The protection of children remains a high priority for the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) and state and territory police Australia-wide, with new resources and an online safety challenge.
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a number of online safety challenges for children and young people. Prevention is critical in countering the exploitation of children online, yet ACCCE research published earlier this year revealed that information seeking and discussion about online children sexual exploitation is generally only undertaken in response to a specific event.
AFP Assistant Commissioner for the ACCCE and Child Protection Operations Lesa Gale said the AFP, ACCCE and state and territory police will continue to work together to keep children safe during COVID-19.
“We want to reassure the community that we have bolstered our efforts, sharing of information and enhanced coordination to investigate online child sexual exploitation,” Assistant Commissioner Gale said.
“We released a national online safety challenge to Australians to help safeguard their families against online exploitation, and new online safety home learning resources for parents and carers as part of the ThinkUKnow program.”
Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec from the NSW Police Force Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad said while social media apps help young people stay in touch with friends and access educational material, they can also bring them into contact with strangers.
“Any app, online game, or social media platform that allows the user to be in contact with people they do not know can put children at risk,” he said.
“Internet usage has already increased and this is a timely reminder for all parents to keep an eye on what their children are doing online.”
Seven day online safety challenge: The challenge involves a daily simple task for parents and carers to complete, to help kick-start their journey in helping protect their children.
To take part in the challenge, visit www.accce.gov.au or https://www.facebook.com/ACCCEaus/ and https://twitter.com/ACCCE_AUS
New ThinkUKnow resources – home learning activity packs: New home learning activity packs support parents and carers and address the challenges associated with children spending more time online. To access the activity packs visit: https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/for-parents-and-carers
Online child sexual exploitation threat
Talk to your child today about what information shouldn't be shared online to help keep them safe.
NSW Police have increased their commitment to targeting those who use the internet to prey on children with specialist officers now working seven-days a week to monitor these activities.