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Best practices to protect your children online

Keeping children safe online starts with clear communication, healthy boundaries, and the right use of technology. Below is a simplified guide to help you support your child’s digital wellbeing.

 

1. Set Clear Rules

Having open conversations about online behaviour is essential.

  • Help your child understand their digital footprint — everything posted or shared online leaves a permanent trace.
  • Encourage the habit of “think before you post”:
    • Would I be comfortable if this were about me?
    • Could this hurt someone?
    • Would I mind a teacher, family member, or friend seeing this?
  • Explain that harmful, discriminatory, or unkind behaviour is never acceptable online.
  • Ensure your child feels comfortable coming to you if something online makes them feel worried, upset, or uncomfortable.
  • Work together to create reasonable rules around when, where, and how long devices can be used.

2. Use Technology to Help Protect Them

Modern devices offer excellent tools for online safety.

  • Keep devices updated and ensure privacy settings limit unnecessary data collection.
  • Help your child recognise what information is private and why it must be protected.
  • Make full use of Parental Controls and safety features on their devices and broadband.
  • With Rebel Internet, the Plume Home app offers advanced Parental Controls to help you manage online time, filter content, and more.

Always stay available for questions. If a website asks for personal details and your child isn’t sure, sit with them and help assess whether it's safe.

3. Be Present in Their Online World

Guiding your child online is easier when you participate with them.

  • Spend regular online time together to model kindness, empathy, and positive behaviour.
  • Teach them how to spot misinformation, age‑inappropriate content, and material designed to provoke fear or anxiety.
  • Talk about advertising — help them understand when something is promotional, exaggerated, or misleading.
  • Explore age‑appropriate apps, games, and platforms together.

4. Model Healthy Online Habits

Children learn from what they see.

  • Be mindful of how you behave online — including what you post about your child.
  • Reinforce respectful, positive communication. Being kind online is a strength, not a weakness.
  • For online classes, remind them to be respectful, keep the camera background appropriate, and protect their privacy.
  • Look for signs that your child may be upset or secretive about their online activities. Reassure them that experiencing harassment or unkind behaviour is never their fault, and they can always talk to you.

5. Support Their Fun and Creativity

The internet can be an incredible place for learning and exploration.

  • Encourage your child to use online resources to discover new interests, learn skills, and be creative.
  • Promote a healthy balance between screen time, physical activity, and offline play.

Used positively, the online world can empower your child to learn, grow, and express themselves safely.