Queensland Police are warning parents and guardians to increase online supervision during the upcoming school holidays, a period identified as high-risk for online predators targeting children.

Detective Acting Inspector Cory Schmidt, from the Queensland Police Service’s specialist unit Argos, highlighted the importance of discussing online safety with children. He noted that while locking doors may protect children physically, risks can already exist on devices they use at home.

“Parents and carers should consider where in the house children use internet-connected devices, as online offenders can go to extraordinary lengths to exploit children,” Detective Acting Inspector Schmidt said. “It is important to have conversations that equip children with the knowledge to recognise unsafe situations, including interactions with online ‘friends’ they have never met in person.”

Recent research by the eSafety Commissioner shows one in four young people have been contacted online by someone they do not know. The report, Digital use and risk: Online platform engagement among children aged 10 to 15, also found that one in seven children reported experiencing grooming-type behaviour from adults or older children, such as being asked about private parts or to share nude images.

Detective Acting Inspector Schmidt encouraged parents to discuss safe online practices, including keeping passwords private, showing respect online, and taking action against cyberbullying. He also emphasised that reporting suspected child abuse is a shared responsibility.

Tips to protect children online:

• Talk openly: Maintain regular, non-judgemental conversations with children.

• Share their online world: Engage with children’s social media positively and stay aware of their activity.

• Report concerns: Contact police immediately on Triple Zero if a child is at risk.

More information is available at the Queensland Police Service website: Reporting Cybercrime: Children and the Internet.