The Government's Ban: A Privacy Nightmare
The biggest flaw in the current law is that it forces every single person in Australia—adults, kids, and even tourists—to hand over sensitive ID to tech giants just to use an app.
Replaces Parents
A blunt, one-size-fits-all government mandate that removes parental choice and judgment.
Privacy Risk for All
Creates massive databases of IDs, a prime target for hackers and data breaches.
Easy to Bypass
Easily defeated with VPNs or by fooling unreliable AI age verification checks.
A Blunt Prohibition
Punishes all kids by locking them out, rather than teaching them to navigate the digital world safely.
The Alternative: The Parent-Child Digital Safety Link
The PCDSL is a secure, opt-in system that creates a partnership between parents, the government, and online platforms. It's not a ban; it's a sophisticated set of tools that lets parents parent effectively.
A Fundamental Shift in Approach
The Old Way: Govt's Ban
Universal, mandatory control that replaces parental authority and forces everyone to prove their age to private companies.
The PCDSL Way: Parent-Led
Targeted, voluntary supervision that empowers parents who choose to get involved, preserving privacy for everyone else.
How It Works: A Simple 3-Step Process
Create Your Secure Account
On your own device, create a single ‘Digital Safety Link’ account via myGov with a one-time identity check.
Register Your Child's Device
Install the official app on your child's new device, sign in, and allocate it to your child. This locks it into "Child Mode."
Supervise from Your Hub
That's it. Any new account on that device now appears in your parental hub, ready for you to manage.
The Parent's Toolbox: Real Tools for Real Safety
📊Central Dashboard
See every social media and gaming account your child has on their registered devices, all in one place.
➕Proactive Account Creation
Pre-create safe, supervised accounts for your child on multiple platforms at once with a single click.
🔔Real-Time Alerts
Get notified instantly if your child tries to create a new, unapproved account on their device.
🛠️Intervention Tools
Block users, report content, and reply to comments *as a parent* (your identity is always clear).
📈Real Accountability
Platform responses to your reports are logged with the eSafety Commissioner, creating a performance record.
💬Parent-to-Parent Chat
Securely and anonymously contact other parents through the hub to resolve issues like bullying.
Protecting Children: Built-in Failsafes
Confidential 'Safe Space' App
The app on the child's device has a discreet function giving them a direct line to Kids Helpline and other support services.
A Path to Dispute
A child can confidentially report to the eSafety Commissioner if the parental link is being used abusively.
Automatic Freedom at 16
On their 16th birthday, all parental supervision and access is automatically and permanently terminated.
Head-to-Head: A Clearer Choice
| Feature | Government Ban | PCDSL Framework |
|---|---|---|
| Parental Control | LOW | HIGH |
| Privacy Protection | LOW | HIGH |
| Effectiveness | LOW | HIGH |
| Circumvention Risk | HIGH | LOW |