Information for Parents or Guardians
Below is some safety information about how a parent or guardian may control access to MA15+ by persons under 15 years of age and information about protecting families and children online.
The material available via VIP membership is classified MA15+ and is considered unsuitable for persons under 15 years of age.
If you believe that somebody in your care under 15 years of age has accessed the VIP service in contravention of the registration/membership rules, please contact us at support@networkten.com.au.
NetAlert
NetAlert is an Australian Government internet safety initiative which consists of a wide range of activities. Together, these activities provide a comprehensive response to the needs of the Australian community in protecting their families online.
The NetAlert – Protecting Australian Families Online initiative is managed by the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) and includes:
• the National Filter Scheme to provide every Australian household and public library with access to a free internet content filter to help block unwanted content
• a new website and national helpline to provide advice about protecting children online, as well as access to the free filters, and information about how they work.
The NetAlert website provides valuable information about how to protect your family and those in your care online. For more information please see NetAlert
http://www.netalert.gov.au/
Online risks for children
The internet is a place for children to play, explore and research. However, through the internet, children can also be:
• exposed to inappropriate, offensive or illegal websites and content
• vulnerable in chat rooms, as they could develop inappropriate online relationships with other users
• at risk by giving away personal information online
• harassed or bullied via email, chat rooms and instant messaging
• vulnerable to addiction to online games/gambling. Internet Safety Tips for Families Children need parents and carers to help teach them how to stay safe online. You may wish to think about the following to help your family:
• Spend time online with your children and explore websites together. Take an interest in what they like to do online.
• Help your children use the internet as an effective research tool - learn about handy homework tips for children and also good searching ideas.
• Be aware of your children communicating with people they don't know, particularly in chat rooms. Set house rules about what information your children can give out.
• Put the internet enabled computer in a public area of the home, such as the living room, rather than a child's bedroom.
• Talk to your children about their internet experiences - good and bad. Let them know it is OK to tell you if they come across something that worries them and that it does not mean that they are going to get into trouble.
• Teach your children the ways to deal with disturbing material - they should not respond if someone says something inappropriate and they should immediately exit any site if they feel uncomfortable or worried by it.
• Teach children that information on the internet is not always reliable.
• Encourage children to treat others in the same way that they would in real life by giving them an understanding of etiquette.
• Know the best ways of avoiding spam and how to identify it when it when it first appears.
• Set some appropriate guidelines for internet use and discuss them with the children in your care.
Internet Content Filters
You can equip your family with online protection by downloading a free internet content filter. You can download or order a free internet content filter from the NetAlert website: http://www.netalert.gov.au/ An internet content filter is a piece of software that helps manage access to online content on your home computer. Installing an internet content filter reduces the risk of your family coming into contact with something upsetting or dangerous online. Internet content filters offer a range of different functions to block, screen or monitor unwanted material. Unfortunately, there is no single action or internet content filter that does everything and it is not advisable to have two or more internet content filters installed on your computer at the same time. When using an internet content filter on your computer, you can:
• stay in touch with any websites your children create and visit
• consider restricting or monitoring access to instant messenger programs and social networking websites
• empower your children to talk about abuse: encourage them to come to you with their concerns.
Parental Control Monitoring Software
Parental control monitoring software are computer programs which help parents monitor and control their children's access to the internet.
Such programs include:
• Filtering and labelling programs which allows or blocks content
• Monitoring programs which can record and report on online activities and behaviour
• Time control programs which specifically monitor and limit the amount of time spent online Many of these programs can be used in popular internet services such as email, chat rooms, instant messaging and browsing the World Wide Web. Parental control monitoring software can help to provide technological solutions. They should not however, be relied upon as a complete solution to internet safety. They should form part of a family internet safety strategy.
Useful links:
For further safety information please visit: NetAlert
http://www.netalert.gov.au/ The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
www.dbcde.gov.au The Australian Communications and Media Authority
www.acma.gov.au
