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Stranger Danger

Practical tips for parents to keep children safe 

  • Always provide the supervision children need to remain safe.
  • Trust your instincts if behaviour from a friend or relative makes you or your child feel uncomfortable. 
  • Believe your child if they tell you about something that made them feel uncomfortable. 
  • Make sure your child understands what touching is OK (like from the doctor) and what is not OK (touches to the private parts that make them feel angry, upset or confused). 
  • Explain that sometimes adults do things that are wrong and they should tell you if this happens. 
  • Many abusers make children keep their abuse a secret. Help your children to learn the difference between safe and unsafe secrets. Teach them that secrets are only OK if they give someone a nice surprise. 
  • Have a family password that your child can remember. If someone tells your child they have come to pick them up, the child can test them with the password. 
  • Make sure your children know where to go for help. 

If you require additional support, contact TFSS at 1800 073 388 or Parents Line (free telephone counselling during the week and weekends) at 1300 1300 52. In the case of an emergency, contact NSW Police at Triple Zero (000).

How to make the internet safe for your child 

  • You can help your child use the internet safely by learning how to make internet access safe, monitoring their use and teaching them about the risks involved. 
  • Child development experts offer the following practical advice to minimise internet dangers: 
  • Talk to you child about how to stay safe on the internet as soon as they become involved with the online world. Keep the conversation going as they grow into sophisticated users. 
  • Monitor how often your child goes online and set limits together on the amount of screen time allowed. 
  • Keep computers in the family room so you can see which websites children are visiting and for how long. Don’t allow children to use mobile phones or other devices in private rooms. 
  • Ask your child to let you know if a stranger contacts them or if they feel bullied or frightened. 
  • Choose a family-friendly internet service provider, use safe search engines and apply web browsing tools to filter out harmful or distressing material. 
  • Beome familiar with appropriate sites for children and show your child sites that are fun, interesting and educational.

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