Fifty per cent of parents are unsure how to keep their children safe on the internet, and just three per cent of parents are concerned about the prevalence of online grooming.

Yet, since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, more than 800,000 registered accounts have been identified on the dark web and encrypted apps that are solely being used to facilitate child abuse material.

Before children head back to the classroom, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have launched the seven days of back-to-school safety tips to get a headstart against online predators.

Technology and online devices are an essential part of a student’s learning and engagement, so the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) and ThinkUKnow program are outlining how to recognise predatory sexual grooming and behaviour, how to report suspicious behaviour and abuse, and how to stay safe online.

Federal Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews says the protection of children online and cyber security are among the Government’s top priorities.

“The Government is serious about protecting children online – but we all have a role to play. The tips, warnings, and information the AFP is releasing this week are vitally important for parents, carers, teachers, and others. Together, we can keep our children safe.” 

AFP Commander for the ACCCE Hilda Sirec wants to encourage parents and carers to educate their children about sharing personal details and private photos online, and the dangers surrounding these acts.

“It’s perfectly natural for kids and young teens to wish to interact with people their own age online, but predators prey upon this to gain access to children, and can pose as children themselves,” says Commander Sirec.

“With the start of the school year, many students will be connecting with each other on social media for the first time, making it a good time to remind kids to ensure they know who they are adding online and for parents or guardians to talk with their children about safe ways to use their devices.”

The first back-to-school online safety focus is on catfishing, where predators create online social media personas of children or celebrities to enhance the likelihood of children responding to them.

A common occurrence is predators assuming the identity of a child already on social media, using their images and details, to make themselves more convincing.

Once a rapport has been established with the child, the predators often groom and coerce them into sending sexually explicit material.

Top tips for parents and carers

• Keep your child’s personal information private, including their full name and age.
• Ensure the background of photos or videos doesn’t give away your address or location, (and don’t post your location or ‘check in’).
• Avoid posting photos in school uniform.
• Only share images of your children with people you know and trust.
• For community accounts, consider having a closed group with approved members and ensure you have strong privacy settings in place.

How to report online child abuse

• If you believe a child is in imminent danger, call police Triple Zero (000) or visit your local police station.
• If your child is experiencing issues online, it is essential to collect evidence – taking screenshots or photos of the content. Once you have collected your evidence, block and report on the app, site, or platform where the issue occurred.

Online child sexual exploitation can be reported to the ACCCE at www.accce.gov.au/report or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available, visit to learn more www.accce.gov.au/support

Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protection children online can be found at ThinkUKnow, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation: www.thinkuknow.org.au

Parents and carers can also find an extensive range of information and support to help them keep children safe online at www.esafety.gov.au/parents

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