The modern Australian child faces a unique mix of risks:
• Digital Exploitation: Predators are now using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in over one in four cases of image-based child sexual abuse, creating deepfakes and manipulative content.
• Silent Struggles: The number of young people aged 10-19 with eating disorders has doubled since 2012, now sitting at 27%.
• Physical Threats: The rates of road crash deaths among 15–24-year-olds remain a critical concern, with young adults accounting for 236 deaths in a single year.
This guidebook is born from the belief that prevention is always better than intervention. It bridges the gap between awareness and action, providing parents, carers, and educators with the tools and knowledge needed to have these essential conversations with their children. We aim to move beyond fear and empower you to build a robust safety net for your family
This guidebook provides practical conversation starters and prevention strategies across eight key areas:
• Protective Behaviours: The Foundation
• Bullying, Cyberbullying & Digital Life
• Drugs, Alcohol, Vaping & Emerging Threats
• Driver Safety & Passenger Responsibility
• Grooming, Exploitation & Online Safety
• Family Violence & Coercive Control
• Eating Disorders, Body Image & Mental Health
• Reality Check: AI & New Threats