Tablets

A tablet is a flat, portable device that uses touchscreen technology and sits somewhere between a smartphone and a computer in terms of functionality.

While tablets can be entertaining and educational for kids, careful monitoring and open communication is important, especially around the use of apps and access to online content that you may not want them to see.

Age guide

Most child-friendly tablets have a recommended age of 3+ years and offer age-appropriate educational apps and good parental controls. Consider your child's developmental stage and what parental controls are available for other tablets.

What to look out for

• Children may be unintentionally exposed to content you might not want them to see or is not age appropriate. Be aware of how much time your child spends on their tablet. Encourage a healthy balance between tablet use and other activities like spending time with family or going outdoors.
• The amount of time your child spends on their tablet may take them away from outdoor activities or time with family.
• Social networking or messaging apps downloaded on tablets may allow content sharing, messaging/online chat, photo or video sharing, video calling and live streaming.
• Many apps and tablets allow you to share your location at a point in time or in real-time.   
• Some apps downloaded on tablets may include in-app purchases.
• If the wireless connection or information storage is inadequately secured, data may be accessed by other people and shared without consent.

How to stay safe

• Help your child to set a strong passcode.
• Consider using parental controls to block or restrict specific apps, features and access to inappropriate content.
• Set boundaries around the times and areas in the house headphones and headsets can be used.  
• Install software updates as they are released.
• Disable location services when they are not needed and be aware of which apps have features that keep track of locations.
• Secure your home network. It’s important to change the default password that comes with your wi-fi modem or access point with a new password or passphrase to keep your devices secure.
• Don’t use ‘free’ or public wi-fi hotspots to send or check private or sensitive information.
• Only pair via Bluetooth with another device you are aware of and can control.
• Help make your child’s accounts private on social networking apps to avoid unwanted contact.
• Remain engaged in your child’s online lives and let them know you’ll be there to support them if something goes wrong online.