Murrumbidgee Police District encourage parents to monitor internet activities of children

And whilst Australia is leading the way with the Online Safety Act 2021, expanding existing protections against online harm to keep pace with abusive behaviour and toxic content there is still a reason to be cautious.

Sergeant Cherie Knox told The Area News that there were a number of ways to keep children safe online and on social media.

"Research shows one in four young people in Australia have been contacted by someone they don't know online," Sergeant Knox said.

"From a policing perspective we understand that the majority of times this contact is harmless, but there are times this contact can be inappropriate, unsafe, or many constitute an offence.

"If you see or experience bullying online that is threatening or harassing screenshot the message and report the matter to the police."

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The NSW Police Force also recommends a number of additional steps to keep children safe online:

Youth officer Senior Constable Jasmine Hussain also conducts talks across the MPD on cyber safety and cyberbullying, even visiting students who have been negatively impacted by online activity.

"Technology plays a big part, social media especially which is where we are seeing a lot of issues surrounding cyberbullying," Mrs Hussain said.

"Bullying isn't just in the schoolyard anymore, it's now online.

"A lot of parents don't realise the website and apps that their children can access and are accessing so I would encourage parents to assess and monitor what their children are up to when online on a regular basis.

More information about Safer Internet Day and playing it fair and safe online can be found here.

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