‘Serious consequences for Australian democracy': Author uses prize speech to warn against censorship
Australian author Michelle de Kretser has described feeling afraid of speaking publicly about the conflict in Gaza and warned against the serious consequences of censorship as she accepted the 2025 Stella Prize for her book Theory & Practice.
In her acceptance speech for the prestigious literary award, the Sri Lanka-born author said she believed truthful speech about what the Israeli government is doing in Gaza is being shut down and accused the Australian government of being complicit with 'material and diplomatic support'.
'That complicity has had serious consequences for Australian democracy. We've seen scholars, creatives and journalists silenced, their funding revoked and their contracts cancelled for expressing anti-genocide views ... We've seen our institutions and our media betray the principles they're supposed to uphold,' she said.
'We've seen language suffer Orwellian distortions. We've seen our leaders pander to the anti-Arab racism of that global bully the United States. And all of this damage has been done to prop up Israel: a brazenly cruel foreign power, whose leaders are internationally wanted criminals.'
According to the Sydney-based author, the aim of this suppression is to intimidate.
'In Australia today it isn't those applauding mass murder who have cause to be afraid, but those speaking out against it. Principally targeted are Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, First Nations people, people of colour, queers,' she said.
'All the time I was writing these words, a voice in my head whispered, You will be punished. You will be smeared with labels as potent and ugly as they're false.'
'I'm still afraid. But I've just accepted a prize that is not about obedience. It's not about feel-good narratives, it's not about marketing, it's not even about creativity – Stella is about changing the world.'
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Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Inflation warning as conflict in Middle East escalates
Iran's potential retaliation to US military strikes could lead to a surge in the price of fuel and higher inflation in Australia, economists say. Motorists have already seen a slight rise in the cost of fuel after the US launched strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities. While Australian consumers have been told not to panic about the Middle Eastern unrest, escalating conflict in the region could lead to further price hikes, AMP chief economist Shane Oliver says. "The real risk would be if intervention by the US sets off retaliation by Iran that disrupts oil supplies," he told AAP. "If Iran do successfully block the Strait of Hormuz, then you'll end up with a bigger spike in oil prices and petrol and that will have a severe economic impact." Mr Oliver said petrol would rise by 25 cents per litre in the likely event oil prices skyrocketed to more than $100 a barrel. He said an increase in petrol costs could push up inflation, which would flow on to other parts of the economy. "If the oil price went to $100 to $150 a barrel and it's a much bigger boost to inflation, the Reserve Bank of Australia would be inclined to wait before cutting interest rates again," he said. "The price of airfares could go up, as well as plastic prices, which affects a lot of household goods." Australian Travel Industry Association chief executive Dean Long said airfares were not likely to increase immediately following the escalation in conflict in the Middle East. However, he said travellers heading through the Middle East on the way to Europe would likely face longer journeys. "The increase in congestion is causing delays," he told AAP. "With the narrowest flight path in recent memory - with Russia, Ukraine, Iran and Israel closed - the airspace is very narrow to get to Europe. "Beforehand, there were multiple ways to catch up delays and stay on times, but in reality, there is a very narrow window to catch up delays, and there is less room for error by the airlines." Mr Long said there had not been any major disruptions for Australian travellers so far and urged passengers not to cancel their flights. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has backed America's intervention in the conflict between Iran and Israel. While Iran should not have access to nuclear weapons, Mr Albanese said a de-escalation was needed.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Israel hits Evin jail, strikes on Tehran 'biggest yet'
Israel targeted Evin prison in Tehran, one of the most potent symbols of Iran's governing system, in what Israel called the most intense bombing yet of the Iranian capital, a day after the United States joined the war by blasting nuclear sites. Iranon Monday repeated earlier threats to retaliate against the United States. But it had yet to do so in a meaningful way more than 24 hours after US bombers dropped 13,600 kg bunker-busters on its underground nuclear sites, while US President Donald Trump openly mused about overthrowing the Iranian government. Oil prices barely budged on the first trading day after the US joined the war, suggesting traders doubted Iran would follow through on threats to disrupt oil supplies from the Gulf. The Mizan news outlet of Iran's judiciary confirmed that the prison had been hit. It said part of the building was damaged but the situation was under control. A video posted by Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar on X showed an explosion at a building with a sign identifying it as an entrance to Evin prison in northern Tehran and the accompanying words: "Viva la libertad!" - Spanish for 'Long live liberty.' Evin has been the primary prison for housing political detainees and security prisoners, notably since Iran's 1979 revolution, and the site of executions that remain potent symbols for the opposition. