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Online child sex exploitation

Online child sexual exploitation includes Internet sites depicting child pornography and the use of Internet chat rooms to befriend children for sexual purposes.

You should report suspected cases of online child sexual exploitation to the Australian Federal Police Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team, or the sexual offences units in your State or Territory police force.

Advice for parents/guardians

• If you are not an Internet user, learn about the Internet. See how the Internet works and what information is available to your child.
• Parents and children should also agree on an acceptable usage policy for the Internet. This should cover issues like what times of day are okay for web surfing, the length of time allowed online, what sorts of sites are appropriate, how to deal with privacy and safety issues.
• Take an interest in the new sites children are finding and spend time exploring the web with them. This will help children retain your values when they are working alone.
• Install an Internet filter which can restrict times when the Internet can be accessed and limit what content is viewed and downloaded.
• Keep in touch with what children are doing online.
• Place the computer with Internet access in a public area of the home, such as the living room, rather than a child's bedroom or playroom.
• Have family talks about the Internet and encourage children to let you know if they come across anything disturbing.
• With older children you may choose to discuss the nature of inappropriate and offensive material that can be found on the Internet.

Personal privacy tips

• It is important to note that being online is similar to being out in public. Anyone with Internet access can read what you post to public chat rooms, newsgroups and message boards.
• Take care when choosing screen names and email addresses. Do not choose anything that reveals gender, location, age or is suggestive or attractive. Terms such as 'Young boy', 'Sweet girl' or 'Innocent' can attract child sex offenders.
• It is also important to know that individuals on the Internet are not always who they say they are. Your child's new friend 'Rebecca13' may not be a 13 year old girl. In fact she may not even be a girl at all. People on the Internet who claim to be someone else will often send or post a fake photo.
• If you're children are communicating with others online, they should avoid giving out their full name, mailing address, telephone number, the name of their school, or any information that could allow someone to determine their actual identity or address.
• Children should never post pictures of themselves or their friends in public areas of the Internet and should never send a picture to someone they don't know.
• Always avoid posting your e-mail address in a public forum. This is the Number One cause of receiving unsolicited e-mail.

Personal safety tips

• Communicate regularly with your children about their online activities (who, what, when, where and why).
• Remember, you can never be certain if people you've met on the Internet are who they say they are.
• Encourage children to let you know when they have met a new friend online and periodically observe these conversations.
• If children wish to meet an online friend in person, insist that they discuss it with you first and never meet the person alone.
• If a parent/guardian agrees to a meeting, always meet in a public place that you are familiar with and always have a parent/guardian present.
• If children encounter someone or something that disturbs them in a chat room, they should leave the chat room and find one where they feel comfortable. Encourage children to report it to an adult who can in turn report suspicious behaviour to the relevant Internet Service Provider or chat room moderator.
• If you think a child sex offender is contacting your child online contact your local police, the Australian Federal Police or the Virtual Global Taskforce.

How to identify signs that a child may be at risk

• Closing or minimising the screen when you walk past - this may indicate that inappropriate content such as pornography or violence is being accessed.
• Staying up late at night - children may wait until parents are out of sight before engaging in exciting or risky behaviour.
• Spending a lot of time alone online - children can form online relationships with adults. This is often the first step in the 'grooming' process.
• Excessive use of chat rooms and instant messaging - using the computer for communication is similar to using the phone. Be alert that your child may be talking to strangers who could be adults with hidden motives.
• Spending large amounts of time on the computer - this may indicate that a child has discovered an area of the Internet that involves excitement or risk.
• Unusual mail or gifts are delivered - gifts, letters or packages may be sent by sex offenders posing as online friends.

Further information about safety online can be obtained from NetAlert, the Virtual Global Taskforce or the Australian Federal Police.