The eSafety Commissioner has released a new guide to help grandparents teach their grandchildren about online safety.
The guide, Online safety for grandparents and carers, builds on research which revealed that almost a quarter of older Australians provided regular care for grandchildren, averaging 12 hours per week.
eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant said grandparents played a crucial role caring for children in families but many didn’t have the knowledge or confidence to keep kids safe online.
“We also know grandparents love to spoil their grandkids but that doesn’t mean they need to be permissive – or lack knowledge – when it comes to online safety,” Ms Inman Grant said.
“More than half of people aged over 70 have low to no digital literacy,” she said.
“And with 81 per cent of parents giving their preschooler access to an internet-enabled device, there is a real need for a resource to help for grandparents upskill in online safety.”
Ms Inman Grant said younger grandparents could also benefit from using the Guide.
“Latest research from eSafety shows Australians aged 50 to 65 are less confident using online technology than those aged 18 to 34,” she said.
“They are also less confident managing online safety issues, such as knowing where to report a negative online incident (33 per cent compared to 54 per cent).”
She said the Guide would inform grandparents and carers on a range of issues such as online footprints, cyberbullying and the pressures of social media.
“It provides guidance on matters such as how to set up devices securely, share time online with grandchildren, and teach grandchildren when to ask for help,” Ms Inman Grant said.
The eSafety Commission’s 33-page Guide can be accessed at this PS News link.