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made clear that Israel was no longer limiting its attacks to its initial stated targets such as Iran's nuclear program and missiles, and would go after the Tehran government's ability to maintain power. "The IDF is currently striking, with unprecedented force, regime targets and governmental repression bodies in the heart of Tehran," he said in a statement. Since Trump joined Israel's campaign by dropping massive bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday morning, Iran has repeatedly threatened to retaliate. But while it has continued to fire missiles at Israel, it has yet to take action against the United States itself, either by firing at US bases or by targeting the 20 per cent of global oil shipments that pass near its coast at the mouth of the Gulf. "Mr Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it," Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya central military headquarters, said on Monday in English in a recorded video statement. Trump's administration has repeatedly said that its aim is solely to destroy Iran's nuclear program, not to open a wider war. But in a social media post on Sunday, Trump spoke of toppling the hardline clerical rulers who have been Washington's principal foes in the Middle East since Iran's 1979 revolution. "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!" he wrote. Experts surveying commercial satellite imagery said it appeared that the US attack had severely damaged the site of Iran's Fordo nuclear plant, built inside a mountain. Trump called the strike a "Bullseye!!!" Israel's air strikes on Iran have met little resistance from Iranian defences since Israel launched its surprise attack on June 13, killing many of Iran's top commanders. But Iran's ability to retaliate is far more limited than a few months ago, since Israel inflicted defeat on Iran's most feared regional proxy force, Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran's most powerful client ruler, Syria's Bashar al-Assad, fell soon after. Iran's most effective threat to hurt the West would be to restrict global oil flows from the Gulf, but oil prices have not shot up to crisis levels. Iranian MPs have discussed shutting the Strait of Hormuz that leads into the Gulf, though no decision has been taken. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio played down the threat. "It's economic suicide for them if they do it. And we retain options to deal with that," he said. Israel targeted Evin prison in Tehran, one of the most potent symbols of Iran's governing system, in what Israel called the most intense bombing yet of the Iranian capital, a day after the United States joined the war by blasting nuclear sites. Iranon Monday repeated earlier threats to retaliate against the United States. But it had yet to do so in a meaningful way more than 24 hours after US bombers dropped 13,600 kg bunker-busters on its underground nuclear sites, while US President Donald Trump openly mused about overthrowing the Iranian government. Oil prices barely budged on the first trading day after the US joined the war, suggesting traders doubted Iran would follow through on threats to disrupt oil supplies from the Gulf. The Mizan news outlet of Iran's judiciary confirmed that the prison had been hit. It said part of the building was damaged but the situation was under control. A video posted by Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar on X showed an explosion at a building with a sign identifying it as an entrance to Evin prison in northern Tehran and the accompanying words: "Viva la libertad!" - Spanish for 'Long live liberty.' Evin has been the primary prison for housing political detainees and security prisoners, notably since Iran's 1979 revolution, and the site of executions that remain potent symbols for the opposition. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made clear that Israel was no longer limiting its attacks to its initial stated targets such as Iran's nuclear program and missiles, and would go after the Tehran government's ability to maintain power. "The IDF is currently striking, with unprecedented force, regime targets and governmental repression bodies in the heart of Tehran," he said in a statement. Since Trump joined Israel's campaign by dropping massive bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday morning, Iran has repeatedly threatened to retaliate. But while it has continued to fire missiles at Israel, it has yet to take action against the United States itself, either by firing at US bases or by targeting the 20 per cent of global oil shipments that pass near its coast at the mouth of the Gulf. "Mr Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it," Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya central military headquarters, said on Monday in English in a recorded video statement. Trump's administration has repeatedly