The AFP says to be wary when buying online-capable devices for your child. Photo: stock
Parents looking at buying an internet-enabled device for their child this Christmas need to do their homework, Australian Federal Police say.
They say this involves the installation of safety features on devices as well as talking to the child about online safety.
There is good reason for this, says AFP Human Exploitation Commander Helen Schneider.
She says the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) records a spike in reports of offenders preying on children online during holidays.
“The latest gadgets are usually at the top of Santa’s wish list, and, unfortunately, anything popular with children can also attract the attention of people who want to harm or exploit them,” Commander Schneider said.
“The tech industry does include inbuilt safety features that can restrict the content a child can access and prevent strangers messaging them.”
She also says apps and external software can help protect the child.
“These safeguards are designed to be user-friendly so even technologically challenged adults can use them.”
But Comm. Schneider says “no amount of technology will ever replace the protection provided by starting an open and honest dialogue with your child about online safety”.
“The AFP-led ThinkUKnow website has tips on how to have those conversations and other practical advice and resources to support parents, carers and children,” she says.
The website’s resources include a free e-book that deals directly with online grooming through gaming consoles.
The ACCCE received more than 58,000 reports of online child abuse or exploitation in Australia in the 2023-24 financial year, an increase of 45 per cent from the previous year.
Anyone who knows about people involved in child abuse and exploitation is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report it to the ACCCE.
If you know abuse is happening right now or if a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
TIPS FOR PARENTS AND CARERS
- Check if the app or game your child is using has a direct message or chat function and see if they are talking to people that they know and trust or people they only met online.
- Consider disabling the chat if not necessary. If this isn’t possible, ensure your child knows to keep the chat about the game only and avoid answering personal questions.
- Some apps or games have privacy settings that can limit who can contact your child. A regular ‘check-up’ is required since these settings can change.
- Encourage critical thinking skills with your child and explain to them that not everyone online is who they say they are.
- Someone asking your child to move to another platform or to add them as a ‘friend’ on another platform may be a sign that something isn’t right. Keep an eye out for suspicious activity and know how to block and report them.
