guide to parental controls, covering home Wi-Fi, devices, apps, and gaming platforms: Parental Controls.
Google Family Link allows you to manage your child’s device remotely, this is great to assist with managing Google Chrome usage and Gmail: Parental Supervision Remotely.
- Apple Devices have their own parental controls, which are connected via Family accounts. These are particularly helpful, for ensuring what young people see is appropriate, limit who they can communicate with during which hours, app limits, along with a ‘Driving Focus’ app so young learner drivers are not distracted.
- Apple Devices Parental Controls
Choosing Safe Devices for Kids
Not all devices are created equal when it comes to safety features. Learn how iOS vs Android compare in terms of parental settings, app restrictions and monitoring in this device safety guide: iOS vs Android Kids Safety.
(NOTE: Apple has made some significant improvements since January). Mixed device families will need to look at individual device settings, along with various apps that can help.
Understand Age Restrictions on Social Media
Currently, many popular platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat require users to be at least 13 years old. From December this year this will increase to 16 years old. The eSafety Commissioner outlines social media age restrictions to help you make informed decisions about your child’s online presence, along with how to support conversations when talking about these changes: Social Media Age Restrictions.
Stay on Top of Gaming Safety
Gaming platforms like Roblox are incredibly popular but can expose children to strangers and inappropriate content without proper settings. Risks to children playing Roblox are ‘deeply disturbing’, say researchers.
- Roblox provides a Parental Controls Overview to help you manage chat settings, spending limits and account activity: Parental Controls Overview.
Parent-Tested Device Hacks
If you’re looking for tried-and-tested tips from real parents, this helpful Mamamia article shares simple hacks like screen timers, app limits, and even setting up “kid zones” on your devices: Simple Hacks.
Start the Conversation
No tool is more powerful than an open, ongoing conversation. Talk with your child regularly about what they do online, who they talk to, and what to do if they see something that makes them feel uncomfortable. Show curiosity, not judgment—it builds trust.
Need more support?
Visit the eSafety Parents Portal for videos, conversation starters, and more tools to help you support your child’s digital wellbeing:
Let’s work together to keep our young people safe, supported, and smart online.