Supporting safe conversations with children and young people: A key step in keeping children and young people safe

We believe that creating safe environments for children begins with open, honest, and age-appropriate conversations. The National Office for Child Safety has released valuable guidance on Having Conversations that can help adults speak with children and young people in ways that promote trust, safety, and wellbeing.

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, carer, teacher, coach, or community leader, knowing how to talk to children about their safety can help protect them from harm and give them the confidence to speak up when something feels wrong.

The guide offers practical tips on:

• Creating a safe space where children feel comfortable and respected.
• Using simple, age-appropriate language to talk about personal safety.
• Listening without judgment, so children feel heard and validated.
• Being responsive to disclosures, including knowing what steps to take if a child tells you something concerning.

Talking with children about safety doesn't have to be overwhelming or intimidating. Even small, everyday conversations can build the trust and confidence needed for children to seek help if they need it. Importantly, these conversations should be ongoing—not just a one-time talk.

We encourage all adults in children’s lives to become familiar with these resources and take proactive steps to build supportive, safe relationships with the young people around them.

Conversation starters and opening lines to use with primary school aged children

It can help to talk with children and young people about what to do in unsafe situations and practise what they’d do and say. Here are questions you can use to start a conversation:

• What would you do if an adult or another child you knew and liked did something that made you feel worried or scared?
• What would you do if someone wanted to hug you but you didn’t want to?
• What would you do if someone you didn’t know wanted you to help them look for their dog?
• What would you do if someone you didn’t know started messaging you on social media, even if they said they were a child?
• What would you do if someone on the internet asked you to send photos of yourself or your private parts? And what if they said they would show the photos to someone else, asked you for money, or said they would hurt you or someone else if you didn’t send them photos?
• What would you do if someone touched your body in a way that you didn’t think was OK?

Conversation starters and opening lines to use with teenagers

It’s a good idea to talk with teenagers about what to do in unsafe situations. Here are questions you can use to start a conversation:

• What would you do if I wasn’t at school or training to collect you and someone you’ve only just met offers you a lift home?
• What would you do if you felt uncomfortable at a sleepover or in a public place?
• What would you do if an adult started paying lots of attention to you and giving you presents and money?
• What would you do if someone tried to touch you in a way you didn’t think was OK?

It’s also a good idea to talk about what unsafe online situations look like and how grooming happens online. For example, you could ask:

• How can you tell that someone on the internet is who they say they are?
• Why might strangers start talking to teenagers on the internet?
• What would you do if someone asked you to meet up with them or send them naked pictures? And what if they said they would show the photos to someone else, asked you for money, or said they would hurt you or someone else if you didn’t send them photos?

For more information and practical guidance on having conversations, visit the National Office for Child Safety's website.

Together, we can help every child feel safe, heard, and supported.

Taking action

Protecting children and teenagers means taking action. If you see or hear something that makes you concerned for their safety, don’t ignore it. As soon as you have any concerns, you must tell someone. Report concerns or get advice from the Strong Families Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line on 1800 000 123 or contact the police on 131 444. If the child or teenager is in immediate danger, call 000.

For more information on how to support children and young people’s safety, visit tellsomeone.tas.gov.au.

Resources:

Having conversations | National Office for Child Safety

Primary school-age children | National Office for Child Safety

Teenagers | National Office for Child Safety