Teaching kids digital etiquette

All about netiquette

Digital etiquette - or 'netiquette' is a set of rules and guidelines for respectful and responsible behaviour online. By instilling these principles early, parents and carers can help children navigate the online world safely and positively. According to the Australian eSafety Commissioner, promoting respectful online behaviour can significantly reduce cyberbullying and other negative online experiences.

Our top 3 netiquette tips:

• Set clear expectations: Explain what respectful online behaviour looks like and why it’s important. Set rules for appropriate language and behaviour in online interactions.
• Lead by example: Children learn by observing adults, so show them how to be respectful and responsible by demonstrating good netiquette through your own online interactions.
• Encourage empathy:  Teach your children to consider how their actions might affect others. Encourage them to think before they post and to treat others with kindness and respect.

Set boundaries and monitor usage

Clear boundaries help children understand the limits of acceptable online behaviour. Every online platform has its own set of guidelines. Encourage kids to follow the guidelines so they use the platform responsibly.

Monitoring their usage allows you to address any issues promptly.

Balancing screen time with other activities is essential for mental health and wellbeing. Help your kids develop healthy screen habits by setting time limits and encouraging regular breaks.

Out top 3 tips for healthy online experiences:

• Create a family agreement: Develop a set of rules for internet use the whole family can follow. Include guidelines on screen time, appropriate websites and respectful behaviour. Involve your children in the process so you know they understand and agree to the guidelines.
• Use parental control settings on devices to help monitor and manage your child’s online activities. How to set up parental controls
• Have regular check-ins: Talk often with your children about their online experiences. Ask about their interactions and address any concerns they have.

Learn how to balance screen time for families

Encourage positive online interactions

Just like in face-to-face interactions, kindness and respect go a long way online. Being a good digital citizen means contributing positively to the online community and being mindful of your actions. Encourage your children to treat others online as they would in person. By fostering a culture of respect, you can help your kids build healthy online relationships.

Our top 3 tips for becoming a good digital citizen:

• Promote constructive feedback: Encourage your children to give positive and constructive feedback online. This helps create a supportive atmosphere where everyone feels valued.
• Teach the power of kindness: Show your children the importance of kindness and how a simple positive comment can make someone's day.
• Encourage participation in positive communities: Help your children find and join online communities that promote respectful interactions. This gives them role models for good netiquette. We've partnered with PROJECT ROCKIT to empower young people with skills, empathy and confidence to build inclusive communities. 

Think before you post

What goes online stays online. Teaching kids to think before they post can help them avoid sharing inappropriate or harmful content.

Teach your kids about the permanence of online posts. Encourage them to stop and think about the impact of their words and images before sharing them online. Remind them that once something is posted, it can be difficult to remove. Being aware helps protect their digital footprint and future opportunities.

Our top 3 tips for posting wholesome content:

• Show them the permanence of their digital footprint: Help children understand that what they post online can have long-lasting consequences. Encourage them to think carefully before sharing anything. Remind them that their digital footprint is permanent.
• Activate privacy settings: Teach children how to use privacy settings on social media and other online platforms to control who can see their information.
• Share appropriately: Guide them on what is OK to share and what should remain private. This includes avoiding sharing personal information, inappropriate images or sensitive details.

Handle negative online behaviour

Despite our best efforts, children might still encounter negative behaviour online. Encourage them to speak to a trusted adult if they feel cuber bullied or come across hate speech, inappropriate content or anything else that makes them uncomfortable. Teaching them how to respond appropriately helps them manage these situations effectively.

Our top 3 tips for handling negative online behaviour:

• Report and block: Show your children how to report inappropriate content or harmful behaviour and block users who are being disrespectful.
• Stay calm: If your child encounters appropriate content online, discuss the incident calmly and explain why the content is inappropriate.
• Seek support: Ensure your children know they can come to you or another trusted adult if they experience or witness negative behaviour online. Support your child emotionally and seek professional help if needed.

For more information on how to report negative online behaviour, visit the eSafety Commissioner’s website.

Teaching netiquette is important

It helps your children navigate the online world safely, respectfully and positively. By setting clear expectations, monitoring usage and encouraging positive interactions, you can guide your children to be responsible digital citizens.