CYBERBULLYING

If it's unacceptable offline then it’s unacceptable online.
Think! It’s important to talk to your child about how they behave online. If they choose to use technology to call somebody names or spread hurtful rumours then they are involved in online bullying.

Talk to your child, ask them how they would feel if the same was said or done to them? What are your children saying online? It can be very easy online for children to behave in a way that they wouldn’t if they were face to face with each other. Talk to your children about how they are speaking to others online. Explain to them what to do if somebody is mean to them online, how should they respond (don’t respond, ignore them!), how to use reporting tools and to tell a trusted adult.

I think my child is being bullied
Your child may not tell you if they are experiencing bullying behaviour online because of a fear it might make things worse for them or they may lose access to their devices and the internet. 

Signs to watch for

• being upset after using the internet or their mobile phone
• changes in personality, such as becoming more withdrawn, anxious, sad or angry 
• appearing more lonely or distressed 
• unexpected changes in friendship groups 
• a decline in their school work 
• changes in their sleep patterns 
• avoidance of school or clubs 
• a decline in their physical health 
• becoming secretive about their online activities and mobile phone use

For support and further information on what you can do in this case, see the resources available at https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/big-issues/cyberbullying

YOU TUBE
You should be 13+ to use YouTube. Lots of inappropriate content can be found on YouTube and it relies heavily on users flagging content that violates the terms and conditions of their service.

What can you do to make it safer for your children?

• Turn on Restricted mode – this mode restricts the availability of mature content.
• Sit with your child and see what they are watching.
• Ensure your child knows how to report content.
• Make sure your child understands that they can talk to you if they see anything upsetting online.

YouTube Kids is also available with the option to select the shows you prefer your child to watch, however inappropriate content has also been found on here too. Services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime are a great alternative containing lots of children’s programmes.