 Internet Safety
Safety for children and young people on the Internet is front-page news and Bravehearts is committed to doing all we can to ensure that young people and their parents or carers are informed on how to ensure the Internet is a safe experience.
The Internet is opening new opportunities for everyone, promoting creativity and effective learning. Children and young people are using the Internet more and more, and from earlier ages.
To use technology effectively requires an awareness of the benefits and risks.
The Internet has opened up the world and can be a fun and exciting place where people can keep in touch with each other, share information, keep up with news and events, and research and learn.
However, just like in the real world, the Internet has potential dangers and risks. It is important that parents/carers and young people are aware of these risks and of the steps you can take to minimise them.
Cyber Safety Help Button 
The Cybersafety Help Button is a new Australian Government initiative designed to keep children and families safe online. It is an online resource that gives children and young people easy access to cybersafety help and information.
The Cybersafety Help Button is an online resource hub that gives children and teenagers instant access to help and information on cybersafety issues 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The button is a free application available from the website of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Once downloaded, it sits on the computer desktop or within the taskbar. When the button is clicked, users are taken directly to a web page where they can talk, report or learn about cybersafety issues.
The Cybersafety Help Button was developed in consultation with the Government's Youth Advisory Group and the Consultative Working Group on Cybersafety.
The Cybersafety Help Button is available free of charge at www.dbcde.gov.au/helpbutton. It is compatible with all major Windows and Mac OSX operating systems and is easily installed onto home, school and library computers.
For more information on the Cybersafety Help Button email helpbutton@dbcde.gov.au
Making a Complaint
While you can always contact Bravehearts if you have any questions or concerns (see our contact page), specific complaints and concerns should be passed on to the relevant authorities. Concerns about behaviour on the Internet
If you have any concerns about online behaviour (for example in chatrooms and instant messaging) you can contact the Online Child Sex Exploitation Team (OCSET) through the Australian Federal Police.
If you are in immediate danger or you believe a young person is at immediate risk, you should call 000 or your local police station. OCSET can be contacted via e-mail ( national-ocset-omc@afp.gov.au)
The more specific information you can provide to OCSET the better. NetAlert suggests that you try to have the following information prepared when making a report.
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The name of the chatroom, website or instant message provider
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When the incident happened (time and date)
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All the information you know about the alleged offender, including username of the person
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Copies of any text of the chat or message that you may be able to retrieve
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Reasons for why you are making the report
Concerns About Offensive Material
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is able to investigate the publication of potentially illegal material on the Internet.
Complaints to the ACMA must be submitted in writing either:
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Through the complaints forms available on the ACMA website ( click here) -
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By post (The Content Assessment Hotline Manager, Australian Communications and Media Authority, GPO Box Q600, Queen Victoria Building, NSW 1230)
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By fax: (02) 9334 7799
Helpful Websites
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