said that its aim is solely to destroy Iran's nuclear program, not to open a wider war. But in a social media post on Sunday, Trump spoke of toppling the hardline clerical rulers who have been Washington's principal foes in the Middle East since Iran's 1979 revolution. "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!" he wrote. Experts surveying commercial satellite imagery said it appeared that the US attack had severely damaged the site of Iran's Fordo nuclear plant, built inside a mountain. Trump called the strike a "Bullseye!!!" Israel's air strikes on Iran have met little resistance from Iranian defences since Israel launched its surprise attack on June 13, killing many of Iran's top commanders. But Iran's ability to retaliate is far more limited than a few months ago, since Israel inflicted defeat on Iran's most feared regional proxy force, Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran's most powerful client ruler, Syria's Bashar al-Assad, fell soon after. Iran's most effective threat to hurt the West would be to restrict global oil flows from the Gulf, but oil prices have not shot up to crisis levels. Iranian MPs have discussed shutting the Strait of Hormuz that leads into the Gulf, though no decision has been taken. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio played down the threat. "It's economic suicide for them if they do it. And we retain options to deal with that," he said. Israel targeted Evin prison in Tehran, one of the most potent symbols of Iran's governing system, in what Israel called the most intense bombing yet of the Iranian capital, a day after the United States joined the war by blasting nuclear sites. Iranon Monday repeated earlier threats to retaliate against the United States. But it had yet to do so in a meaningful way more than 24 hours after US bombers dropped 13,600 kg bunker-busters on its underground nuclear sites, while US President Donald Trump openly mused about overthrowing the Iranian government. Oil prices barely budged on the first trading day after the US joined the war, suggesting traders doubted Iran would follow through on threats to disrupt oil supplies from the Gulf. The Mizan news outlet of Iran's judiciary confirmed that the prison had been hit. It said part of the building was damaged but the situation was under control. A video posted by Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar on X showed an explosion at a building with a sign identifying it as an entrance to Evin prison in northern Tehran and the accompanying words: "Viva la libertad!" - Spanish for 'Long live liberty.' Evin has been the primary prison for housing political detainees and security prisoners, notably since Iran's 1979 revolution, and the site of executions that remain potent symbols for the opposition. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made clear that Israel was no longer limiting its attacks to its initial stated targets such as Iran's nuclear program and missiles, and would go after the Tehran government's ability to maintain power. "The IDF is currently striking, with unprecedented force, regime targets and governmental repression bodies in the heart of Tehran," he said in a statement. Since Trump joined Israel's campaign by dropping massive bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday morning, Iran has repeatedly threatened to retaliate. But while it has continued to fire missiles at Israel, it has yet to take action against the United States itself, either by firing at US bases or by targeting the 20 per cent of global oil shipments that pass near its coast at the mouth of the Gulf. "Mr Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it," Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya central military headquarters, said on Monday in English in a recorded video statement. Trump's administration has repeatedly said that its aim is solely to destroy Iran's nuclear program, not to open a wider war. But in a social media post on Sunday, Trump spoke of toppling the hardline clerical rulers who have been Washington's principal foes in the Middle East since Iran's 1979 revolution. "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!" he wrote. Experts surveying commercial satellite imagery said it appeared that the US attack had severely damaged the site of Iran's Fordo nuclear plant, built inside a mountain. Trump called the strike a "Bullseye!!!" Israel's air strikes on Iran have met little resistance from Iranian defences since Israel launched its surprise attack on June 13, killing many of Iran's top commanders. But Iran's ability to retaliate is far more limited than a few months ago, since Israel inflicted defeat on Iran's most feared regional proxy force, Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran's most powerful client ruler, Syria's Bashar al-Assad, fell soon after. Iran's most effective threat to hurt the West would be to restrict global oil flows from the Gulf, but oil prices have not shot up to crisis levels. Iranian MPs have discussed shutting the Strait of Hormuz that leads into the Gulf, though no decision has been taken. