Tips for Safe Device Use and Cyber Safety

Whether they’re gaming, watching YouTube, or chatting with friends, it’s important that our children are kept safe while online.

Excessive screen time and unsupervised use of social media can expose children to potential dangers such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, or strains on their physical and mental health. Too much screen time has been linked to poor sleep, decreased physical activity, and increased feelings of anxiety or isolation.

Here are some simple ways you can support safe and healthy device use during the holidays:

✅ 5 Simple Cyber Safety Tips for Kids & Whānau:

1. Set Screen Time Limits ⏳
   Keep a healthy balance between screen time and offline activities like outdoor play, creative projects, or board games. Use timers or create a simple schedule to help manage this.

2. Know What They're Doing Online 💬
   Sit with your child while they’re online. Ask them what they’re watching or playing. Be curious and stay involved.

3. Use Kid-Friendly Platforms 🛡️
   Stick to age-appropriate apps and websites. Platforms like YouTube Kids, ABC Kids, and Kiddle (kid-safe search engine) are great starting points.

4. Teach the 3 Golden Rules 📱

   • Don’t share your personal information (name, school, address).

   • Tell a trusted adult if something online makes you feel upset, scared, or confused.

   • Be kind and respectful in online chats or games.

5. Use Parental Controls 🔒
   Check settings on devices, streaming services, and gaming platforms. Set up filters or use apps like Family Link (Google) or Screen Time (Apple) to manage content and monitor use.

📚 Awesome Resources for Whānau:

• Netsafe NZ – Practical cyber safety tips for families:
  www.netsafe.org.nz/advice/parenting

• Hector’s World – A fun online safety series for younger children:
  www.hectorsworld.netsafe.org.nz

• Commonsense Media – Reviews and advice on games, shows, and apps:
  www.commonsensemedia.org

• The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt - Book which argues that the spread of smartphones, social media and overprotective parenting have led to a "rewiring" of childhood and a rise in mental illness.

  - Oprah Winfrey interview with Jonathan Haidt

💡 Term Break Challenge:

Why not create a family device contract? Sit down together and decide on some simple device rules that everyone agrees on — like no devices at the dinner table or 30 minutes of tech-free play before bed.

Kia mōhio, kia haumaru, kia tika ~ Be informed, be safe, do what's right online.