Let’s be honest—keeping kids safe online feels overwhelming. Between TikTok, Roblox, Snapchat, Fortnite, and whatever new app launches next week, it’s hard to keep up. As a parent in Brisbane (or anywhere in Australia), you’re not just competing with screen time—you’re up against algorithms designed to keep kids scrolling, gaming chats full of strangers, and scams targeting children who don’t know better.

The good news? You don’t need to become a tech expert to protect your kids online. You just need a few simple, practical rules that actually work in real life.

At InnovateX Solutions, we protect Queensland businesses from cyber threats every day. But we’re also parents, neighbours, and community members who understand that online safety starts at home. That’s why we’ve put together this straightforward guide—no fluff, no jargon, just actionable advice you can implement today.

1. Devices Charge in Your Bedroom at Night

Why This Rule Works

The simplest online safety rule is also the most effective: no phones or tablets in kids’ rooms after bedtime.

Here’s what research from the Australian eSafety Commissioner shows: most problematic online interactions happen between 9 pm and 1 am, when kids are alone in their rooms, tired, and less likely to make good decisions. Cyberbullying escalates late at night. Online predators know this is when kids are vulnerable. Late-night gaming chats can turn toxic fast.

How to Implement It
Create a charging station in your bedroom or the kitchen:
  • Set a clear time (e.g., “All devices charge here from 9 pm”)
  • Make it non-negotiable—no exceptions for “just five more minutes”
  • Lead by example—charge your own phone there too
  • Use an alarm clock for wake-ups, not their phone
What to expect: Your kids will push back initially. “But everyone else gets to keep their phone!” Stand firm. This single rule prevents late-night social media drama, improves sleep quality, and removes the opportunity for risky online behaviour when you’re not around. Pro tip: For teenagers, explain that this isn’t about trust—it’s about creating healthy boundaries. Even adults struggle with late-night scrolling. You’re helping them develop better habits.

2. Don’t Share School Information Online

The Hidden Danger Most Parents Miss

When your child posts a photo in their school uniform, tags their location at the local shopping centre, or mentions their school’s name in their TikTok bio, they’re giving strangers a roadmap to find them in real life.

Recent Queensland examples:
  • A Brisbane teenager was approached by someone who knew her school, after-school routine, and favourite cafe—all information gathered from her public Instagram account
  • Scammers target kids from specific schools with fake “school fundraiser” messages
  • Online predators use school information to build false trust (“I went to that school too!”)
What Kids Need to Know

Teach your children these simple rules:

Never post:
  • School name or logo
  • Photos in school uniform
  • Before/after school locations
  • Sports team names or venues
  • School event details
Why it matters: Location information + routine = vulnerability. If someone online knows where your child goes to school and what time they finish, that’s a safety risk.
Make It Practical

Instead of saying “never post anything,” help them understand:

  • ✅ “Great game today!” with a photo at home after = Safe
  • ❌ “At Smith Park for rugby practice, 4 pm every Tuesday!” = Unsafe

For younger kids: Use the “stranger test”—if you wouldn’t give this information to a stranger on the street, don’t post it online.

3. Know Who They’re Talking To

Gaming Chat: The Hidden Frontline

If your child plays Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft, or any online game, they’re in chat rooms with strangers. This is where online grooming often begins.

The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation reports that gaming platforms are increasingly used by predators because:

  • Kids are relaxed and having fun (lowered guard)
  • Voice and text chat feel less “serious” than social media
  • Predators pose as other kids or “friendly” older players
  • Kids share personal information naturally during gameplay
“Who’s That?” Should Be Normal

Make it a regular conversation:

  • Ask casually: “Who are you playing with today?”
  • Show interest: “What’s that person’s username? Are they from your school?”
  • Listen for red flags: Adult voices in kids’ games, people offering gifts/game currency, requests to move to private chats
This isn’t helicopter parenting—it’s digital supervision. Just like you’d want to know who your child is at the park with, you should know who they’re chatting with online.

