The Australian Federal Police (AFP) launched a child safety public awareness campaign on Father’s Day Sunday to coincide with the start of National Child Protection Week.
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said the best gift fathers could receive was the knowledge that their kids were safe online and in the community.
“With children being home-schooled and traffic online dramatically increasing during COVID-19, it is important parents understand what their children are doing online, who they are interacting with and what platforms they are using,” Commissioner Kershaw said.
“Our children are constantly receiving inappropriate contact via online devices, apps and online games,” he said.
“Research commissioned by the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) found only 52 per cent of parents and carers talk to their children about online safety.”
Commissioner Kershaw said parents needed to educate themselves about how devices work, what apps and platforms were suitable for children, and what to do if they suspected a predator was trying to contact their child.
“If it takes a village to raise a child, advances in technology now means it takes a country to keep them safe,” he said.
“We need parents, teachers, technology companies and businesses to help the AFP stop children falling victim to online grooming and being preyed upon by child sex offenders.”
He said the AFP had a number of practical and simple tips for parents, carers and schools to help keep kids safe.
The AFP’s online safety tips can be accessed on the ACCCE website at this PS News link.
