Online safety for parents & carers
You don’t need to become a tech expert — you need the right settings, the right conversations, and a plan for when things go wrong. Start anywhere below.
Three things worth knowing first
- Agree family rules before handing over the device — written down beats renegotiated nightly.
- The door that matters most: “you can always tell me, and you won’t lose your phone for it”.
- Devices charge outside bedrooms. One rule, enormous effect.
- guideUnder-16 social media minimum age: what parents need to knowAustralia’s social media minimum age rules started 10 December 2025. What the law actually says, which platforms are covered, what it means for your family, and how to talk to your teen about it.7 min read · Reviewed October 2026
- guideSetting up parental controls (iOS, Android, consoles)Step-by-step parental control setup for Apple Family Sharing, Google Family Link, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch — plus the settings that actually matter, in plain English.8 min read · Reviewed October 2026
- guideGaming safety for kids and teensPlain-English guide to keeping kids safe in online games: stranger chat, grooming red flags, loot boxes and in-game spending, scams targeting young gamers, and settings that help.7 min read · Reviewed October 2026
- guideCyberbullying: prevention and responseWhat cyberbullying looks like in Australia, how to lower the risk, and the exact response steps — evidence, platform reports, eSafety’s removal scheme, and support for your child.4 min read · Reviewed October 2026
- guideSocial media safety for teensPractical social media safety for Australian teens: private accounts, stranger contact, what not to share, the under-16 rules, and how to keep the conversation going.4 min read · Reviewed October 2026
- guideScreen time and healthy habitsEvidence-based screen time habits for Australian families: what the research actually says, routines that stick, and how to handle the battles. No guilt, just what works.4 min read · Reviewed October 2026
- playbookMy child is being bullied onlineCalm, practical steps when your child is being cyberbullied: support them first, collect evidence, report to the platform and eSafety, and where to get counselling in Australia.7 min read · Reviewed October 2026
- playbookI’ve seen something online involving a childHow to report online child exploitation, grooming or abuse material in Australia — to the ACCCE, eSafety, or 000 if a child is in immediate danger. You can report anonymously.5 min read · Reviewed October 2026