Toddlers to get cyber safety tips

CHILDREN as young as two could be educated about online dangers, under an agreement between Australian Federal Police and child advocacy group the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.

They have signed a formal partnership to train parents and toddlers to combat cyber- bullying and the risks of online child exploitation. It could involve AFP officers visiting childcare centres or preschools to educate kids about online safety and being respectful digital citizens. Cyber abuse complaints to the Office of the eSafety Commissioner spiked by 34 per cent in the past year.

Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Security Angus Taylor said the rise in exploitation of very young children online was a catalyst for the agreement.

“Young children are being targeted,” Mr Taylor said.

“You don’t teach a preschool child the same as what you would teach a high school kid, of course, but there are still things they can learn. Just as we teach them about stranger danger in the physical world, we need to teach them the same in the online world.”

The AFP said it was “excited” to be working on developing new online safety initiatives.

One in five children reported being cyber bullied in the past 12 months and a worrying one in four kids under 12 are being stalked, harassed and abused online.