National Children’s Week (24 October to 1 November 2020) celebrates the rights of all children and young people to join groups and safely connect with others. This week presents an important opportunity to promote the participation and empowerment of children and young people to speak up in both a physical and online environment.

Technology has allowed children and young people to make and maintain friendships and explore a global community where they can share ideas and interests, have fun and learn collaboratively. However, it’s important that children and young people know how to safely navigate the virtual world and understand its potential risks. These include cyberbullying, unsolicited contact (including the potential for grooming) and exposure to inappropriate content or imagery.

Talking to children and young people about online safety is one of the best ways to ensure that they are connecting responsibly. The eSafety Commissioner has developed a range of useful resources about online safety for parents, carers, children and young people: https://www.esafety.gov.au/

The Department of Health and Human Services has published a downloadable colouring sheet designed to engage directly with young children and to support organisations, parents and carers to start a conversation with children about safety. This colouring sheet is available in Arabic, Chinese Simple, Chinese Traditional, Dari, Dinka, English, Persian, Somali, Vietnamese. For more information and resources about child safety in an online environment, please visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/news/national-childrens-week-2020.