Resources for young children
You can explore the key internet safety messages with your child using Hector’s World a cartoon series featuring Hector Protector, a bottlenose dolphin and his friends. Click on a theme below for tips on how to use Hector's World with your child.
- Protecting personal information
- Cyberbullying
- e-security
The resources in this section are intended to help children understand the importance of protecting their personal information and checking with an adult before providing it online. There are five Hector’s World stories exploring personal information.
How you can use this resource:
Hector's World: Details...Details
- watch the episode with your child and discuss the key issues including:
- what personal or 'special' information is, e.g. address, full name, school etc.
- when to share personal information, who to share it with, and why they shouldn't share it with everyone
- the need to check with a trusted adult lbefore typing in their personal information. Help them make a list of a few trusted adults
- the need to talk to you or another trusted adult about any problems or worries especially if they think they have made a mistake or done the wrong thing on the computer
- watch the episode again and prompt your child to think about what information Ranjeet was going to give out and why his friends stopped him.
If you have time you might like to explore stories 2 to 5 with your child to further emphasise the key messages.
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The resources in this section are intended to help children understand the importance of reporting cyberbullying to parents and the importance of being kind to others online. There is one Hector’s World story exploring cyberbullying.
Hector’s World: Cyberbullying: You’re Not Alone
How you can use this resource:
- watch the epsiode with your child
- talk with your child about what they say and do on mobiles and the internet
- talk about what they should do if someone is mean online
- write a list of trusted adults they can go to if needed
- encourage them to tell you about problems especially if they think they have made a mistake or done the wrong thing—reassure them you can always help them.
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The resources in this section are intended to help children understand basic risks to computers and encourage them to report risks to adults. There is one Hector’s World story exploring e-security.
Hector’s World: Computer Security ‘Oops!’
How you can use this resource:
- watch the episode with your child
- explain that Sprat clicked on something he shouldn’t have which damaged his computer
- explore what Sprat should have done, including asking a parent for help
- talk to your child about the importance of not clicking on anything they aren’t sure about
- help your child identify trusted adults they can get help from if something unusual happens on the computer
- encourage them to tell you about problems especially if they think they have made a mistake or done the wrong thing—reassure them you can always help them.
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The Australian Government's
Easy Guide to Socialising Online provides information on how internet users can protect themselves and their information when using social networking sites, search engines and online games.