How To Keep Children Safe When Online & Watching Media

Where can I find resources to help keep my child safe online?

NetSafe

NetSafe is an independent non-profit organisation that provides cybersafety and online security education for all New Zealanders. NetSafe's website has a variety of information on online safety and security issues. The website has information for children, parents, community groups, schools and counsellors. See:

• online bullying advice for parents
• 7 steps for whānau
• bring your own device
• social media advice for parents

Netsafe also provides information about the risks of taking and sharing intimate images. The 'bare facts' is a campaign developed by rangatahi, Netsafe and Classification Office Te Mana Whakaatu about the risks of taking and sharing intimate images. 

Find out more about the 'bare facts' campaign.

Children & Media Australia: Thriving in a digital world

The Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) supports families, industry and decision-makers in building and maintaining a media environment that fosters the health, safety and wellbeing of Australian children. ACCM is committed to promoting better choices and providing stronger voices in children's media. The information ACCM provides is relevant to New Zealand families. 

• web survival toolkit
• Kidzone movie reviews
• Kidzone computer games
• media use, sleep and school work
• parent guides

Classification Office Te Mana Whakaatu

The Classification Office Te Mana Whakaatu is responsible for the classification of all films, videos, publications, and some video games in New Zealand. The Classification Office Te Mana Whakaatu website has some useful information for parents on controlling content.

See the Classification Office's page about parental controls.

Watch a video about how to use parental controls (Classification Office)

Parental control tools allow you to be in control, protecting your whānau from unexpectedly seeing upsetting and yucky content. These settings may also be available cross-platform for things like apps, games, and web use.

Watch a video about why parental controls are important (Classification Office)

We all want to keep our tamariki safe, any time it is screen time. And screen time doesn't just happen in the home. Whether at the café or in the car, on a phone, an ipad, or a laptop, parental controls are your parenting hack.

Watch a video about looking out for your mates with parental controls (Classification Office)