Cyber Safety

It has come to my attention that some of our students our using online games or social networking platforms. Please remember it is important that children don’t share images of themselves through these platforms that identify where they live or where they go to school eg pictures in their school uniform.

There are some very popular applications that do not have adequate protection for children. One of those applications is called ‘Tik Tok’. They have recently been fined for not protecting children online. A lot of children enjoy using this application so I urge you to discuss this with your child.

There is a great article which goes into more detail from the ‘Cyber Safety Lady’ who visited our school to talk with parents last year.

https://thecybersafetylady.com.au/2019/02/is-tiktok-safe-for-kids/

Please find below so more information regarding online gaming from the eSafety Commisioner. More information for parents is available on their website: https://esafety.gov.au/parents

Please see your child’s teacher if you have any questions concerning your child’s safety online.

Miss Gould 
Principal

ONLINE GAMING

eSafety research insights

• 81% of children aged 8 to 17 have played an online game
• 64% have played a multiplayer online game with others
• 52% have played with people they did not know
• 17% have experienced bullying or abuse while playing a network game with others
• 34% have made an in-game purchase and this rose to 45% when they played a network game with others 
   

How to create a safer gaming environment for your child

Prepare

• Locate the computer or games console in an open area of your home, or if your child is playing on their handheld device, get them to do it in the family room.
• Install current security software on all devices to protect against viruses, malware and other online threats.
• Activate parental controls and safety features on the device or in the app or browser. These controls can help restrict access to certain content and limit spending on in-game and in-app purchases. See our advice on taming the technology.

Build good habits

• Help your child to protect their privacy online — get them to use a screen name that does not reveal their real name.
• Teach your child not to click on links provided by strangers, like ‘cheat’ programs to help with game play, which might expose their device to viruses or malware.
• Agree on strategies to help them to switch off, like a timer that signals game time is nearly over, with consequences for not switching off.

Stay involved

• Talk regularly with your child about their gaming interests and who they play with online. Help them understand the risks.
• Play alongside your child to get a better sense of how they are handling their personal information and who they are communicating with.
• Monitor the time your child spends online and keep a look out for any changes in their activity, school or social behaviours.
• Encourage your child to tell you if they experience anything that worries them or makes them uncomfortable.

Be aware of what they are playing

• Games vary in their level of violent or sexual content, and may contain themes, language and images that are unsuitable for your child.
• You can check the age guidelines and classification for an individual game on its website or product packaging, or from the Australian Classification Board’s public database.
• Useful information about games ratings can also be obtained from the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) and the US Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).
• Review sites can also be a good source of information about age appropriate content – check out the Australian Council on Children and the Media

Empower your child

• Wherever possible, help them make wise decisions for themselves, rather than tell them what to do.
• Try to provide them with strategies for dealing with negative online experiences that will build their confidence and resilience. Our advice in good habits start young may be a good starting point.

Please note the information above is courtesy of the eSafety Commissioner of the Australian Government and can be found at https://esafety.gov.au/parents/big-issues/gaming .