Red Flags in Gaming Chats

Be concerned if someone online:

  • Asks your child to keep their conversations secret
  • Offers free game currency (V-Bucks, Robux) or account upgrades
  • Wants to move to private messaging or video calls
  • Asks personal questions (age, school, where they live)
  • Acts unusually interested in your child specifically
Action step: Set up a family rule—gaming happens in common areas where you can hear conversations. Not to eavesdrop constantly, but to be present.

4. If It Sounds Too Good… It’s a Scam

Kids Are Prime Scam Targets

Australian kids lose thousands of dollars annually to online scams, and the numbers are growing. The most common scams targeting children:

Free game currency scams:

  • “Free Robux generator—just enter your password!”
  • “Get 10,000 V-Bucks! Click here!”
  • Result: Stolen accounts, malware, or compromised credit cards

Fake giveaway scams:

  • Instagram/TikTok accounts promising iPhones or gaming consoles
  • “Like, share, and comment to win!”
  • Result: Personal information harvested, spam, identity theft attempts

Phishing targeting kids:

  • Emails claiming their Spotify/Netflix/gaming account needs “verification”
  • Messages saying they’ve won a competition they never entered
  • Result: Stolen passwords, access to family accounts
Teaching the “Too Good to Be True” Rule

Make it simple:

  • If someone offers you something free (that normally costs money), it’s a scam
  • If you have to give your password to get something, it’s a scam
  • If it sounds too good to be true, it is

Real-world practice: When you see ads together or they mention something online, ask: “Does that sound too good to be true?” Help them develop the critical thinking muscle.

What to Do When They Fall for a Scam

Stay calm. Kids won’t tell you about scams if they think they’ll get in massive trouble. Instead:

  1. Thank them for telling you
  2. Change passwords immediately on any affected accounts
  3. Check bank/credit card statements for unauthorized charges
  4. Report it to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au)
  5. Use it as a learning moment without harsh punishment

Prevention: Consider using a password manager (like 1Password for Families) so kids can have strong, unique passwords without needing to remember them—reducing the temptation to reuse passwords or share them.

5. Tell Me If Someone Makes You Uncomfortable

Creating a Judgment-Free Zone

This is the most important rule. None of the other safety measures work if your child is too scared or embarrassed to tell you when something goes wrong online.

Why Kids Don’t Tell Parents

Children stay silent about online problems because they:

  • Fear losing device privileges
  • Feel ashamed or embarrassed
  • Think it’s their fault
  • Worry you’ll overreact
  • Don’t want to disappoint you
  • Believe you “won’t understand”
How to Build Trust

Regular, low-pressure conversations:

  • “Anything weird happen online this week?” (casual, not interrogation)
  • Share your own online experiences (spam emails, weird messages)
  • Normalize that uncomfortable things happen online to everyone

React calmly when they do tell you:

  • Don’t immediately take the device away (this teaches them to hide problems)
  • Thank them for telling you: “I’m really glad you came to me with this”
  • Problem-solve together: “What should we do about this?”
  • Follow through: Show them you’ll help, not just punish
What “Uncomfortable” Looks Like

Help kids understand that “uncomfortable” online might mean:

  • Someone asks them to keep secrets
  • Conversations turn to topics that feel weird
  • Someone much older wants to be their “friend”
  • They receive messages that make them feel scared or confused
  • Someone pressures them to share photos
  • Bullying or mean comments from others

The rule: “If something online makes you feel weird, confused, scared, or uncomfortable—even if you’re not sure why—tell me. You won’t be in trouble. I promise.”

