Nationals Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie, welcomed today’s launch of an internet safety initiative targeting young people including those from country areas.
According to research from Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, children are regularly exposed to harmful online experiences with 28 per cent of parents aware their child has had a negative experience online.
As part of this year’s Safer Internet Day, the eSafety Commissioner released the next phase of its ‘start the chat’ initiative which promotes safer online experiences for children and equips parents, carers and teachers with practical resources for having conversations about safe and responsible internet use.
This initiative includes the eSafety Commissioner’s Early Years Online Safety for under 5s booklet in which copies are available here: https://bit.ly/2SfGKkn
“I particularly encourage parents, carers and teachers across regional Victoria to visit the eSafety website which has lots of free downloadable resources and advice on how we can help our next generation grow up in a safer online world,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Whether it’s at the dining table while having dinner, driving the kids to sport, or even in the classroom, these are great examples of opportunities to have a chat about online safety.”
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant adds: “Parents need to become as involved in
their children’s online lives as they are in their everyday lives, from the moment they hand them a digital device.
“It all starts with ‘the chat’ – with letting your child know that, along with all the wonders of the internet, there are serious risks there for them too. And eSafety is there to support parents and carers, and the community generally, with advice and resources at esafety.gov.au, the world’s premier online safety hub.”
The Liberal and National government is at the forefront of online safety policy. In 2015, established the world's first Children's eSafety Commissioner to support Australian children experiencing cyberbullying harm. In 2017, the government expanded the eSafety Commissioner's remit to include all Australians.
To get involved or for more information, visit www.esafety.gov.au/SID.