Like all of us, young children are increasingly living in a digital world.
Children as young as two years old might be watching videos online, playing with internet-connected toys, or playing games online without parents/carers being aware.
Young children see their parents/carers, older siblings and the other adults in their lives using a range of internet-connected technologies including computers, mobile phones, tablets and smart TVs, speakers and watches into their day-to-day communications and for entertainment.
Children’s interactions with technologies and the internet will continue to grow over time, especially as new and emerging technologies like generative artificial intelligence continue to develop.
When guided by their parents/carers and used in a balanced way, the internet offers young children many opportunities for learning, exploration, creativity and connection with family and friends. But using the internet also brings the need for children and adults to be safe online.
Why early conversations about the internet matter
When parents/carers and children talk about the internet together from an early age, it helps build children’s digital knowledge and skills. For example, children can become aware that the internet is a network of connected technologies used by people. Some people using the internet are known to children and some are unknown. It is important that young children start to understand that people use networked technologies to talk to each other and share information and that the internet is not just a device they use or an activity they do on that device.
Early conversations about the internet foster open communication and trust within the parent/carer-child relationship. Parents/carers learn about their child’s current understanding about the internet, as well as what they are interested in and enjoy doing online. It sends a strong message to their child that they are always there to listen and that they can go ask their adults for help. Parents/carers play a key role in guiding their children, including through active supervision, as they begin to connect online and learn through play and social interaction.
Using the internet is part of everyday life, so conversations about it should be too. Image: Fizkes.
Derek McCormack, Director of Raising Children Network says that "By starting the conversation early, parents and carers are not only fostering a shared understanding of the internet, but also setting the groundwork for children and young people to keep talking about their online experiences. This becomes particularly important as children get older and might need to talk or share concerns about anything happening online.”
Supporting families and those who work with them
Supported by the Australian Research Council, a number of universities and industry partner organisations including Raising Children Network, the ABC, the Australian Federal Police, the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, Project Synthesis Early Childhood Australia and the eSafety Commissioner have come together to provide guidance for educators and families about digital technology use by young children, including how to support young children with online safety education.
One resource developed through the collaboration is an animated video designed for parents/carers of children aged 2-5 years – Start the Chat: What does your young child understand about the internet? The animation includes ideas about how to start a conversation about the internet and how to explain the internet in an age-appropriate way.
Loading...Kirsten Holland, General Manager of Program and Practice at Catholic Early EdCare says: “This video is such a useful starting point for any adult, carer or educator supporting young children, to kick start a conversation about our connected world, determine your expectations around the use of the internet, and more importantly, it creates a safe and open space for young children to ask questions, or debunk some of those myths.”
Explore more resources to help start the chat about using the internet
Visit - the Raisings Healthy Minds app
View - Play School: Kiya’s Excellent eBirthday
Download - resources for Play School: Kiya’s Excellent eBirthday
Read - Safer Internet Day: Start the chat about online safety
Start the Chat: What does your young child understand about the internet? was developed in collaboration with Raising Healthy Minds, Australian Federal Police, Alannah & Madeline Foundation, eSafety Commissioner, Australian Catholic University and Monash University with funding from the Australian Research Council Linkage Program LP190100387.