Safer Children, Safer Communities
Teach children how to navigate online safely, report risks, and find support.
This project, completed in October 2024, addressed the unique needs of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in teaching children and parents/carers about predatory behaviour.
We understand that discussions of a sexual nature can be very confronting for people of certain cultures and communities. Our expertise lies in navigating these sensitive topics in culturally appropriate ways, ensuring that vital information reaches CALD communities effectively.
Project Overview
- Funded by Westpac
- Worked with six CALD communities
- Two-year duration
- Built on our successful pilot program, that focused on Colombian and Somali migrant communities
Key Aims
- Teach participants how to report abuse
- Increase internet safety
- Teach good practices for device and social media use
- Explain how to set up parental controls and privacy functions
- Raise awareness on Australian laws, rights and responsibilities
Approach
- Program co-design together with communities
- Delivered culturally sensitive solutions
- Brought together parents, carers, children and youth
- Focused on preventing child sexual exploitation, including online
- Encouraged use of parental controls and eSafety Commissioner resources
- Taught how to seek help when needed
CALD Child Friendly Network
We formed the first CALD Child Friendly Network, consisting of key adult and youth influencers from participating communities. The Network:
- Discussed community issues
- Enabled peer learning and capacity-building
- Kept up-to-date on tackling emerging online dangers
Further Resources
Protecting Your Family Online
While our project focuses on prevention and education, it’s important to know where to turn if you encounter online threats. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) provides valuable resources on cybercrime:
- Learn about different types of cybercrime threats
- Understand how to protect yourself and your family online
- Find out how to report cyber incidents
Online Safety Resources
Our project aims to educate CALD communities about online safety, but ongoing protection is crucial. The eSafety Commissioner provides comprehensive resources for families:
- Learn about various online harms like cyberbullying and image-based abuse
- Access information in multiple languages
- Find tailored advice for parents, young people, and children
- Discover how to report harmful online content