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio played down the threat. "It's economic suicide for them if they do it. And we retain options to deal with that," he said. Israel targeted Evin prison in Tehran, one of the most potent symbols of Iran's governing system, in what Israel called the most intense bombing yet of the Iranian capital, a day after the United States joined the war by blasting nuclear sites. Iranon Monday repeated earlier threats to retaliate against the United States. But it had yet to do so in a meaningful way more than 24 hours after US bombers dropped 13,600 kg bunker-busters on its underground nuclear sites, while US President Donald Trump openly mused about overthrowing the Iranian government. Oil prices barely budged on the first trading day after the US joined the war, suggesting traders doubted Iran would follow through on threats to disrupt oil supplies from the Gulf. The Mizan news outlet of Iran's judiciary confirmed that the prison had been hit. It said part of the building was damaged but the situation was under control. A video posted by Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar on X showed an explosion at a building with a sign identifying it as an entrance to Evin prison in northern Tehran and the accompanying words: "Viva la libertad!" - Spanish for 'Long live liberty.' Evin has been the primary prison for housing political detainees and security prisoners, notably since Iran's 1979 revolution, and the site of executions that remain potent symbols for the opposition. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made clear that Israel was no longer limiting its attacks to its initial stated targets such as Iran's nuclear program and missiles, and would go after the Tehran government's ability to maintain power. "The IDF is currently striking, with unprecedented force, regime targets and governmental repression bodies in the heart of Tehran," he said in a statement. Since Trump joined Israel's campaign by dropping massive bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday morning, Iran has repeatedly threatened to retaliate. But while it has continued to fire missiles at Israel, it has yet to take action against the United States itself, either by firing at US bases or by targeting the 20 per cent of global oil shipments that pass near its coast at the mouth of the Gulf. "Mr Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it," Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya central military headquarters, said on Monday in English in a recorded video statement. Trump's administration has repeatedly said that its aim is solely to destroy Iran's nuclear program, not to open a wider war. But in a social media post on Sunday, Trump spoke of toppling the hardline clerical rulers who have been Washington's principal foes in the Middle East since Iran's 1979 revolution. "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!" he wrote. Experts surveying commercial satellite imagery said it appeared that the US attack had severely damaged the site of Iran's Fordo nuclear plant, built inside a mountain. Trump called the strike a "Bullseye!!!" Israel's air strikes on Iran have met little resistance from Iranian defences since Israel launched its surprise attack on June 13, killing many of Iran's top commanders. But Iran's ability to retaliate is far more limited than a few months ago, since Israel inflicted defeat on Iran's most feared regional proxy force, Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran's most powerful client ruler, Syria's Bashar al-Assad, fell soon after. Iran's most effective threat to hurt the West would be to restrict global oil flows from the Gulf, but oil prices have not shot up to crisis levels. Iranian MPs have discussed shutting the Strait of Hormuz that leads into the Gulf, though no decision has been taken. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio played down the threat. "It's economic suicide for them if they do it. And we retain options to deal with that," he said.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Parents aren't monitoring kids online, despite most knowing tools available
More than half of Australian parents are not using online safety parental controls, new research provided exclusively to ACM has found. The survey of 1007 Australian parents of children aged 17 and younger, commissioned by the photo and video app Snapchat, examined awareness levels, uptake and attitudes towards online safety parental tools. It found that while 82 per cent of Australian parents are aware of online safety parental controls, 57 per cent are not using them on apps and online platforms. The survey found that when Australian parents do use parental tools, the overwhelming majority find them helpful. Of the 66 per cent that have used online safety parental controls, 92 per cent say they help them keep their family safer online, and 93 per cent would recommend their use to other families. Parents of teens were less likely to have used parental tools and controls than those with children 5-12 years old. The research comes amid an under-16s social media ban in Australia, which will come into effect later this year. The laws will capture platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit and X (formerly Twitter). