Bardon Neighbourhood Watch 4065

29/03/2026

12/12/2025

Day 5 - Teen Social Media Safety & the New Under-16s Ban 🇦🇺📵

This holiday season, online safety for teens is front of mind — especially now that Australia’s world-first ban on social media for children under 16 has taken effect as of 10 December 2025.

Under the new law:

🚫 Kids under 16 can no longer hold accounts on major platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, X and more.

📱 Platforms must verify age and deactivate existing underage accounts — or face fines of up to nearly AUD 50 million for failing to comply.
ABC

📊 The goal is to reduce exposure to cyberbullying, harmful content, grooming and other online harms before age 16.

While this ban changes the landscape, offline safety planning is still essential. Here’s how parents can support teens’ wellbeing and online safety:

🔒 1. Privacy Settings & Access

• Help teens understand why privacy settings matter — even on allowed platforms or while browsing public content.
• Turn off location tags and restrict who can message or view their profile.

💬 2. Open Conversations

• Talk regularly about online behaviour — likes, shares, comments and followers — and how that affects safety.
• Let them know they can come to you if something makes them uncomfortable.

👥 3. Trusted Connections Only

• Encourage only connecting with people they really know.
• Be cautious with new followers or friend requests.

🚫 4. Spotting Risky Interactions

• Teach them to recognise grooming behaviours — for example, overly personal questions from strangers or requests to move chats off-platform.
• If something doesn’t feel right, block and report.

🛑 5. Reporting Unsafe Content

• Remind them how to report harassment or exploitation in apps that still allow viewing without accounts.
• For serious issues (including grooming or child sexual exploitation), visit www.accce.gov.au/report

This new ban is part of Australia’s effort to reduce online harm, but it doesn’t replace ongoing conversations, supervision and education about staying safe online.

Empowering teens to think critically about what they post and who they interact with continues to be one of the best protections. 👍

11/12/2025

Day 4 - Beware of Christmas Charity Scams 🎄❤️

The holiday season brings out the best in people — but unfortunately, it also attracts scammers who prey on generosity.

Fake charities often appear in the lead-up to Christmas, using emotional stories or urgent pleas to trick people into donating.

Here’s how to protect yourself and ensure your kindness reaches the right people:

🔍 Verify the charity before donating

• Check the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) register: https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities
• Search the organisation’s name online along with words like “scam” or “review.”
• Be cautious of charities with very similar names to legitimate ones.

🚫 Beware of pressure tactics

• Scammers may claim there’s an “emergency fundraising deadline” or offer “exclusive matching donations.”
• Genuine charities will never pressure you to donate immediately.

💳 Never donate via gift cards, crypto, or direct bank transfers

• Reputable charities use secure online payment methods.
• If someone asks for unusual payment types — that’s a red flag.

📞 Watch out for unsolicited phone calls or texts

• A scammer may claim to represent a well-known organisation.
• Hang up and call the charity using their official listed number to check.

🌐 Double-check websites before you give

• Fake charity sites often look convincing but have slightly altered URLs.
• Look for secure website indicators (https, padlock icon).

✉️ Be careful with door-knockers

• Ask for official identification.
• Never feel obligated to donate on the spot.
• Consider donating directly through the charity’s main website instead.

Your generosity should support people in need — not criminals.

Stay vigilant and give safely this Christmas. ❤️🎄

10/12/2025

Day 3 - Keeping Your Christmas Decorations Safe 🎅✨

Outdoor lights, projectors and inflatables bring festive cheer — but they can also attract unwanted attention.

Here are some simple ways to keep your decorations secure this Christmas:

🔒 Secure items with cable ties or padlocks

• Use heavy-duty cable ties to attach lights to gutters, fences or railings
• For higher-value items (like projectors), use small padlocks or security wire
• Makes grab-and-run theft much harder

🔌 Use smart plugs or timers

• Schedule lights to turn on and off automatically
• Prevents decorations from staying lit all night
• Helps you monitor activity if your smart plug sends alerts

📍 Anchor inflatables to fixed points

• Use ground stakes, sandbags or weights
• Run the tether ropes through secure anchor points (not just the inflatable loops)
• Keeps them from being lifted or dragged away

🎥 Add a visible camera or video doorbell

• Most thieves avoid well-monitored homes
• Even a basic motion-activated camera can deter interference

✨ Mark valuable items

• Use UV pens or engravers to put identifying marks on projectors or displays
• Helps police identify stolen items if recovered

Small changes make a big difference — and help keep the magic of Christmas safe for everyone. 🎄🔒

09/12/2025

Day 2 - Travelling This Christmas? 🚗✈️

Sharing your holiday adventures online can be fun — but it can also signal to thieves that your home is empty.

Here’s how to stay safe:

🔒 Avoid posting your travel plans before you leave
🔒 Don’t share your location in real time

If you do want to post while you’re away, do it safely:

✨ Turn off location services for photos
✨ Share “close friends only” stories instead of public posts
✨ Post photos that don’t reveal your accommodation, room numbers or specific locations
✨ Delay posts by a few hours so you’re not showing exactly where you are
✨ Avoid showing expensive items you’ve brought with you

Small changes = big improvements in safety.
Your home security starts with what you don’t share.

05/12/2025

Day 1 - Keep Your Christmas Parcels Safe 🎁📦

With online shopping peaking this time of year, parcel theft is on the rise.

Keep your deliveries secure by:

✅ Using parcel lockers
✅ Requesting signature on delivery
✅ Asking a trusted neighbour to collect parcels
Unattended packages make easy targets — plan ahead and keep your gifts safe!

21/11/2025

14/11/2025

Consider registering your CCTV footage with the Community Camera Alliance with the Queensland Police Service.

02/10/2025

Preventing crime often starts with being aware of what’s happening around us.

Some things to watch out for in your neighbourhood:

🚶‍♂️ Unusual loitering around homes or cars.

🚗 Slow-moving vehicles circling the same street.

🎒 Strangers looking into yards, sheds, or letterboxes.

If something feels “off,” it probably is.

Trust your instincts.

👉 Report non-urgent matters to 131 444
👉 Call 000 in an emergency

Communities that stay alert help stop crime before it happens.

21/09/2025

Only 46% of Australians have a lockable gate. With many tools, bikes and other valuables often stored outside, do some Home 'Crim'provement by adding a padlock or lock to your side entrances.

Secure Score +4

*Average Secure Score data from 2021 - July2025