30 Jul Empowering Parents & Carers for Online Safety
The Alannah & Madeline Foundation Joins Telstra for DigiTalk
The internet plays a significant role in our children’s lives, making it crucial for parents and carers to ensure their safety online. While the internet offers benefits, it also presents risks like exposure to inappropriate content and cyberbullying. In a survey, eight in ten parents reported that their child had encountered upsetting online experiences.
To address these challenges, the DigiTalk Online Safety Hub just has been launched, providing actionable tips for open and constructive conversations about online safety. Topics include screen time management, digital literacy, safe online gaming, addressing online bullying, and promoting responsible exploration.
Dr. Maša Popovac, Senior Advisor for Digital Literacy at the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, expressed enthusiasm about the resource aiming to equip parents with credible and practical information and empowering children to become confident digital citizens.
“The ever-evolving digital landscape can be complex and intimidating. The Foundation is thrilled to be working with Telstra to launch a resource that provides parents and carers with credible and practical information in assisting children and teens to become confident digital citizens.” she said.
According to Jackie Coates, Head of Telstra Foundation, starting the conversation about cyber safety early is essential. Parents can introduce the concept of the internet and its uses to children at a young age, teaching best practices like safeguarding personal information and promoting kindness online.
In research conducted by Telstra, four in five (79%) parents say they have had a ‘talk’ with their children about how to stay safe online, with half (49%) noting they talk about this matter a lot. But despite this, almost one third (31%) of Aussie parents of kids aged 5-17 years say they aren’t sure/have no idea where their kids are spending time online.**
Understandably parents and carers can feel overwhelmed when it comes to ensuring their child’s online safety and often don’t know where to start. Communication is key, which is why the Alannah & Madeline Foundation and Telstra are encouraging families to ‘have the DigiTalk’ today.
** YouGov conducted online between 6-7 February 2023, sample comprised of 1,011 Australians 18 years and older. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1011 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 6th – 7th February 2023. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Australian adults (aged 18+).
