These tips are designed for families to keep safe online, on their phones and out and about.

Tips for parents

As a parent, you want to keep your family safe and secure as much as possible. The more you learn, the more you can make informed decisions about your children’s activities and devices. You might like to read eSafety tips for parents.

The following tips are designed to help your children stay safe.

Be safe with your mobile

Your mobile phone is a great way to keep in touch with your family and friends, and get help if you need it. To keep yourself safe:
 

• Do not give your phone number or address to someone you do not know;
• Do not reply to a text from someone you do not know and do not send pictures of yourself to them;
• Do not reply to any nasty messages you receive – it is better to block numbers from people who are sending you nasty messages;
• If you are bullied repeatedly, tell your parents or teacher and you could also consider changing your number.

If you receive physical threats, be sure to report the threat to your school and WA Police on 131 444.

Be safe on the streets

If you walk to school or around the community, it is important to be aware of your surroundings:
 

• Look ahead and around you when walking and crossing the road;
• Keep your eyes on the traffic – try not to be distracted by your phone while walking to and from school;
• Walk with your friends when possible and look after each other;
• If you have you headphones on, make sure you can still hear what is happening around you, such as traffic sounds and emergency sirens;
• Plan your trip and tell a friend or your parents where you are going;
• Stay on the well-lit path and avoid shortcuts;
• If you feel someone is following you, run for safe place, tell a trusted adult and report this to WA Police on 131 444. 

Be aware of others

Be very careful if someone you do not know calls, invites you for a chat online or approaches you or one of your friends offering you a gift or a lift home. For your safety:
 

• Do not talk to strangers online or in person;
• Do not give your details or accept a suspicious chat invitation from strangers;
• Ensure your social media accounts, email and mobile phone are secure;
• Walk away to a safe place;
• Tell someone about this such as your parents or teacher.

Even if you do know somebody, if you feel that their behaviour towards you is inappropriate, unwanted or threatening in any way, online or in person, it is important to speak up.  Talk to an adult you can trust and, if you feel there is a threat to your safety or illegal behaviour taking place, report this to WA Police on 131 444.

Be a supportive friend

Good friends will help each other stay safe, be there to support each other through tough times and keep each other away from trouble:
 

• If you feel that one of your friends may be in trouble, call for help and do not walk away;
• Walk with your friends to school and if they want to take a short cut, say no and stop them if you can safely do this;
• If a friend is not feeling well or being bullied, ask if they are ok;
• Tell your parents, their parents or a teacher or adult you trust and help them to get help.

Your friend may not be happy about this at first but you may just save their life.

Find out more

If you need somebody to talk to, phone Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or visit their website.

Kids Helpline is a free service for anybody between 5 and 25 who needs help, advice or someone to talk to.

Visit the Kids Helpline website

 
For more safety tips and ideas, visit the Constable Care website.

Visit the Constable Care website