Kindy kids to get lessons in sexts

KIDS in day care and kindergarten will be warned by police about online grooming and sexting, as seasoned officers are left shocked by the age of victims.

Children as young as four – many unable to read and write – are uploading sexually ex- plicit images on the internet and falling prey to predators.

The Australian Federal Police will today launch a recalibrated ThinkUKnow cyber training program for those in daycare up to Year 2.

Some Queensland children don’t go to kindy, but those aged four and five instead attend day care, where they receive a kindy-type education.

The AFP runs the program, but state police will attend schools and kindies to provide seminars to teachers and pupils. The program will be rolled out from next month.

Kids will be taught about safe and appropriate internet use, about not sharing too much personal information, not speaking to strangers online, cyberbullying, and where to get help if things go wrong. Some of the information could be imparted through cartoons.

Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Security Angus Taylor said the online world could be dangerous and action needed to be taken “fast” to protect children.