Digital Child researchers join eSafety’s inaugural Parent Advisory Group

Deakin researchers from the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child join the eSafety Commissioner’s inaugural Parent Advisory Group.

The Parent Advisory Group has been established to provide expert feedback and advice to help inform eSafety’s approach to supporting families during a period of significant regulatory change as Australia implements its social media minimum age laws.

Centre Research Fellow Dr Andy Zhao will be the primary representative in the Group, with Chief Investigator Associate Professor Luci Pangrazio as the secondary representative.

The group brings together 12 organisations representing a diverse cross-section of Australian communities, including culturally and linguistically diverse families, First Nations peoples, regional and remote communities, people with a disability, LGBTIQ+ communities and families from low socio-economic backgrounds.

‘This is a timely and important initiative which supports parent-focused messaging about online safety and critical issues like the social media minimum age legislation,’ Dr Zhao said.

‘I will draw on findings and insights from research studies at the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child to inform eSafety’s communication strategies, especially in relation to families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.’

The Parent Advisory Group will provide eSafety with evidence-informed insights to strengthen engagement with parents and carers and help shape online safety resources.

The Parent Advisory Group will work with eSafety to:

• Shape eSafety’s parent messaging and provide evidence-informed insights, including information related to the social media minimum age legislation and other eSafety strategic priorities.
• Review and test resources, including the redevelopment of eSafety’s Online Safety Parent Guide, to ensure they are accessible and relevant for diverse parent and carer communities.
• Support network-building and resource distribution to reach hard-to-engage and priority parent and carer communities.

The group will serve in a voluntary capacity until 30 June 2026.