​Tuesday 7th Feb 2023 is Safer Internet Day.

Safer Internet Day is a global event that brings together communities, families, schools and organisations from more than 200 countries to help create safer online spaces.

Interested in participation? This website, provided by the office of the eSafety Commissioner  contains further information - and various resources (including those intended for use in schools). 

The internet has enabled kids to learn, share and create more easily. But it has also become a space for cybercriminals to cause trouble and steal information from others. It’s vital to instil cyber secure behaviours early, so children learn how to identify cyber threats and mitigate against them.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) Kids Cyber Security Checklist provides simple tips for primary school-aged children about the basic cyber security steps to stay secure online. The ACSC’s Kids Cyber Security Checklist is available at: https://www.cyber.gov.au/cyber-security-kids.

Use the ACSC’s learning resources
Help create a more secure online environment for children by sharing our easy-to-follow guides, including:

• Kid’s Cyber Security Checklist - A one-page list of suggestions to enhance cybersecurity
• Cyber Security Instruction Manual - A Kid’s Guide to Using the Internet Securely
• Cyber Security Poster for Kids
• Cyber Security colouring in sheet for Kids

What can you do?
The ACSC is encouraging Australian families to strengthen their children’s cyber security online by taking the following steps:

• Turn on automatic security updates on all devices to fix weaknesses.
• Activate multi-factor authentication to add multiple layers of protection.
• Regularly back up devices to help easily restore your files in the case your device is ever hacked, lost, stolen or damaged.
• Use strong passphrases to secure gaming, social media and all other accounts.
• Check settings and set portable devices to require parental approval before software is installed. Parental controls can also be used for this purpose.
• Report and recognise scams.