As outlined on their website, eSafety expects that all online content providers are:

• Implementing adequate measures to actively minimise illegal or harmful content or activity, ensuring the service can be utilised safely by users
• Safeguarding children from material that is not age appropriate, such as pornography
• Taking reasonable actions to prevent harmful use of anonymous and encrypted
  services
• Establishing reporting mechanisms for users, clearly defining their terms of service and enforcing penalties for violations of these terms
• Cooperating with other service providers
• Responding to information requests from the eSafety Commissioner

Reporting harmful online content to eSafety

Harmful content can be shared or sent via websites, forums, social media, email, chat apps and online games. For concerns about harmful content you’ve found online, eSafety investigates all reports regarding:

• Serious online abuse
  • Cyberbullying of a child or young person (under 18)
  • Adult cyber-abuse
  • Image-based abuse (i.e. sharing or threatening to share an intimate image or video of an individual without their consent)
• Illegal and restricted online content
  • Materials depicting or inciting child abuse
  • Terrorism
  • Violent crimes or extreme violence
  • Material that shows or gives guidance on self-harm or suicide

Report online abuse as well as restricted and illegal online content, to eSafety at: https://www.esafety.gov.au/report/forms

For those who’ve experienced online abuse, or know someone who has, and need information on support, visit: https://www.esafety.gov.au/report/counselling-support

For details on counselling and referral services, head to: https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/counselling-support-services

Parental controls to help kids stay safe online

Effective set-up of parental settings and software can help you monitor and manage online safety at home for your family. They can help with:

• Restricting access – Parental controls can prevent children from accessing certain websites, apps or functions (such as disabling a device’s camera or in-app purchases)
• Filtering content – They can weed out inappropriate and explicit content, such as adult or sexual material, as well as content related to violence, drugs, gambling, self-harm, eating disorders, terrorism and racism.
• Setting time limits – Restrict time spent on connected devices or certain functions by blocking access after a predetermined period of time.
• Monitoring usage – Gain visibility on your child’s device usage, including websites browsed and apps used, as well as frequency of visits and session duration.

When a device, platform, app or software is used by family members, settings should have customisation capability to match the age and skill level of each individual. While parental controls are designed to create a significantly safer online environment, they are not 100% foolproof. Augment the effectiveness of these tools by educating your child about safe online practices.

For detailed guidance on setting up parental controls, please refer to the specific operating instructions of your device or software.