Filters labels and safe zones
PC filters
Server-level filters
Labels
Safe zones
Look for the ladybird symbol
Along with active parental guidance and supervision, there are a number of tools which can help parents create a positive internet experience for their children.
Filters, labels and safe zones are technological tools that work in different ways to manage children’s online access and to block unsuitable material.
These tools can be used to reduce the risk of exposure to unsuitable or illegal sites, to prevent children giving away personal information to strangers online and to set time limits for internet access.
When deciding which tools are the most appropriate for your family, it may be useful to consider the level of guidance needed from you and balance this against your children's ages and the range of content they may need to access.
PC filters
PC filters are software programs installed on your computer which offer a range of different functions to block, screen or monitor unwanted content. Many filters can also be customised to suit the internet activities of each user. Listed below are some common features of PC filters.
- Category blocking enables you to select from a range of content categories (for example gambling, pornography) and decide which to block and which to allow.
- Time controls allow you to limit internet access to certain times of the day, or to limit the amount of time your child spends on the internet.
- Logging enables parents to track and record a history of sites visited by their child.
- Service blocking allows you to block or filter access to certain services, such as peer-to-peer, social networking or online games.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regularly updates a list of prohibited content. These web pages are blocked by the internet content filters listed under the Internet Industry Association Family Friendly Filters program.
Server level filters
Server-level filters are able to block internet content before it reaches your home. These filters are most commonly provided by internet service providers (ISPs).
The Government is examining the introduction of ISP filtering for material that is deemed Refused Classification (RC) in accordance with the National Classification Scheme and the ACMA complaints process. Content defined as RC predominantly comprises child sexual abuse imagery.
The Government is also considering additional ISP filtering options for those families who wish to have such a service.
Further information about ISP filtering and other Government cybersafety measures can be found on the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy website.
Remember, internet filters are no substitute for parental guidance and supervision. No filtering tool can block all unsuitable material. As the internet is vast and constantly changing, lists of blocked sites must be continuously updated for the filter to work effectively. Even then, some undesirable sites may still slip through the filter.
Labels
Labelling tools attach descriptive tags to internet sites. Most browsers can read these labels and be programmed to block access to websites, or advise when sites are unsuitable for children. Labelling tools can also complement filtering tools.
Websites can be labelled according to how suitable they are for children or to identify the sort of material that they contain, for example, medium-level sexual activity.
These tools, together with a web browser, enable you to set levels of access for labelled sites, blocking access to anything above those levels. Some browsers also allow you to restrict access to unlabelled sites.
While labelling tools are useful, most websites are still unlabelled.
The Internet Content Rating Association (ICRA)
The ICRA (part of the Family Online Safety Institute, an international, non-profit organisation of leading internet industry companies) has created a content description system which allows web masters and digital content creators to self-label their content in categories, such as nudity, sex, language or violence
Safe zones
Safe zones are secure networks offering access to a range of sites specially designed for children, and therefore with little risk of exposure to inappropriate content. Many safe zones are free of charge but some are subscription based, requiring a special login and password as they are protected from other areas on the Internet.
Tips for filters, labels and safe zones
- For pre-school-aged children, consider using safe zones and exploring other child-friendly sites with your child.
- For older children, consider tools that filter access to chat rooms and prevent giving out personal information.
- New internet users should choose easy-to-install tools that provide automatic free updates on lists of blocked sites.
- Examine what sort of material the tool covers and the options to adjust what is blocked.
- Consider how often lists of blocked sites are updated and whether the updates are free and automatic.
- Remember that web browsers can be set up with labelling tools to manage internet access.
Look for the ladybird symbol
The Internet Industry Association (IIA) has a Family Friendly Internet Service Provider (ISP) Seal Program which is designed to provide a visible symbol, the ’ladybird seal’ on websites so that families are able to identify whether their ISP complies with industry codes. The Internet Industry Association (IIA) is Australia's industry body for internet commerce, content and connectivity.
Australian ISPs bearing this seal have agreed to comply with the IIA Codes of Practice. Under the IIA Codes, ISPs are required to provide their users with certain information, safety advice, plus the option of obtaining a ‘IIA Family Friendly’ content filter