Parents' Place

Net Safety

The Internet opens up a world of knowledge, learning and fun. However, there are safety issues that should be considered when allowing children to surf the Net. There are many resources available to help parents and caregivers increase their awareness of Internet safety.

Some useful web sites include:

The National Child Protection Clearinghouse site provides a selection of sites covering safety issues and guidelines for parents of children and young people using the Internet.

Net Alert is an independent community advisory body established by the Australian Government to educate Australians in managing their access to the Internet. This site covers age groups from Under 12 to Senior.

These pages from the Victoria Department of Employment, Education, Training provide safe Internet usage guidelines for schools.

Who's chatting to your kids?: a must read for parents with Internet access, originally published by the QLD Police Service, alerts parents to the potential dangers of chat rooms, as well as mobile phones.

Potamus Place Net Safety provides access to a selection of sites covering Internet privacy and safety issues.

The following safety code was devised by Childnet International and may be useful for children in your care:

Safety SMART Rules

• Secret: Always keep your name, address, mobile phone number and password private.
• Meeting someone you have contacted in cyberspace can be dangerous. Only do so with your parents' permission, and then when they can be present.
• Accepting emails or opening files from people you don't really know or trust can get you into trouble -- they may contain viruses or nasty messages.
• Remember someone online may be lying and not be who they say they are. Stick to the public areas in chat rooms and if you feel uncomfortable simply get out of there!
• Tell your parent or carer if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried.