Useful Information for Parents

The following links provide useful information, resources and advice for parents wanting to help their children safely enjoy video and PC games,  and navigate the online world:

• A series of videos from the iGEA on how to set up Parental Controls

• Cybersmart  Cybersmart has been developed by ACMA (The Australian Communications and Media Authority) and is part of the Australian Government’s Cybersafety Program.  It has activities, resources and practival advice to help young kids, kids, teens and parents in the online environment.

• A CyberSafety Help Button to provide assistance and advice on online risks

• Telstra has produced some information to assist people of all ages navigate the online world safely

• Netsafe promotes cybersafety by educating and supporting individuals, organisations, and industry, on a range of cybersafety issues

• Netbasics, from New Zealand, has been designed to act as a guide through the issues and risks we all face everytime we go online. Netbasics have identified some of the more important issues that home users commonly face and have created an animated story to demonstrate each aspect.

•  In My Day: A Parent’s guide to cybersafety.   The internet and mobile phones are now a normal part of life. Young people are accessing the internet at earlier ages than ever before. The internet offers education, entertainment and creative opportunities for young people. Many of these opportunities reflect activities that, “in your day”, were done offline.  “In My Day” will help you understand the new environment and what young people do there.

•  askaboutgames.com has been developed by PEGI (UK based) and is intended to try and answer any questions parents and players may have about age ratings on video games but also details some advice on how to play games responsibly.

• getgamesmart.com is a US Site with some fantastic tools and resources to help keep parents and children informed about playing games safely and appropriately

• thinkuknow.co.uk has been developed by the CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) in Europe to provide information on websites, mobile phones and new technology.  Australia has also developed their own site thanks to the Australian Federal Police, Microsoft and ninemsn.  Visity thinkuknow.org.au to see the latest information.

• The ESRB have developed a brochure called A Parent’s Guide to Video Games, Parental Controls and Online Safety  as well as brochure called Net Cetera – Chatting With Kids About Being Online

• Opencolleges has produced an interactive guide to staying safe on the internet.

• Bravehearts The vision for Bravehearts is to make Australia the safest place for children in the world.  Bravehearts have some fantastic information and guides on keeping children safe in the online environment:  Bravehearts – Information for Parents  Bravehearts Information Sheet for Online Safety

• Webwise kids has been designed to provide tools to help parents have positive and productive conversations with their children about internet safety.