Online publishing

Information sheet

Publishing on the internet provides children with a global audience. It is fun and allows them to explore their creativity in an unrestricted environment. However, in order to maximise the benefits and minimise the risks when publishing on the web or creating personal websites, guidelines should be established, clearly communicated and adhered to, to ensure the safety of children.

Children need to be aware that people searching the internet can view information that it published online, whether it is on a web page, newsgroup or blog. Children should know that once something is published it is available for all to see.

Safety guidelines for children should include:

• not publishing personal addresses and telephone numbers; and
• not publishing details which might enable the identification of the child.

Recommended guidelines

NetAlert recommends these guidelines to protect children when publishing images or text on the web.

1. Ask your parent or carer first if you can create your own website.
2. Involve your family in your web design project. Ask your parent or carer if they would like to help you with your project.
3. Be aware that what you publish online is available for everyone to see and that people searching on the internet can view your information and use it for purposes that you may not have intended. So be careful about what information and images you put on your web site. Remember not to put things on your web site you wouldn’t want a stranger to see.
4. Do not publish personal details such as your name, home address, telephone number, email address, name of your family members or other information which might make you individually identifiable.
5. Be careful if adding any external links to your web site—they may take you to unsafe areas.
6. Ensure that no identifying personal information accompanies photographs.
7. Group photos rather than individual photos are a safer option for publishing on the internet.
8. Be careful of the type of photos or images published on your website—they should be appropriate and not attract any undue negative attention.
9. You should get permission from your parent or carer before publishing any photographs on your website.

About NetAlert

NetAlert is the Australian Government’s online safety program, set up to protect Australian families online. NetAlert is part of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). It offers independent, sensible, helpful and reliable advice and information about potential problems, dangers and threats on the internet and ways to minimise or avoid these problems.

Tel: 1800 880 176
Email: netalert@acma.gov.au
Web: www.netalert.gov.au