Bonus: Practical Tech Setup Tips

Quick Wins for Better Online Safety

While the five rules above are your foundation, here are some quick technical wins:

On iOS devices:

  • Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions
  • Set age-appropriate content restrictions
  • Require approval for app downloads

On Android devices:

  • Google Play → Settings → Family → Parental controls
  • Use Google Family Link for children under 13

On home WiFi:

  • Many modern routers (like Unifi) have built-in parental controls
  • Set internet “bedtime” hours automatically
  • Block inappropriate content at the network level

Gaming consoles:

  • Xbox Family Settings app (parents’ phones)
  • PlayStation Family Management settings
  • Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app

Important: Technology helps, but it’s not a replacement for conversations and supervision. Think of tech controls as seatbelts—essential safety features, but not a substitute for careful driving.

Frankly, we also recommend banning Roblox as a game as it’s proven countless times that the game does not support child safety.

When to Seek Professional Help

Australian Resources for Online Safety Issues

If you discover serious online safety concerns (predatory behaviour, explicit content involving minors, serious cyberbullying):

eSafety Commissioner

NOTE: Whilst we don’t agree with everything the eSafety Commissioner is pushing (i.e., Restriction on Free Speech and Social Media Bans), there are some excellent resources available on their website.
  • Phone: 1800 880 176
  • Website: esafety.gov.au
  • Can help with image-based abuse, serious cyberbullying, illegal content

Policelink (Queensland)

  • Phone: 131 444 (non-urgent)
  • Emergency: 000
  • For suspected grooming, threats, or criminal activity

Kids Helpline

  • Phone: 1800 55 1800
  • 24/7 counseling for young people
  • Online chat available

Parentline

  • Phone: 1300 30 1300
  • Support for parents dealing with challenging situations

Don’t hesitate to reach out. These services are there to help, not to judge. Early intervention can prevent serious harm.

Protecting Your Business Online Too

Just Like Your Family, Your Business Needs Protection

If you’re reading this as a Queensland business owner, you already understand the importance of online safety. The same vigilance you apply to protecting your children should extend to protecting your business.

At InnovateX Solutions, we bring enterprise-grade cyber security to small and medium businesses across Brisbane and the Pine Rivers region—without the enterprise price tag or unnecessary complexity.

Our services include:

  • Cyber Security Assessments: Identify vulnerabilities before attackers do
  • Essential Eight Implementation: Achieve compliance with Australian government security frameworks
  • Managed Security Services: 24/7 monitoring and threat detection
  • ICT Consulting: Strategic advice tailored to Queensland SMBs
  • Employee Security Training: Your staff are your first line of defense
Special Offer: Pine Rivers Carols Community Appreciation

As a thank you to our Pine Rivers community, we’re offering a FREE Cyber Security Assessment (valued at $500) to local businesses.

Simply mention “Pine Rivers Carols” when you contact us.

This comprehensive assessment includes:

  • Review of your current security posture
  • Identification of critical vulnerabilities
  • Prioritized recommendations
  • Compliance gap analysis (Essential Eight, SMB1001)
  • No-obligation consultation on next steps
Book your free assessment

Conclusion: Simple Rules, Real Protection

Keeping your kids safe online doesn’t require you to become a cybersecurity expert. It requires:

✅ Clear, simple rules (devices charge in your room)
✅ Open communication (know who they’re talking to)
✅ Age-appropriate education (scams, school information, red flags)
✅ A judgment-free environment (they can tell you anything)
✅ Consistent follow-through (rules apply every night, not just sometimes)

Start tonight: Implement the device-charging rule. That single change will make an immediate difference in your family’s online safety.

Remember, you’re not alone in this. Every Australian parent is navigating the same challenges. By taking these practical steps, you’re doing what matters most—protecting your children while teaching them to protect themselves.

About InnovateX Solutions

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InnovateX Solutions is a Brisbane-based IT consulting and managed services provider, specialising in bringing enterprise-grade cyber security to Queensland small and medium businesses. We’re proud supporters of the Pine Rivers community and passionate about making technology safer for families and businesses across the region.

Services: ICT Consulting | Cyber Security | Managed Services | Essential Eight Compliance | Virtual CIO Services

Contact: innovatexsolutions.com.au | 07 2000 5636 | [email protected]