Latest blogposts

For too long big tech companies have been given a free pass allowing them to benefit their bottom line rather than the safety of users.

Online Safety Act reforms

Watch Australia and Fiji's Online Safety Commissioners share their experiences leading two of world’s first online safety commissions.

In conversation: Australia and Fiji work together to tackle online harms

The eSafety Commissioner discusses how online hate can translate into real world harm during a Parliamentary Joint Committee hearing.

Online extremist movements and radicalism in Australia

Domestic violence

The eSafety Commissioner calls for technology-facilitated abuse to be addressed by the NSW Joint Select Committee on Coercive Control.

Calling out technological tethers in coercive control

Governments, regulators, digital companies and advocates need to ensure innovation and investment genuinely have the best interests of children at heart.

Kids

UNCRC General Comment: Children’s rights in the digital world

If your child is being cyberbullied you may want to rush in to help them. But beware! Follow these tips so you don't make the situation worse.

Cyberbullying

Want to confront your child's cyberbully? Think before you act!

It's important to get your child into the habit of asking for help when they are using digital devices, so they come to you when they face safety risks.

How to support your child to play confidently online

The back-to-school period is a great time to review your child’s online safety.

Back-to-school: top tips for parents

Image-based abuse

We discuss what can go wrong when Australians attempt to make money from their intimate content and how eSafety may be able to help.

The risky business of making money from nudes and other intimate content

After decades working across online privacy, security and safety, the eSafety Commissioner has never been more fearful for children online.

Protection of children should always trump protection of privacy

The rise in Australians working, studying and socialising online due to COVID-19 has brought unanticipated challenges for eSafety in 2019-20.

Another big year keeping Australians safer online

Our kids need to use good judgement and critical thinking to keep them safe online, sort fact from fiction and combat misinformation.

Online reasoning skills for kids are critical

We are developing two dynamic and interactive Safety by Design self-assessment tools for early stage and more established tech companies.

Research

Building a culture of online safety is much more than a tick box exercise

Limiting your child’s exposure to social media — sometimes the hardest, but the smartest move.

Violence and abuse against women is a scourge on our society. Online, it's often a deliberate tactic to silence women’s voices.

Domestic violence

Combatting technology-facilitated abuse within gendered violence

Protecting voices at-risk online

The pandemic has revealed not only how fundamental technology has become to the way we work, learn, socialise and access key information and services, but also how online environments can be weaponised to perpetuate abuse.

This week, four tech titans – Google, Apple, Amazon and Facebook – find themselves in the virtual hot-seat as they testify before the U.S.

Investing in a safer internet

Not sure where to start? 4 tips to help you get involved with your child’s social media safety.

Fight or flight? 4 tips to get involved with your child’s social media

To mark our 5th birthday, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant reflects on the road travelled, and the road ahead

5 years of eSafety a reflection of the road ahead

The importance of online safety education

eSafety sets a framework for A+ online safety education

If you’re a parent or carer with young kids who are just starting their own online journey, the idea of online safety can seem daunting at first.

5 things to look for in an app

Universities have always thought of themselves as communities, from the ancient idea of the “community of scholars,” right through to the modern university, which is so much more reflective of the broader community around it.

Keeping universities safer online

If you are the target of online abuse remember, it is not your fault. Follow these practical steps you can take to protect yourself and to deal with the abuse.

COVID-19: online safety help for women

Rapid transition has increased and intensified a range of online safety risks for students, teachers and parents

COVID-19: 5 steps to keep students safe during online learning

Why Zoom bombed when it should have soared

As COVID-19 changed the way the world works, learns and plays, Zoom rapidly became the darling of the internet.

Just as we are all practicing social distancing and frequent hand-washing during the COVID-19 pandemic, so must we model responsible, safe and respectful behaviour online, too.

All nations confront an online threat to children

The COVID-19 crisis has brought about a major shift in the online behavior of Australians. Though almost unimaginable now, only a few weeks have passed since workers and students filled offices, schools and universities in person.

COVID-19: Online risks, reporting and response

Domestic violence

COVID-19: online safety help for domestic and family violence workers

The technology we use to stay connected can also be used to inflict domestic and family violence.

Tips to reduce your child's exposure to unwanted contact online, particularly from sexual predators.

COVID-19: Protecting children from online abuse

Targeted regulatory interventions, including Abhorrent Violent Material laws and ISP blocking protocols, are critical to combatting the spread of terrorism online.

Christchurch shifted the online world on its axis

Make the best of being stuck at home by ensuring you can find reliable information, stay connected with family and friends, and help your children stay safe online.

COVID-19: an online safety kit for parents and carers

How schools can support students, staff and families online during COVID-19.

COVID-19: keeping schools and learning safe online

Seniors

COVID-19: online safety tips to help older Australians with social distancing

How to use the internet safely to monitor the coronavirus situation, stay connected and shop while practising social distancing.