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at the time that social media is doing "social harm" to young Australians, and he was calling time on it. "The safety and mental health of our young people has to be a priority, and my government will do all that we can to protect our young Australians, but also to provide support for parents and teachers who are dealing with these issues. Snapchat's global safety head Jacqueline Beauchere rejected the ban in August 2024, saying the decision was one that should be left to families. "Arguably, a young person could potentially be a bit more mature at 16 than they are at 13, but that is for an individual family to decide, and that's based on a number of factors," she told AAP. "These decisions really need to be made as a family unit with, hopefully, parents involved or other caregivers or guardians or other trusted adults, to really know if that young person is ready to be part of social media." Cybersafety consultant Susan MacLean said parents were grappling with a digital world that many didn't experience when they themselves were growing up. Ms MacLean said while awareness of parental controls was growing, too many Australian parents still aren't utilising the options available to them. "When young people become teenagers, often getting a mobile phone for the first time, their use of technology can increase substantially," she said. "So using parental tools is just as important for families with high schoolers at home, to help ensure they are set up for safer experiences online." It was important that parents of teenagers were using safety tools, not just parents of primary school-aged children. She advised parents to speak to their children regularly about how to stay safe online, set up accounts and devices together and establish clear rules about the use of technology as well as parental safety tools. "Parental tools should be a vital part of any family's online safety strategy," she said. More than half of Australian parents are not using online safety parental controls, new research provided exclusively to ACM has found. The survey of 1007 Australian parents of children aged 17 and younger, commissioned by the photo and video app Snapchat, examined awareness levels, uptake and attitudes towards online safety parental tools. It found that while 82 per cent of Australian parents are aware of online safety parental controls, 57 per cent are not using them on apps and online platforms. The survey found that when Australian parents do use parental tools, the overwhelming majority find them helpful. Of the 66 per cent that have used online safety parental controls, 92 per cent say they help them keep their family safer online, and 93 per cent would recommend their use to other families. Parents of teens were less likely to have used parental tools and controls than those with children 5-12 years old. The research comes amid an under-16s social media ban in Australia, which will come into effect later this year. The laws will capture platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit and X (formerly Twitter). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at the time that social media is doing "social harm" to young Australians, and he was calling time on it. "The safety and mental health of our young people has to be a priority, and my government will do all that we can to protect our young Australians, but also to provide support for parents and teachers who are dealing with these issues. Snapchat's global safety head Jacqueline Beauchere rejected the ban in August 2024, saying the decision was one that should be left to families. "Arguably, a young person could potentially be a bit more mature at 16 than they are at 13, but that is for an individual family to decide, and that's based on a number of factors," she told AAP. "These decisions really need to be made as a family unit with, hopefully, parents involved or other caregivers or guardians or other trusted adults, to really know if that young person is ready to be part of social media." Cybersafety consultant Susan MacLean said parents were grappling with a digital world that many didn't experience when they themselves were growing up. Ms MacLean said while awareness of parental controls was growing, too many Australian parents still aren't utilising the options available to them. "When young people become teenagers, often getting a mobile phone for the first time, their use of technology can increase substantially," she said. "So using parental tools is just as important for families with high schoolers at home, to help ensure they are set up for safer experiences online." It was important that parents of teenagers were using safety tools, not just parents of primary school-aged children. She advised parents to speak to their children regularly about how to stay safe online, set up accounts and devices together and establish clear rules about the use of technology as well as parental safety tools. "Parental tools should be a vital part of any family's online safety strategy," she said. More than half of Australian parents are not using online safety parental controls, new research provided exclusively to ACM has found. The survey of 1007 Australian parents of children aged 17 and younger, commissioned by the photo and video app Snapchat, examined awareness levels, uptake and attitudes towards online safety parental tools. It found that while 82 per cent of Australian parents are aware of online safety parental controls, 57 per cent are not using them on apps and online platforms. The survey found that when Australian parents do use parental tools, the overwhelming majority find them helpful. Of the 66 per cent that have used online safety parental controls, 92 per cent say they help them keep their family safer online, and 93 per cent would recommend their use to other families. Parents of teens were less likely to have used parental tools and controls than those with children 5-12 years old. The research comes amid an under-16s social media ban in Australia, which will come into effect later this year. The laws will capture platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit and X (formerly Twitter). