First Phones Programme

Passwords and pin codes help protect your profiles and accounts. Set up pins and passwords straight away – and don’t share them with anyone.

Think twice before sharing personal info publicly—it can lead to identity theft. Keep key details such as passwords, address, birthdate and location services on apps private.

A digital footprint is the trail of ‘electronic breadcrumbs’ you leave behind online. It can last long after you think something has been deleted, so think carefully before you post.

Be kind and respectful online, even if others aren’t. Don’t get drawn into arguments, or hostile conversations. Deep breath and walk away.

Communicating online is exciting, but when meeting new people make sure to stop snd think what do I truly know about them. When it comes to invites or conversations, ask yourself do I really know this person? If the answer is no it’s best not to engage.

If something seems off, say something! A parent or teacher can help. Always speak up about any nasty or strange behaviour and keep your online space positive. Block out the negativity

Your fears might not be their issues. To learn more about how your kid spends their time online, establish an open dialogue. It’ll help you beat your assumptions, and better understand what they’re up to online.

Now you know what they’re doing, it’s time to try it yourself. The best way to learn their online world is to explore it. Film a TikTok, make a meme, ask them what emojis mean to their age group. Get familiar with digital environments to be in the know.

Now you’re clued up it’s time to come to an agreement. When co-creating rules for their digital life, you want them to be supportive and reasonable. Intense rules tend to be cast aside. Finding a balance is the key to creating a useful agreement.

Don’t skip school. If young people don’t know how to recognise a scam, or how to block distressing content, or report someone who is harassing them, then school is in, and you’re the teacher. And if you’re not a confident teacher, ask a family member or friend to give you a hand.

Let’s not lie to ourselves, kids aren’t the only ones who pick up bad phone habits. Have a think about how you use your phone so you can be the best role model for your family.

Create a support network the whole whānau has access to. Perhaps it’s your school, Netsafe, Youthline or Safe to Talk. Is there a adult they feel comfortable talking to if things get awkward and they can’t tell you? Whatever the plan looks like, make sure everyone knows what’s up.