Online Safety

We want Leaptel services to be used in a way that keeps people safe and informed online. On this page you will find options for online content filters, tools for families, and where to go if you need to report harmful or illegal content. 

Online services are part of everyday life for adults and children. With that comes the risk of seeing content that is inappropriate, harmful, or illegal. 

Some practical steps you can take at home to keep users safe include: 

• Talk regularly with children and young people about what they do online and who they interact with. 
• Keep shared devices in common areas where you can supervise use. 
• Help children choose sensible screen names that do not reveal personal details. 
• Set family rules about what can be shared online, who can be added as a “friend”, and what to do if something online feels unsafe or upsetting. 
• Consider using parental control and content filtering tools, alongside security software, to limit access to inappropriate content. 

What are filters?

Filters are tools that help you control what can be accessed over your internet connection. They can: 

• Block or allow certain websites or categories of content. 
• Apply different settings for adults and children. 
• Limit internet use to certain times of day. 

Filters are one way to reduce the risk of exposure to inappropriate or illegal material. No filter is perfect, so they work best when combined with supervision and open conversations, especially with children. 

Family Friendly Filter program

To help families choose tools that meet recognised standards, the Australian Telecommunications Alliance operates the Family Friendly Filter (FFF) program. Filters certified under this program meet criteria set out in the Internet Carriage Services Online Safety Codes and are independently assessed. 

Certified filters are grouped into levels that match different age groups. For example: 

• Filters recommended for children under 10 years 
• Filters recommended for children aged 10 to 15 
• Filters recommended for older teenagers and adults 

You can learn more about the Family Friendly Filter program, see the current list of certified products, and choose a filter that suits your household on the Australian Telecommunications Alliance’s Family Friendly Filter page. 

When you use Leaptel services, you must not create, host, or share online material that breaks Australian law. This includes material that is illegal under Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation, and content that is prohibited under the Online Safety Act 2021. 

Our Customer Relationship Agreement and Acceptable Use Policy set out more detail about how our services can be used. If you are unsure whether particular content or activity is acceptable, you should seek independent legal advice. 

You have the right to complain about online content that you believe is offensive, harmful, or illegal, including material that may be classified as Class 1 or Class 2 under the Online Safety Codes. 

You can: 

• Report content directly to the website, app or service that is hosting it, using their report or complaint tools. 
• Make a complaint to the eSafety Commissioner if the content is serious, harmful or illegal, or if a complaint to a service remains unresolved. 

You can access eSafety’s online content complaint forms here: eSafety online content complaints. 

The eSafety Commissioner is Australia’s independent regulator for online safety. The office is responsible for helping reduce serious online harm, including tackling illegal and harmful content, online abuse, and some forms of cyber bullying. 

eSafety can investigate certain types of harmful or illegal online material and, in some cases, require online services to remove it or take other action under the Online Safety Act. The eSafety website also provides practical guidance, resources and reporting tools for children, parents, carers and other internet users who want to stay safer online or make a complaint. 

For more advice and resources on how to stay safe online, you can visit the eSafety Commissioner’s website.