AFP urges parents and carers to prepare children for digital milestones

With teens eligible to independently set up their own social media accounts once they turn 13 years old, the AFP is encouraging parents and carers to talk to their children about online safety.

The safety message comes as the AFP ThinkUKnow program today launches a new resource, Parent and carer social media starter kit: preventing online child sexual exploitation, which provides tips and advice on how to implement safety measures to help prevent instances of online child sexual exploitation on social media.

AFP Commander for the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) Hilda Sirec said while some children may have had their own tablets, gaming consoles and other devices for years, turning 13 years old is an important milestone for parents and carers to initiate age-appropriate conversations about their personal safety online.

“Websites, apps, games or sites have the potential to be positive, and foster creativity, teach problem-solving skills, and provide much-needed connectivity to friends, however, there is also the potential for them to be misused or cause harm.

“Talking to your children early and often about their online behaviour as well as educating them on safe online practices is key to ensuring that children use the internet safely.

“The return of the school year is a good time to have, or re-start, those conversations.

“We know parents and carers are doing a great job raising their kids, and that is why we are encouraging them to have important safety conversations with children before they sign up to social media services to prevent the risk of online child sexual exploitation.

“These conversations are vital to helping protect children online but also for creating an open and non-judgemental channel of communication throughout their teenage years.”

Many reports made to the ACCCE involve instances of self-generated child sexual abuse material, online grooming and inappropriate contact – many of which begin through interactions on social media.

Parents and carers are reminded that although at age 13 a young person is legally allowed to create an account in their own name, it does not necessarily mean that the content and images they will be exposed to is appropriate for that age group.

Parents and carers are also being urged to implement safe online habits and preventative measures at home to reduce the risk and incidence of online child sexual exploitation.

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