AFP urges parents to protect their kids' online passwords and devices
Editor's note: Audio from AFP Commander Hilda Sirec is available for download.
The AFP is urging parents to regularly update software and security on their children's devices to help shield them from online predators.
The AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) is warning that predators have attempted to take over childrens' accounts by using compromised passwords.
AFP Commander for the ACCCE Hilda Sirec said undertaking regular security updates on devices was the best protection against intrusions or attempts to install malware on a victim's computer.
Once a predator has control of a child's account, they can assume that identity to try to obtain child exploitation material from other children.
Some malware can also enable a computer's camera to be turned on remotely.
That means a predator, who has compromised an account, could turn the camera on your child's computer.
"We are encouraging parents to start 2022 – and ahead of the new school year – with good online habits, especially given many students will have their own tablet or mobile phone for the first time,'' Commander Sirec said.
"Predators seek to exploit any vulnerability whether it's personal or technical. While no computer system or device is impenetrable, anybody can achieve a high level of security through updates and antivirus protection."
Commander Sirec said students should also be taught early about the importance of maintaining good password security and how to detect suspicious links that could contain malware.
"A predator will seize on any opportunity to steal a password to gain access to an account and exploit the instant credibility that provides them with,'' Commander Sirec said.
"We also encourage parents to practice good password security.
"This includes using different passwords for different accounts and making the password hard to guess with a mixture of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols."
Online child sexual exploitation can be reported to the ACCCE or call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available, visit the ACCCE to learn more.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protection children online can be found at ThinkUKnow, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety.
Fifty per cent of parents don't know what to do to keep their kids safe online. Just 3 per cent of parents are concerned about online grooming. And sadly, most believe online child sexual exploitation is too repulsive to even think about.
A podcast launched last year by the ACCCE 'Closing The Net' is working to change that, showcasing that knowledge is power and that our only chance to help prevent this issue is if we bring a 'whole-of-community' response.
The podcast series offers valuable tips and advice on how to keep kids safe online.
It has recorded more than 75,000 downloads and trended number one on Australian documentary podcasts, highlighting the demand for information and resources to help protect kids when they're online. Listen to the Closing the Net podcast on your favourite streaming platform.
Note to media:
Use of term 'CHILD ABUSE' MATERIAL NOT 'CHILD PORNOGRAPHY'
The correct legal term is Child Abuse Material – the move to this wording was among amendments to Commonwealth legislation in 2019 to more accurately reflect the gravity of the crimes and the harm inflicted on victims.
Use of the phrase "child pornography" is inaccurate and benefits child sex abusers because it:
- indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser; and
- conjures images of children posing in 'provocative' positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.
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