Top tips for protecting your children online

Top tips for protecting your children online
Thursday, 8 April 2021

Research commissioned by InternetNZ shows that 92% of New Zealanders are concerned about children accessing inappropriate content online and potential bullying.  Although this is a top concern the overwhelming majority of those surveyed (9/10) felt that the benefits of using the internet outweighed the risk.

With the rising prevalence of social media, and a requirement to use the internet for learning at school, children today are growing up with an unparalleled level of access to data. However, with so much adult content saturating the internet, even infiltrating mainstream sites like Pinterest or Instagram, protecting our children from inappropriate content can feel like an impossible task.

InternetNZ outreach and engagement director Andrew Cushen says the survey is a reminder for families to talk with each other about the different types of content found online, and to talk about what to do if they come across any upsetting content. "We need to ensure that people of all ages feel safe on the Internet," he says.

What are ISP family filter services in NZ?

Family Filter is a parental control tool internet providers offer to block unwanted content, such as pornographic, offensive and malicious websites from being displayed to children. ISPs use intelligent firewalls to keep your kids safe from the not so great corners of the web. Learn more about family filters here

Which Broadband Providers offer family filter services?

These top broadband providers provide ISP family filter services, along with high-speed fibre broadband plans with unlimited data.

EXCLUSIVE
39

Unlimited Fibre 300 Get $22 off your standard price for...

from $75.00 /mo
First 12 months then 97.00/month
300Mbps 100Mbps
Unlimited data
EXCLUSIVE
39

Unlimited Fibre 300 Get $22 off your standard price for...

Sign up for the Orcon Fibre plan through Broadband Compare and get $22 monthly discount for 12 months! Bundle your broadband and power and get 10% bundle discount on both services. Get $5/mth off for
Terms and Conditions apply

Full plan details

Contract options

12 months

Terms and conditions

  • 12-month term applies to all plans, exit fees of $250 apply.
  • Standard pricing applies after 12 months.
  • **Average Orcon Fibre plan (Fibre 100 or Fibre 300, depending on location) or Fibre Pro plan (Fibre Max) download/upload speeds with compatible modem at busy times (SamKnows December 2021 or Orcon November 2021). Experienced speeds may be higher or lower. For more information on how we measure speeds visits.(SamKnows December 2021)  More info
  • An extra 10% discount applies for Power and Broadband Bundles. The 10% discount is applied after all other offers. 

Full T&Cs's

EXCLUSIVE
41

Unlimited Fibre 300 Unlimited Fibre 300 Plan for ONLY $...

from $87.00 /mo
First 12 months then 97.00/month
300Mbps 100Mbps
Unlimited data
EXCLUSIVE
41

Unlimited Fibre 300 Unlimited Fibre 300 Plan for ONLY $...

Sign up to Slingshot's 300Mbps Unlimited Fibre Plan and pay ONLY $87/month. T&Cs apply. Sign up on a 12-month contract and pay only $87/month! Also, bundle your broadband and power and get $20/mth Bu...
Terms and Conditions apply

Full plan details

Contract options

12 months

Included features

Family filter

Terms and conditions

  • Offer is available to new customers only.
  • A minimum 12-month contract applies. Early Termination fee of $250 applies.
  • Not available in conjunction with any other offer. 
  • Offer will revert to standard prices as advertised on Slingshot.co.nz after 12 months.
  • The promotion is valid for a limited time only and is subject to change by Slingshot without notice.
  • Free standard installation.
  • Brand new Orbi Wi-Fi 6 Router is $5/month rental with a one-off $14.95 delivery charge or Bring your own device.
  • Additional add on MESH Satellite units:​
    • 1 Satellite Unit ($5/month) - recommended for homes between 150 and 300sqm
    • 2 Satellite Units ($10/month) - recommended for homes greater than 300sqm
  • Modem to be returned if customer cancels.
  • Refer to the Slingshot website for more FAQ`s regarding modems.
  • Receive $5/m broadband discount for each mobile plan added - no more than 4 mobile plans on the new sign-up are allowed.

Slingshot Broadband Ts&Cs
Bundle Discount Terms & Conditions

Stuff Fibre

Stuff Fibre’s SafeZone helps filter out adult content, social media or anything undesirable should you need to. It is simple to use, with nothing to install, you can turn filters on and off from anywhere and it protects every device connected to your home network.

Orcon

Orcon’s Family Filter is a non-intrusive first line of defence against R16+ sites; dating, drugs, gambling; alcohol and tobacco sites; known hacked or infected sites; sites about hacking and illegal activity; and suicide or self-harm site. It is usually included free in the first 12 months for new broadband customers, then for $5 per month.

Slingshot

Slingshot’s Family Filter protects your family against 16+ sites, pornography, and nudity; known hacked or infected websites; dating, drugs, gambling, alcohol, tobacco sites; websites about hacking, dark web, and other illegal activity; and suicide and self-harm sites. It is usually included free in the first 12 months for new broadband customers, then for $5 per month.

Megatel

Megatel’s premium mesh Wifi extender features robust parental controls to block inappropriate content and restrict time spent online. The Wifi extender is perfect for a large family. It provides a fast and seamless connection so you can work and play from anywhere within your home. You no longer have to experience weak signals and dead zones as the signal can reach from the basement to the rooftop. 


Top online safety tips for parents:

Set clear expectations 

Talk to your children about the types of behaviours you’d like them to adopt online. For example, which apps and social media sites they use, how long they spend online, and the types of content you feel is appropriate. This is likely to be an ongoing and evolving conversation as online behaviour is likely to depend on the age of your child and what you feel comfortable with.

Understand what your children are doing online

Showing an interest in the things your children do online is a key first step as it helps build your understanding of their online world, and creates a relationship where it will be easier to have more difficult conversations about it in the future. 
Talk to your children about what they are using the internet for. Are they using the internet for learning? To create videos or music? To create friendships and communicate? Who’s in their network? What information are they sharing? What types of games are they playing?

Give it a try yourself

If you don’t understand a game, app or network your child is using online try it yourself. Putting yourself in their shoes is the best way to get an understanding of the challenges young people face online. Take the time to explore website and apps and read the terms and conditions. You could even ask your child to show you how it works as a way to start a conversation around online safety.

Set a good example

Take a look at the example you are seeing for your children when it comes to device use and online behaviour. How often do you use your smartphone or laptop at the dinner table or during family activities? Do you ask permission before you publish family photos on social media? Do you need to brush up your knowledge around online safety, privacy or online shopping

Teach your children these top basics about online safety:

  • Use strong passwords to protect your information
  • Protect your information online - for example, login details, bank account details, addresses, phone numbers, birthdates.  Talk about the personal details children might sharing online, such as where they are, which school they attend, or apps that share your current location with friends or the public.
  • Not everything is as it seems. It may seem obvious to you, but sometimes children don’t understand that people are not who they say they are online. 
  • Digital footprint – teach your child to think about everything they post online forming part of their permanent digital footprint.
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