ONLINE SAFETY & CONTENT FILTERING

 

This page aims to provide you with some guidance on potential issues relating to online safety.

Your personal security and the safety of your children whilst online activity is a priority for us, so please make yourself familiar with this page.

TFT is a proud promoter of the safe use of the internet, protecting Australians, and raising awareness of the Industry Codes of Practice.  We wish to make sure your devices and your personal information stays secure while connected to the worldwide online ecosystem

 

The Broadcasting Services Act established a regulatory scheme for online content. The ACMA has registered a code of practice maintained by Communications Alliance.

 

Your Children:

Supervision is key, there is no better way to protect your children from inappropriate content widely available. Imagine a global library of content, available to you at the click of a button.

Ongoing education, and courses are also available for children of all ages. It is the adult’s responsibility to lead by example and assist children with understanding how to separate the positive from the negative content.

 

Common Tips:

• Lack of regular communication, it is often found that if a parent stays ahead of the game by continuously having a dialogue with children about what they do online, they would be able to prevent some undesirable outcomes.
• Investigate appropriate software solutions that help protect your children from viruses and other infiltrating mechanisms
• Enrol your children in e-learning courses to assist them with understanding communication methods in the online space
• Watch out for any potential Cyber Bullying Activities by discussing the importance of specific rules and inclusion of all online users

Recommended Basic Rules when using the Internet and social media:

• Never reveal any details that could be used to physically trace you, such as your real name, address, phone number, school name or friends; names.
• If something appears on the screen in front of you, and you find it disturbing, you should let your parents, teacher or friends know.
• If you hear or see your friends not doing the right thing on social media, remind them of the potential dangers and how to do the right thing.
• Remember that not everything you read in chats and social media is true and people may not be who they say they are. Be smart and make decisions for yourself on what you think is right and wrong.
• Let your parents know when you’ve made a new friend online.

Family Friendly Filters

What are filters?
Filters are generally computer programs that allow parents and system administrators to control a list of permitted and blocked websites and programs.

More information about filters and staying safe online can be obtained from the Office of the eSafety Commissioner

What are the “Family Friendly Filter” programs?
With a large number of filters available on the internet, the Communication Alliance has created the Family Friendly Filter program list to assist you with choosing the filter program to suit your family.

To qualify for Family Friendly Filter status, these filters are subjected to rigorous independent testing to ensure that it meets the criteria as set out in the relevant Industry Code.

 

Classes of accredited Family Friendly Filters

There are 4 levels of classification for certified filters:

• These filters block websites on the eSafety Commissioner’s Prohibited URL Filter (PUF) list, and are recommended for 18+ years of age
• Class 1: Recommended for children over 15 years of age
• Class 2: Recommended for children between 10 and 15 years of age
• Class 3: Recommended for children under 10 years of age

 

Certified Family Friendly Filters

• Norton Family Premier
  Recommended for children over 15 years of age (Class 1)
• Family Zone
  Recommended for children under 10 years of age and older (Class 3)

For more information, please visit Communications Alliance’s Friendly Family Filters page.

 

Keeping Your TFT Account Safe

Your TFT account contains information such as your contact details, address and details about your TFT service so it is important to keep it safe.

Here are a few tips to keep your TFT account secure:

• Regularly scan your computer for viruses and malware.
• Be cautious about using an untrusted computer to enter your TFT login details.
• Never share your passwords or usernames over email, instant messengers or social media. If you need to record any password or username, write it down on a piece of paper and keep it somewhere safe.
• Do not use the same password for multiple websites.
• Update your TFT password regularly.

 

Additional Online Resources:

Stay Smart Online is an Australian Government Initiative designed to provide all Australian online users with practical tips and advice on e-security. This website contains basic information on how to secure your computer, best practice tips for smart transacting online, and information on keeping young people safe online.

Office of the eSafety Commissioner provides a range of information, tools and educational material for parents and schools.

Complaints

Offensive or illegal online content can be reported via the Office of the eSafety Commissioner.

If you are unable to submit your complaint using this form, and you are an Australian resident, you may be able to make a complaint by emailing [email protected]. In your email, please provide specific URL information and the reasons why you believe the content should be prohibited.

If you need to report any criminal activity, please go to Crime Stoppers online or call 1800 333 000. Reports can be anonymous.