Online Safety Charter 

The Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum (the Museum) acknowledges the many risks associated with children and young people accessing content online, including breaches of privacy that may lead to fraud, identity theft and unauthorised access to personal information. Other risks include image-based abuse, cyberbullying, stalking and exposure to illicit materials.

As such the Museum requires that all employees to conduct themselves according to the highest standards of ethics, integrity and behaviour when interacting with children online, as well as implementing measures to protect them from potential misconduct from other parties. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, full compliance with all legal obligations imposed by statute or any other source of law. All staff of the company must hold a current Queensland With Children Checks.

This charter establishes the standards of behaviour that must be met by all employees when interacting with children online. Where these standards are not met, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. This charter applies to pre-recorded video content, live streams and video conferencing, live chat, comments, community platforms, social media and any other online interactions with children.

Breach of this charter will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or summary dismissal. In the case of any breach the appropriate authorities will be notified.

In order to protect the mental and physical well-being of children and young people, the following guidelines should be followed by all employees of the Museum in relation to online interactions with children:

• All presenting staff must hold current Queensland With Children Checks.
• Ensure that no inappropriate image(s), inappropriate video(s) or personal information is visible to the children. Inappropriate materials include content of a sexual, violent, dangerous or potentially harmful nature.
• Use appropriate language throughout the delivery. Employees are not to use profanities, sexually explicit language or offensive language.
• Employees are not to encourage dangerous acts that children can easily imitate. A warning not to perform dangerous activities or the need for professional or adult supervision must accompany the content presented.
• Employees must not engage in emotionally-distressing behaviour that would encourage cyberbullying, or target individuals for abuse, humiliation or violence.
• The same principles which regular child protection policy requires apply to interactions online. Where possible ensure any interactions or correspondence with children online are visible to two or more parties and recorded in an unalterable manner.
• Employees must not knowingly initiate first contact privately with children online via email, instant messaging apps or social media.
• While it is not always possible to discern the age of the sender simply by email address or account name. When interacting via email, always carbon copy the Museum email account when responding to emails from clients that are potentially children. Any direct or private interactions on social media or other online platforms must use official Museum accounts accessible by more than one employee.

Regarding the prevention of potential misconduct by other parties:

• A protocol is in place, in accordance with the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Act 2015, for any client or employee to report incidents relating to a child’s experience with other participants or the Museum’s employee. All reports will be reviewed and addressed by designated personnel.
• Look out for and minimise cyberbullying behaviour, take action and where possible, record (without identifiable images of individuals) and report incidents to designated personnel.
• Clearly outline expectations to the audience, and consequences of misconduct during online interactions with children.
• Any participation of children visible or audible to other parties must be voluntary and have consent from the child’s parent or legal guardian before featuring them in visual online content.
• Private interactions such as direct messaging without supervision will be disabled where possible or minimised.
• Where comments apply to online interactions with children, these shall be moderated to filter and review submissions and will be flagged and reported to designated personnel if deemed inappropriate.

If you would like further information about the Museum manages this Online Safety Charter, please contact the Collection Manager in writing:

Collection Manager

Lot 1 Dinosaur Drive

PO Box 408

Winton Qld 4735