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at the time that social media is doing "social harm" to young Australians, and he was calling time on it. "The safety and mental health of our young people has to be a priority, and my government will do all that we can to protect our young Australians, but also to provide support for parents and teachers who are dealing with these issues. Snapchat's global safety head Jacqueline Beauchere rejected the ban in August 2024, saying the decision was one that should be left to families. "Arguably, a young person could potentially be a bit more mature at 16 than they are at 13, but that is for an individual family to decide, and that's based on a number of factors," she told AAP. "These decisions really need to be made as a family unit with, hopefully, parents involved or other caregivers or guardians or other trusted adults, to really know if that young person is ready to be part of social media." Cybersafety consultant Susan MacLean said parents were grappling with a digital world that many didn't experience when they themselves were growing up. Ms MacLean said while awareness of parental controls was growing, too many Australian parents still aren't utilising the options available to them. "When young people become teenagers, often getting a mobile phone for the first time, their use of technology can increase substantially," she said. "So using parental tools is just as important for families with high schoolers at home, to help ensure they are set up for safer experiences online." It was important that parents of teenagers were using safety tools, not just parents of primary school-aged children. She advised parents to speak to their children regularly about how to stay safe online, set up accounts and devices together and establish clear rules about the use of technology as well as parental safety tools. "Parental tools should be a vital part of any family's online safety strategy," she said. More than half of Australian parents are not using online safety parental controls, new research provided exclusively to ACM has found. The survey of 1007 Australian parents of children aged 17 and younger, commissioned by the photo and video app Snapchat, examined awareness levels, uptake and attitudes towards online safety parental tools. It found that while 82 per cent of Australian parents are aware of online safety parental controls, 57 per cent are not using them on apps and online platforms. The survey found that when Australian parents do use parental tools, the overwhelming majority find them helpful. Of the 66 per cent that have used online safety parental controls, 92 per cent say they help them keep their family safer online, and 93 per cent would recommend their use to other families. Parents of teens were less likely to have used parental tools and controls than those with children 5-12 years old. The research comes amid an under-16s social media ban in Australia, which will come into effect later this year. The laws will capture platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit and X (formerly Twitter). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at the time that social media is doing "social harm" to young Australians, and he was calling time on it. "The safety and mental health of our young people has to be a priority, and my government will do all that we can to protect our young Australians, but also to provide support for parents and teachers who are dealing with these issues. Snapchat's global safety head Jacqueline Beauchere rejected the ban in August 2024, saying the decision was one that should be left to families. "Arguably, a young person could potentially be a bit more mature at 16 than they are at 13, but that is for an individual family to decide, and that's based on a number of factors," she told AAP. "These decisions really need to be made as a family unit with, hopefully, parents involved or other caregivers or guardians or other trusted adults, to really know if that young person is ready to be part of social media." Cybersafety consultant Susan MacLean said parents were grappling with a digital world that many didn't experience when they themselves were growing up. Ms MacLean said while awareness of parental controls was growing, too many Australian parents still aren't utilising the options available to them. "When young people become teenagers, often getting a mobile phone for the first time, their use of technology can increase substantially," she said. "So using parental tools is just as important for families with high schoolers at home, to help ensure they are set up for safer experiences online." It was important that parents of teenagers were using safety tools, not just parents of primary school-aged children. She advised parents to speak to their children regularly about how to stay safe online, set up accounts and devices together and establish clear rules about the use of technology as well as parental safety tools. "Parental tools should be a vital part of any family's online safety strategy," she said.
