Cyber Safety Tips: Helping Kids Stay Safe with Mobile Phones

Mobile phones are a big part of growing up today. They connect young people to friends, learning, creativity, and entertainment, but they also open the door to risks and challenges that parents and caregivers didn’t have to think about a generation ago.

Supporting your child’s online safety isn’t about fear or restriction, it’s about building trust, teaching skills, and guiding them as they explore the digital world. With the right conversations, tools, and boundaries, mobile devices can remain a positive part of their lives.

The Digital World Has Changed And So Have the Risks

Smartphones have become central to how kids communicate, learn, and socialise. But online risks are evolving quickly. In 2025, parents should be aware of:

AI-generated content and impersonation: “Deepfakes” and fake accounts can mimic real people, making scams and grooming harder to spot.
Ephemeral messaging: Apps like Snapchat and Instagram Stories encourage content to disappear, which can make harmful behaviour harder to trace.
Image-based abuse: Sharing intimate images without consent is illegal in Australia and can have devastating consequences.
In-app purchases and microtransactions: Many games and apps include gambling-like elements that can encourage overspending.
Mental health and screen time: Constant connectivity can impact sleep, mood, and self-esteem, especially for teens.
Location tracking and privacy: Apps that share real-time locations can pose safety risks if not properly managed.

Understanding these issues is the first step in helping kids navigate them confidently and safely.

Setting Your Child Up for Safe Mobile Use

The best online safety tool is always open communication. Here are some ways to support safe and positive mobile use:

Talk early and often: Start conversations about online safety before they get their first phone. Make it an ongoing dialogue, not a one-off lecture.
Set clear expectations: Discuss what’s appropriate to share online, how to treat others, and what to do if they feel uncomfortable.
Agree on boundaries: Decide together on screen time limits, app permissions, and times when devices are put away (like family meals or bedtime).
Explore together: Ask your child to show you their favourite apps and games. Showing genuine interest builds trust.
Encourage critical thinking: Teach them to question what they see online, think before they post, and recognise when something feels “off.”
Model good habits: Kids learn from what we do. Demonstrate healthy phone use, balance, and respectful online behaviour yourself.

A New Essential: Parental Controls and Safety Settings

Parental controls are not about “spying”, they’re about supporting your child’s digital independence safely. Most smartphones now come with powerful built-in tools that let you manage access, monitor activity, and protect privacy.

Here’s how to get started:

On Apple (iOS) Devices

Use Screen Time (in Settings) to:

Set daily time limits for apps, games, or social media
Block access to adult content and filter web browsing
Require approval for app downloads or in-app purchases
Review how much time is spent on each app
Limit communication (calls, texts, FaceTime) to trusted contacts

Apple’s parental control guide: Use parental controls on your child’s iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

On Android Devices

Use Google Family Link (a free app) to:

View and manage app activity and screen time
Set daily time limits and device bedtime
Approve or block apps before they’re downloaded
Track the device’s location
Adjust content restrictions for age-appropriate browsing

Google’s parental control guide: Set up parental controls with Family Link

Tip: Review these settings together with your child and explain why you’re using them. Transparency builds trust and reduces resistance.

Recognising and Responding to Online Problems

Even with the best guidance, kids might still encounter harmful content, cyberbullying, scams, or inappropriate requests. Here’s how you can help:

Seek professional support. Services like Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) and headspace offer free, confidential support.

Stay calm and supportive. If your child tells you about a problem, listen without judgement.

Save evidence. Take screenshots or note details before blocking or reporting harmful behaviour.

Report abuse. In Australia, the eSafety Commissioner can help with cases of cyberbullying, image-based abuse, or illegal content.

Block and report users. Most apps allow you to block contacts and report harmful messages directly.

Legal Protections You Should Know

Australia has some of the strongest online safety laws in the world. Under the Online Safety Act, sharing intimate images without consent, serious cyberbullying, and certain types of online abuse are illegal — and action can be taken to have harmful content removed quickly.

It’s also worth checking your state or territory’s policies on phone use in schools. For example:

Helpful Resources for Families

eSafety Commissioner – Parent Hub: esafety.gov.au/parents
Report abuse or harmful content: esafety.gov.au/report
Image-based abuse help: esafety.gov.au/image-based-abuse
Kids Helpline: kidshelpline.com.au | 1800 55 1800
Headspace: headspace.org.au
Common Sense Media (app and media reviews): commonsensemedia.org

Raising digital natives can feel daunting, but you don’t need to be a tech expert to keep your child safe. The most powerful safety tool you have is your relationship with them. By combining trust, conversation, practical settings, and reliable resources, you can give your child the confidence and skills they need to explore the digital world safely and positively.