We all have a role to play in keeping our kids safe online

Our children are digital natives who learn, explore, connect, entertain and express themselves online. They can also wander into harm’s way.

As a mother, and Minister for Communications, I fully understand the concerns around cyberbullying, online predators and unintended access to harmful, distressing and age-inappropriate content.

Research by the online safety regulator – eSafety – found almost two-thirds of 14 to 17-year-olds have viewed extremely harmful content including drug abuse, suicide or self-harm, as well as gory or violent material online. A quarter have been exposed to content promoting unhealthy eating habits.

The research also found around a quarter of 8 to 10-year-olds use social media at least weekly, while almost half of 11 to 13-year-olds log on at the same rate. Many social media platforms, however, have minimum age limits of 13.

We are having an important national conversation about the impact of social media on young people.

Parents I speak to are rightly concerned about the potential for social media to negatively influence or harm their children.

Young people are telling me they understand the need for protections but don’t want to feel isolated or disconnected from their peers.

That’s why the Albanese Labor Government is taking decisive action on a number of fronts to minimise online harms to better protect – not isolate – young people.

In terms of addressing online harms, we all have a role to play: parents, Governments, industry and the broader community.

It’s the role of Government to put the necessary guardrails in place to help keep all Australians, including young people, safe online.

Platforms also have a key responsibility for the safety of their users – and we are holding big tech to account.

This week, eSafety put social media platforms on notice to reveal how many children are on their sites and how they detect and block underage users.

I gave eSafety the powers to demand this transparency by strengthening the Basic Online Safety Expectations (BOSE) in May.

Knowing how many children are on their sites was only one part of these important changes.

I also made clear Australia’s expectations that platforms must ensure the best interests of the child is at the heart of their services.

This means platforms must be thinking about our children when they are making decisions about the services they offer – not just after harm occurs.

We are continuing to tackle bullying and harassment.  

The changes also go to the systems that power content delivered by algorithms. These recommender systems must not amplify unlawful or harmful material.

Parents should be confident that their children – in wanting to watch an episode of Bluey – will not be shown horrific, graphic content.

It is not beyond us to keep these big tech companies in check. Australia is a world leader for online safety - but we know the technology is changing fast.

This is why I brought forward the independent review of Australia’s Online Safety Act. Led by Ms Delia Rickard PSM, the review is comprehensive.

While Government can set laws, we need to ensure our children are comfortable to speak up about their online experiences, the good and bad.

Young people are saying they want adults to engage in the online environments they are in, like online games.

We also need to ensure that parents, carers, educators and children have access to tools and resources to stay safe online.

eSafety has an online trove of practical tips, guides and conversation starters to help empower and support our children and look out for the possible signs when things go wrong online.

I am proud that the Albanese Government quadrupled funding for eSafety.

And I’m proud we are leading this important national conversation.

Just as the theme of National Child Protection Week highlights every conversation matters - they do.

Let’s keep this important conversation going.